Who Should I Start? Darnell Washington or Isaiah Likely

Thursday, December 11, 10:15 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (concussion) was a limited participant in practice on Thursday, and he remains in concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's Week 15 contest against the Miami Dolphins. Washington exited last week's game early after catching just one pass for 12 yards. He had looked solid in his nine previous contests, though, totaling 22 catches, 276 yards, and one touchdown during that span. The 24-year-old has quietly passed Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth in terms of snap count, but his fantasy production has still left a lot to be desired. He can be dropped in redraft leagues and stashed in deeper dynasty formats.

Friday, December 12, 10:49 AM

Across 10 games so far this season, Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has recorded 22 receptions for 248 yards and a touchdown on 31 targets. While his full-season numbers don't jump off the page, the 25-year-old appears to be trending upwards. Over his last two games, Likely has hauled in nine catches for 124 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. If not for an ill-fated fumble at the goal line in Week 13 and a questionable call on a dropped touchdown in Week 14, Likely might have three scores over the last two weeks. Given veteran tight end Mark Andrews' (glute) presence in Baltimore, Likely's playing time usually has a defined ceiling. However, Andrews popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited practice participant due to a glute injury heading into Baltimore's Week 15 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. If Andrews is facing any sort of missed time, Likely would immediately emerge as a high-upside starting tight end option for fantasy managers.