Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Terry McLaurin

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, October 17, 12:32 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) is out for Sunday's divisional game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. There was optimism that McLaurin might return to action this weekend for the first time since injuring his quad in Week 3 when he was limited in Wednesday's practice. However, the 30-year-old was downgraded to a DNP on Thursday and will be held out for a fourth straight game. Fantasy managers need to keep him on their benches. Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel) has already missed two practices this week and could also be in question to play against Dallas. Washington placed Noah Brown (groin, knee) on Injured Reserve this week, which is why they added former Titans first-round wideout Treylon Burks to their practice squad on Thursday. With McLaurin officially out and Samuel questionable, more targets could be coming for Luke McCaffrey, rookie Jaylin Lane, and tight end Zach Ertz.