Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Malik Washington

Saturday, September 6, 11:24 AM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard can't be trusted in fantasy for this week's home tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lazard enters his third season with the Jets, a member of the team by way of longtime ex-teammate Aaron Rodgers. He was productive early in 2024, but fell victim to a chest injury and struggled to produce after the team acquired star wide receiver Davante Adams at the halfway point. Adams is gone, but Lazard still occupies the WR3 role on the team behind Garrett Wilson and first-year Jet Josh Reynolds. Furthermore, New York's projected propensity to run the ball could leave targets outside of Wilson sparse, and running back Breece Hall is a threat through the air, too. The former Green Bay Packer's standing in the pecking order - and an overall smaller passing pie - leave him on the outside looking in regarding the Jets' passing attack for now. He's RotoBaller's PPR WR114 for his outing with the Steelers.

Saturday, September 6, 9:50 AM

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington is set to start the season as the team's third receiver behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The second-year receiver could be in for a more involved role in 2025 after catching just 26 passes for 223 yards as a rookie. Washington was Miami's sixth-round pick out of Virginia and was able to work extensively with starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this training camp and preseason, while Hill and Waddle dealt with injuries. Washington showed his playmaking ability in the return game last year, and offensive coordinator Frank Smith praised his growth and understanding of the offense over the offseason. He's only the WR102 in RotoBaller's Week 1 Rankings, so he shouldn't be starting in any format yet. However, he is definitely a player to keep an eye on and possibly stash from waiver wires since he brings a lot of upside if he secures a big role in Miami's offense.