Who Should I Start? Brandon Aiyuk or Travis Hunter

Wednesday, January 21, 3:30 PM

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday that "it's safe to say" that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), who missed the entire 2025 season, has "played his last snap as a Niner," according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The 27-year-old has been trying to get the 49ers to release him for a while, and it was essentially a done deal when the team voided guarantees in his contract. An official transaction releasing Aiyuk will probably come in the weeks following the Super Bowl. The former 25th overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 before signing an extension with the team before the 2024 campaign. Aiyuk wasn't living up to expectations that year before tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 7. In addition to concerns about whether he can return to his pre-injury form, Aiyuk's fantasy value going forward will depend largely on where he ends up.

Friday, February 13, 4:44 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars two-way player Travis Hunter (knee) is expected to be 100% healthy for Week 1 of the 2026 season this fall, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network, although his usage will change a lot. Hunter's rookie season ended early due to an LCL knee injury that required surgery, and he finished with 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown on 45 targets in seven games played. Wolfe reports that the Jaguars plan to use the former Heisman Trophy winner as a full-time cornerback and part-time wide receiver in 2026. In 2025, Hunter played more than double his snaps on offense than as a defensive back. Jacksonville thinks Hunter can be an elite cornerback while also being an impact player on offense, although this news is going to drastically affect his fantasy value in a negative way entering Year 2.