Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel Sr.

Tuesday, December 9, 2:19 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp finished Week 14 as the WR19 in half-PPR formats, but it came largely on the back of a walk-in touchdown that helped to mask his low volume. Kupp has rarely been taken off the field this year, but in a passing offense run almost entirely through Jaxon Smith-Njigba, he has failed to earn more than four targets in six of his last seven outings, and Sunday's touchdown marked only his second in a Seahawks uniform. Across 12 games this season, he has topped 40 receiving yards only three times, and only once since Week 6. While fantasy managers may have relied on him throughout the year as an injury or bye week replacement, it is unlikely he finds a way into any starting lineups for the fantasy playoffs, and he is best left on the waiver wire.

Saturday, December 6, 9:32 AM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is coming off back-to-back games with at least five receptions and 60 or more receiving yards for the first time since Weeks 4 and 5. Samuel was managing a heel injury right around his season-best performance in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the next four games, the former San Francisco 49er totaled just 16 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets while adding three carries for three yards. The return of Terry McLaurin in Week 13 against the Broncos took away some targets from Samuel, but his presence also helps Samuel by allowing him to work underneath while McLaurin stretches the defense vertically. Quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) will also be back on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, so Washington's offense will look pretty close to whole. The Vikings have allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards per game and the seventh-fewest passing touchdowns this season, placing Samuel in WR3/flex territory for fantasy football in Week 14.