Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or DeMario Douglas

Friday, September 5, 2:13 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp is checking in as a flex option in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. Kupp is coming off a season with the Rams that began very auspiciously but finished horrendously. Kupp was a clear-cut WR1 over the first half of the season, but he was completely phased out of the offense towards the end. He only earned nine targets over his final three games, and he moved on from the Rams this offseason. Kupp did not show any signs of slowing down when he was given opportunities in 2024. This is certainly not the same player who took the league by storm in 2021, but Kupp should present solid value out of the slot in Seattle. He is going to be where quarterback Sam Darnold needs him to be at all times. San Francisco presents a tough matchup in Week 1, but they will need to focus their energy on stopping wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kupp's role in the slot is more immune to tough matchups than outside wide receivers, giving him flex value with solid WR2 upside in Week 1.

Monday, August 11, 1:10 PM

During the New England Patriots' walkthrough practice on Monday, quarterback Drake Maye has gone to wide receiver DeMario Douglas "a ton," according to Taylor Kyles. Douglas is on the rise on fantasy draft boards this year as one of the most productive and consistent wideouts for the Patriots during training camp. The 24-year-old slot receiver could flourish in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' system after he caught 66 of his 87 targets for 621 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games a year ago. The Patriots also have Stefon Diggs coming back from a torn ACL last year in Houston. If healthy, Diggs will be the team's WR1, but it doesn't mean that Douglas can't be fantasy relevant alongside him, mainly in PPR formats. Right now, Douglas is ranked at RotoBaller as the WR69, so fantasy managers won't need to spend much on him.