Who Should I Start? Darius Cooper or Jaylin Lane

Friday, October 30, 1:11 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper has another opportunity to see increased targets and make an impact in a Week 8 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football. With starting wide receivers DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) ruled out for a second consecutive week, Cooper will need to up his production against the Commanders to show he has fantasy value. Last week with Smith and Wicks out, Cooper led Philadelphia's offense in offensive snaps with 61, but he ranked fifth on the team in targets (three) and recorded just one catch for 17 yards. Through seven appearances, Cooper has tallied nine receptions (on 18 targets) for 156 yards (17.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. He has frequently found the end zone this season, and according to Pro Football Focus, he ranks second in the NFL with 4.90 fantasy points per touch (half-PPR), but Cooper has not been consistent. He is hard to trust as a fantasy football option - especially with quarterback Tanner McKee still finding his footing in his new starting role. With Wicks and Smith out again, Cooper will continue to play a significant number of snaps, along with rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon, while Elijah Moore and Hollywood Brown should also see targets. Tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) will remain a focal point of the offense as well. McKee targeted Lemon and Goedert a combined 15 times against the Cowboys, and connected with them on 12 passes. Cooper will look to get more involved against a Washington defense that gives up 254 passing yards per game (27th in the NFL). Additionally, per Pro Football Reference, the Commanders allow 23.0 fantasy points per game to wide receivers (25th in the NFL). Cooper is currently rostered in just 7% of Yahoo leagues, and he ranks as RotoBaller's No. 56 wide receiver for Week 8. Fantasy managers do not need to hurry to add Cooper.