Who Should I Start? Courtland Sutton or Brandon Aiyuk

Sunday, August 10, 10:58 AM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton and the rest of the team's first-team offense was quiet in the 30-9 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in the preseason opener. Quarterback Bo Nix spread the ball around but looked rusty overall during the first quarter of play. Sutton connected with Nix on one of his three targets for a gain of only two yards. The 29-year-old had his second 1,000-yard campaign in 2024 in Nix's first season, leading to the Broncos signing him to a four-year extension last month. Sutton was Nix's clear top target in the passing game last year in head coach Sean Payton's offense, and that should continue to be the case in 2025, even after the team added tight end Evan Engram in free agency. Consider him a low-end WR2 in fantasy this fall. Sutton and the rest of the first-team offense will look to bounce back next weekend against Arizona.

Monday, August 11, 5:05 PM

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't thought about it much, but said that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) might return in Week 6. General manager John Lynch already said that he didn't think Aiyuk would be ready for Week 1 of the regular season in early September, but now it looks like the 27-year-old pass-catcher will be out much longer after tearing both his MCL and ACL in his right knee last October. Aiyuk is expected to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which will require him to miss at least the first four games. He has not practiced with the team at all this year. Obviously, this is a big hit to Aiyuk's 2025 fantasy value. Aiyuk is stash-worthy in fantasy leagues that have designated Injured Reserve spots. In Aiyuk's absence, both Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall stand to benefit as key members of the passing attack.