Who Should I Start? Cooper Kupp or Rashod Bateman

Tuesday, June 24, 12:16 PM

The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar writes that new Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp still has some juice, and the team thinks he still has enough left in the tank to be a legitimate complementary piece to WR1 Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kupp looked the part during offseason workouts and still has enough wiggle, understanding of leverage and quickness to be a pest underneath and in the red zone. The 32-year-old veteran is no longer the same receiver that accomplished the receiving Triple Crown in 2021, but he can still win with deception and his high-level route-running. Kupp's fantasy floor and ceiling are much lower now, and he's missed five or more games in three straight seasons due to injuries, but he can still be in play as a WR4/flex in the Pacific Northwest if he stays on the field. RotoBaller has him ranked just inside the top-50 pass-catchers.

Monday, July 28, 4:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.