Who Should I Start? Calvin Austin III or Jack Bech

Monday, January 12, 6:32 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III stepped up with DK Metcalf on suspension in the team's Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens, which helped them win the AFC North division. Austin caught three of his seven targets for 55 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was the 26-year-old's third touchdown of the year and his first since back on Sept. 21 in the win over the New England Patriots. The week prior, with Metcalf out due to suspension, Austin caught his only target for an eight-yard gain. His touchdown catch in Week 18 against the Ravens came with help from cornerback Chidobe Awuzie slipping to leave him wide open. Austin had just 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular-season games, so he wasn't really on the radar in 12-team fantasy leagues. With Metcalf returning from his suspension in the Wild-Card game on Monday night against the Houston Texans, we aren't expecting much from Austin against the No. 1 defense in the NFL.

Friday, February 13, 3:38 PM

A second-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech was viewed as a potential breakout candidate heading into his rookie season. However, the 23-year-old struggled in his first NFL campaign, hauling in just 20 receptions for 224 yards and zero touchdowns on 29 targets across 16 games played. On the bright side, Bech was more productive down the stretch of the season, after Las Vegas traded away veteran wideout Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline. Across his last five games of 2025, Bech recorded 12 catches for 132 yards on 17 targets. Outside of star tight end Brock Bowers and any possible 2026 draft day additions, no dominant pass-catchers are standing in the way of Bech earning more playing time and targets. The Raiders may also have a talent infusion under center, as Las Vegas is widely expected to take Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. Still, Bech did little as a rookie to establish himself as an up-and-coming star, and his fantasy stock in dynasty leagues is trending downward after his underwhelming rookie season.