Who Should I Start? Britain Covey or Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Monday, May 5, 4:12 PM

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Rams are signing former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey to a one-year contract. He spent the first three seasons of his career with the Eagles after signing with them as an undrafted free agent back in 2022. The 28-year-old appeared in four games with Philadelphia last season, hauling in 7-of-8 targets for 34 yards, and returned six punts on special teams for another 46. He hasn't played many offensive snaps during his time in the league, but he's been a sure-handed short-area target (79% catch rate) and a viable asset in the return game. The Rams have three quality starting wideouts in Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Tutu Atwell, so it seems unlikely Covey will make a mark in the offense, barring injuries. He should compete for snaps on special teams in 2025.

Saturday, August 24, 9:36 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette (ankle) left the team's preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills early on Saturday after landing awkwardly completing a catch in the second quarter. The 24-year-old hauled in 2-of-3 targets for 11 yards while contributing 27 yards on two punt returns and a field-flipping 46 yards on his lone kick return. Smith-Marsette was productive before he picked up the injury and is expected to be the team's returner this upcoming season. Barring the severity of his ankle issue, that could still be the case. It's a bit early to tell how impactful the NFL's new kickoff rules will be come the start of the regular season. However, fantasy managers may want to keep the Iowa product on their radar as a sneaky option, depending on how your league values return yards. His Yahoo! ADP is far down enough that he'd be best suited as a prospective waiver-wire add.