Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Jameson Williams

Thursday, December 18, 4:18 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) has been "extremely distant" from the team since suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 7 of the 2024 season, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. The 27-year-old has not played a game since that point. The 49ers voided guarantees in his contract for 2026 and placed him on the reserve/left squad list on Saturday, officially ending his 2025 season. All signs seem to indicate that Aiyuk and the 49ers are likely to go their separate ways this offseason. In his last fully healthy season in 2023, Aiyuk recorded 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns on 105 targets. He has a chance to get back to his superstar heights if he can get fully healthy and find the right team. However, his health and the way his current situation in San Francisco has unfolded may bring about question marks for dynasty league fantasy managers.

Saturday, January 3, 3:14 PM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams put up a disappointing 37 yards in a Week 17 loss to the Vikings, but any managers who survived that outing and are still playing for a Week 18 championship can start him with confidence in another divisional matchup with the Bears. Chicago has allowed more fantasy points above expectation to the receiver position than every team except the Cowboys, and Williams could find himself as the focal point of the Lions' passing offense on Sunday. Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee, ankle) was clearly banged up near the end of that loss in Minnesota, and he carries a questionable tag into the season finale. With nothing left to play for, it would come as no surprise for Detroit to rest its two-time All-Pro, clearing a path for Williams to get back on track after two subpar performances. Williams is RotoBaller's WR9 for the week.