Who Should I Start? Casey Washington or Arian Smith

Saturday, September 13, 10:09 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington (concussion) did not pass the league's concussion protocol and will be inactive on Sunday against the Vikings. The 24-year-old had his best game in the NFL last week, hauling in three of his six targets for 33 yards, but suffered a concussion during the fourth quarter of the contest. The University of Illinois product's six targets were fourth-most on the team and more than veteran Ray-Ray McCloud III's five targets, potentially signaling a changing of the guard for the third wide receiver spot in the Atlanta offense, but it was likely more a product of Darnell Mooney's absence in Week 1 than anything else. With Mooney expected to play in Week 2 but with Washington out, we'll have to see how things shake out in Week 3 in order to get a better feel for Washington's role in this offense. For now, Washington can be left to the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.

Saturday, September 20, 7:53 AM

New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith does not project to be a factor this Sunday despite a solid matchup against the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie wideout picked up a sizable increase in playing time from his first NFL action in Week 1, racking up nearly 50% of the team's snaps (47%) after a measly 10% the week prior. Fellow wideout Josh Reynold's (hamstring) absence from the game was the primary catalyst behind the occurrence, but that will be true again in Week 3. The former Georgia Bulldog is uber-explosive and offers a similar athletic profile to teammate Garrett Wilson. However, targets will be challenging to come by with Wilson lined up across the field in a Jets' offense that prefers to keep the ball on the ground. He lands as RotoBaller's PPR WR121 in Week 3.