Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or DeVonta Smith

Thursday, September 4, 2:14 PM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the team that he intends to retire ahead of Week 1, citing a lack of desire to continue playing. Cooper, who joined the Raiders this offseason in hopes of competing for a starting role, was listed behind rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. on the initial depth chart. The five-time Pro Bowler spent last season with the Browns and Bills, starting 10 of 14 games while recording 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper leaves the NFL after a decorated career, finishing with over 10,000 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns across stops with the Raiders, Cowboys, Browns, and Bills. His departure opens additional opportunities for Thornton and fellow rookie Jack Bech to carve out meaningful roles in the Raiders' passing game this season.

Friday, September 26, 4:48 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith recorded his first touchdown and his best fantasy outing so far this season against the Rams, and will try to string together a second strong game in a row as he faces Tampa Bay in Week 4. Philly's WRs did exactly as they're expected last Sunday, with A.J. Brown leading the way and Smith following closely behind with similarly solid numbers. Now managers just have to see if this wideout duo can continue to not just coexist, but thrive next to one another. So far this season, the Buccaneers have not allowed two receivers to have nine or more targets in the same game like Brown and Smith accomplished against Los Angeles. It's a shaky matchup against a good defense, but Smith has finally earned some fantasy trust and should be considered a high-end WR3 this week.