Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Joshua Palmer

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.

Friday, September 5, 1:39 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer will make his debut with the team this Sunday after spending the first four years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. It won't be an easy Week 1 matchup for Palmer, who will face a sturdy Baltimore Ravens secondary. Although the 25-year-old is coming off his second straight season with fewer than 40 catches, the Bills brought him in to serve as one of their top three WRs alongside Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman. Considering Palmer didn't exceed 72 catches, 769 yards, or four touchdowns in any season with Justin Herbert as his quarterback, he isn't garnering much hype going into 2025. Palmer's probably not on most fantasy managers' radars for a meeting with the Ravens, but it's worth monitoring how often Josh Allen targets him in their first game together this week.