Who Should I Start? Allen Lazard or Rashod Bateman

Sunday, September 14, 12:47 PM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard will make his 2025 debut in Week 2 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday after he was a healthy scratch in the season-opening loss last Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lazard might only be active because Josh Reynolds is out with a hamstring injury. Although it's notable for New York's passing attack, we wouldn't recommend the 29-year-old as a streaming option this weekend, even in deep fantasy leagues. Garrett Wilson will continue to draw the majority of aerial targets from quarterback Justin Fields. Lazard, who has struggled with drops in his two seasons with the Jets, will be competing for targets with Tyler Johnson mostly. Last year in New York, Lazard bounced back from a rough 2023 campaign to catch 37 passes for 530 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games (10 starts).

Friday, September 12, 11:12 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman didn't join in on the scoring in Week 1 despite the team hanging 40 points against the Buffalo Bills. Despite seeing a new career high almost across the board last season, Bateman is the definition of boom-or-bust when it comes to fantasy purposes. That's personified in the two matchups against the Cleveland Browns last season, where he posted one reception for 28 yards in Week 8, and then had five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown in Week 18. He's still a threat to go for a long touchdown, but he's a big risk as a flex play for those that aren't in deeper fantasy leagues.