Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or DeVonta Smith

Tuesday, October 28, 9:53 PM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard has seen minimal usage so far this season, recording seven catches for 45 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets across six games played. However, Lazard got a chance to play 78% of New York's offensive snaps in Week 8 due to injuries to top Jets wideouts Garrett Wilson (knee) and Josh Reynolds (hip). Wilson is expected to return in Week 10 following the team's Week 9 bye, but Reynolds must miss at least three more games on Injured Reserve. Still, Lazard's lack of production to this point makes him difficult for fantasy managers to rely upon. Even with Wilson and Reynolds sidelined in Week 8, Lazard recorded one catch for five yards in a game where the Jets scored 39 points. Lazard should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

Thursday, November 6, 3:19 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith caught 15 of his 20 targets for 267 yards and a touchdown in the two games before the team's Week 9 bye. With fellow wideout A.J. Brown (hamstring) out in the Week 8 win over the New York Giants, Smith led the team in catches (six), targets (nine), and receiving yards (84). The 26-year-old is a must-start regardless in fantasy football lineups, even if Brown can return on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers. But if Brown misses a second straight game, Smith will have WR1 upside in an Eagles passing game that was looking much better before the bye. Through the first nine weeks of the 2025 season, Smith has caught 44 passes for 588 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets. Keep him locked into your starting lineups this week despite a challenging matchup on the road at Lambeau Field on Monday.