Who Should I Start? Calvin Ridley or Brian Thomas Jr.

Saturday, December 14, 12:21 PM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley enters the Week 15 matchup against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals as the WR28 in half-PPR points through 14 weeks of the season. He's coming off a seven-catch, 59-yard performance in last week's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in which he had 12 targets, just the second time all season he's seen double-digit looks. The efficiency has not been there (50.5% catch rate) in Tennessee's low-volume passing offense, which can make Ridley a very frustrating fantasy play. The 29-year-old is averaging 9.7 half-PPR points a game, which ranks 43rd among wideouts. The good news is he could have a boom week for fantasy managers on Sunday against a porous Bengals defense that has allowed 235.2 passing yards per game (sixth-most in the NFL). Ridley has opportunity, but he's also had fewer than 60 yards in three of his last four games. It's why he's a volatile WR2 for fantasy managers.

Friday, December 20, 11:38 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is a must-start in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders. In an otherwise awful year for the Jaguars offense, BTJ has been a lone bright spot. Last week against the New York Jets, he put up a whopping 10 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns, making him one of the top fantasy receivers on the week, all with backup Mac Jones under center instead of starter Trevor Lawrence. The Raiders serve as an even easier option for fantasy receivers than the Jets, so it isn't crazy to think BTJ has the potential for a repeat performance. Even with more realistic expectations, BTJ has the upside and floor of a WR1 in Week 16 against the Raiders.