Who Should I Start? Calvin Austin III or Andrei Iosivas

Friday, September 5, 7:17 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III is off the injury report and ready to go for a Week 1 bout with the New York Jets. Austin, who missed the entire preseason with an abdominal injury, is listed as Pittsburgh's WR2 on the depth chart and should earn some opportunities in an offense that lacks proven commodities at the position outside of DK Metcalf. Austin was efficient with his targets in 2024 and should get improved QB play with Aaron Rodgers under center, but it's a stretch to consider him a fantasy option, especially in this matchup. The Jets were stout against opposing receivers last season, and this contest is expected to be a low-scoring affair. Austin's utilization will be worth keeping an eye on, but the 26-year-old is just a dynasty or deep-league bench stash for the time being.

Saturday, September 6, 1:42 PM

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas finished last season with 36 catches for 479 yards and six touchdowns, all a career-high. He combined for three touchdowns in Weeks 2 and 3, although he would add just three more throughout the remainder of the 2024 campaign. Granted, he was able to take advantage of extra work, considering Tee Higgins was limited to only 12 contests. Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are both healthy for the Week 1 showdown with the Cleveland Browns, meaning Iosivas is expected to have trouble being involved at a level that justifies his presence in any fantasy lineup. That's not to say he won't sneak in a touchdown grab (he's been known to do that every so often). However, he's not a trustworthy starting fantasy option. That's not going to change unless Higgins or Chase goes down with an injury.