Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Adam Thielen

Wednesday, November 26, 12:45 AM

Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks signed with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday and figures to immediately factor into the Bills' plan at wide receiver in some capacity. The Bills have been tinkering with their wide receivers on the roster over the past few weeks, trying to find the right combination on the field. They signed the former Buffalo Bill Gabe Davis back to the roster along with former Kansas City Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman, but then he was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury. Second-year wideout Keon Coleman has served as a healthy inactive for the past two games for disciplinary reasons. Cooks will have an opportunity to make an impact, although it will take him some time to get up to speed. The veteran hasn't shown much in the past two seasons with the Saints and Cowboys, but he isn't too far removed from a solid 2023 season with the Cowboys, where he recorded 54 receptions for 657 yards and eight touchdowns on eight targets in 16 games. Cooks could be worth monitoring over the next few weeks to see how he is integrated into the offense.

Friday, December 26, 8:58 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen caught all four of his targets for 49 yards last week and is in line for an expanded role against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. While the Steelers may choose to rest some starters if the Green Bay Packers defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Thielen should see the field as a necessary weapon with DK Metcalf beginning a two-game suspension. That said, the Browns have been stout against opposing wideouts all season, and Pittsburgh may not need to lean heavily on the passing game in this matchup. If the Ravens win on Saturday, Thielen could provide sneaky flex value in deeper fantasy formats, but the 35-year-old will be difficult to trust in most leagues.