Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Adam Thielen

Saturday, October 11, 12:12 PM

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks has recorded 12 catches for 103 yards on 16 targets across five games so far this season. The 32-year-old has served as the team's WR3 alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but if Week 5 is any indication, Cooks could be losing playing time. In Week 5, Cooks played just five more offensive snaps than Saints wideout Devaughn Vele after playing 56 more offensive snaps than Vele in Week 4. In Week 6, the Saints will take on the New England Patriots, who rank fifth-worst in yards per pass attempt allowed (8.2) through five games. Still, Cooks appears unlikely to see enough target volume to be fantasy relevant and could be losing playing time altogether in New England. Cooks should remain off the radar of fantasy managers in Week 6.

Friday, September 26, 4:50 PM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen should be kept out of starting lineups when his team takes on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Ireland. Now that receiver Jordan Addison (suspension) is back in the fold, Thielen is likely to see a significant decrease in snaps. Even with high snap rates in the first three weeks, Thielen caught a meager two passes. At this point, it's fair to wonder if he'll earn more snaps or targets than fellow receiver Jalen Nailor, to say nothing of Addison, top receiver Justin Jefferson, and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Given his lack of production and his situation on the depth chart, Thielen can be sent to waiver wires in standard redraft leagues.