Who Should I Start? Brandon Powell or Darius Slayton

Wednesday, August 7, 9:20 AM

Minnesota Vikings wide receivers Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell were listed as co-starters in the No. 3 role on the team's first unofficial depth chart. The wideout spot behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison is open following the departure of K.J. Osborn, and the pair of pass-catchers are the prime candidates to fill that gap. Nailor, a sixth-round pick out of Michigan State in 2022, has tallied 12 receptions for 208 yards and one touchdown through his first 21 NFL games. Powell, an undrafted free agent in 2018, has hauled in 76 receptions for 678 yards and three touchdowns in 55 games with the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, and Vikings. It will be interesting to see who comes out of the camp battle victorious, but neither is likely to have much fantasy value in an offense led by Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy. However, one of the two wideouts could have deep-league value early in the season if Addison is suspended following his misdemeanor DUI charge, especially since tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is likely to miss the start of the regular season.

Thursday, November 21, 5:27 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (concussion) is stacking good days coming out of the bye week, practicing in full for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Slayton suffered a concussion in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and didn't travel to Germany the following week in the overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. Last week's bye looks like it did Slayton some good, too, and he should be expected to return to the field this Sunday to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 27-year-old should return to starting three-wide sets alongside rookie Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson, although now he'll be taking passes from quarterback Tommy Devito after Daniel Jones' benching. That's bad news for Slayton's fantasy upside, making him more of a WR5/flex in deeper leagues.