Who Should I Start? Cedric Tillman or Bucky Irving

Saturday, December 20, 6:49 AM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman surprised fantasy managers by quickly clearing the league's concussion protocol before the team's Week 15 loss against the Chicago Bears. However, Tillman only saw six snaps, ran just one route, and did not see a target in the Windy City, again surprising fantasy managers, but in a different way. The third-year wideout was not listed on the injury report heading into Week 16 at home against the Buffalo Bills, but Tillman is on the fringe of fantasy relevance. Tillman has failed to score double-digit PPR points or see more than four targets since Week 2, despite having a 64% snap share and 68% route participation rate. Even though the anticipated game script against the pass-funnel Bills in Week 16 is likely to benefit Tillman. Still, he is difficult to trust in the fantasy playoffs and is mainly a flyer at best in deep leagues.

Wednesday, December 17, 10:13 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving took on the majority of the workload in Week 15, totaling just 71 scrimmage yards on 17 attempts. Since returning from shoulder and foot injuries in Week 13, Irving has totaled 233 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 53 attempts, averaging 13.4 PPR points per game. While he started the season as the primary workhorse in this Buccaneers' offense, Irving has been limited to just 54% of the snaps, while backups Rachaad White (43% and Sean Tucker (14%) have been factors. Irving faces the Carolina Panthers defense in Week 16, which has allowed the tenth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. In his only two games against the Panthers in his career, he has had over 185 scrimmage yards in both outings. In a must-win game for the Buccaneers and with his favorable history against Carolina, look for Irving to unleash in Week 16.