Who Should I Start? Curtis Samuel or Kalif Raymond

Friday, November 28, 12:20 PM

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow, knee) will not play on Sunday in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Maddy Glab of BuffaloBills.com. Samuel will miss a second straight game, and it's unclear if the 29-year-old will be able to return for a Week 14 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Samuel has not been on the fantasy radar at all in 2025, as he's caught only seven passes on nine targets for 81 yards and one touchdown on the year. He was unable to take advantage of second-year wideout Keon Coleman being benched for the last two games for disciplinary reasons. Samuel was off the fantasy radar in most leagues last year as well in Buffalo, as he had a weak 31-253-1 line in 14 regular-season games.

Wednesday, December 24, 10:32 PM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond had his best performance of the season in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Raymond could see an expanded role again in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, as top Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is questionable to play due to a knee injury. However, if St. Brown is active, there's reason to believe Raymond's performance in Week 16 is unlikely to be repeated. Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw 54 passes against Pittsburgh, 17 more than he attempted in his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9. Additionally, Minnesota has been a very tough matchup for opposing passing attacks. The Vikings enter the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). Raymond has some upside as a deep-league flex option for fantasy managers if St. Brown is sidelined. If St. Brown is active, fantasy managers should likely avoid Raymond in Week 17.