Who Should I Start? Christian Kirk or Deebo Samuel Sr.

Friday, January 16, 3:12 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk posted an underwhelming regular season in his first year with the team, recording 28 receptions for 239 yards and a touchdown on 52 targets across 13 games played. However, the 29-year-old broke out with a dominant performance in Houston's Wild Card Weekend win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, hauling in eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. With star Texans wideout Nico Collins (concussion) exiting the game in the second half after suffering a concussion, Kirk stepped into a more prominent role in his team's offense. Collins has not practiced this week and is reportedly trending towards missing Houston's Divisional Round matchup against the New England Patriots. As a result, Kirk could see another week as the primary target-earner from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. If Collins is ruled out, fantasy managers should view Kirk as the top wide receiver option in Houston for the Divisional Round.

Wednesday, December 24, 9:54 AM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. has been held under 50 yards in three straight games and hasn't found the end zone since Week 11. Samuel has exceeded 50 receiving yards only twice over the past nine games. The former San Francisco 49er draws a potential get-right spot on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys, who have struggled to defend the pass. Dallas has allowed the most passing yards per game and the most PPR points per game to wide receivers this season. Washington's pass-catchers could take a hit for fantasy with quarterback Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) uncertain to play after missing consecutive practices to begin the week, opening the door for journeyman Josh Johnson to make his first start since 2021. Samuel currently ranks as RotoBaller's WR29 in PPR leagues in Week 17.