Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or James Cook

Tuesday, December 16, 10:48 AM

The New York Jets are releasing wide receiver Allen Lazard, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports. Lazard hasn't played a significant role for the Jets this season, collecting 10 catches for 70 yards on 18 targets in 10 games. His snap share dipped to just 22.4% over the past three games after averaging 45.7% over his first seven games. The 29-year-old wideout was passed on the depth chart by trade-deadline acquisitions Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III, who both present more youth and upside at the WR position. Lazard will likely be scooped by another team in the coming days, but he can be ignored in fantasy football.

Tuesday, January 13, 7:00 PM

After finishing the regular season with an NFL-best 1,621 rushing yards, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook had an underwhelming outing in his first game of the postseason. The 26-year-old was held to just 46 rushing yards on 15 carries and five receiving yards on two catches by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cook's regular-season track record should afford him the benefit of the doubt from fantasy managers. However, he will face another very difficult run defense in the Divisional round when Buffalo travels to Denver to take on the Broncos. The Broncos defense finished the regular season ranked third in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (3.9) and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns allowed (11). Additionally, Buffalo's already depleted pass-catching corps lost another two wide receivers in Gabe Davis (knee) and Tyrell Shavers (knee), who both suffered season-ending knee injuries in the Wild Card round. As a result, Denver could be even more geared up to stop Cook and take away the run. Cook remains a high-end running back option, but fantasy managers may want to downgrade expectations heading into the Divisional round.