Who Should I Start? DeAndre Hopkins or Deebo Samuel

Monday, November 25, 4:06 AM

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught five passes for 35 yards and a touchdown in the 30-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. Hopkins finished second on the team in catches and tied for second in targets in this contest. The 32-year-old averaged just seven yards per catch, meaning he was utilized closer to the line of scrimmage. Hopkins will look to improve his stat line next week against the Las Vegas Raiders, who rank seventh in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Despite being seventh in points allowed, the Las Vegas defense just gave up 97 yards and two touchdowns to Courtland Sutton in Week 12. Fantasy managers should be excited to see what kind of performance Hopkins will put up on Black Friday, especially with Patrick Mahomes playing better lately.

Monday, November 25, 12:14 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. came into a Week 12 matchup at the Green Bay Packers in a modest slump, averaging 8.3 half-PPR points over his past three games. The former Gamecock's struggles bottomed out on Sunday, as he finished with one catch on four targets for 21 yards. Much of San Francisco's offensive ineptitude on the day can be explained by starting quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) watching from the sidelines. However, outside of his one catch-and-run and 87-yard kick return nullified by a holding call, Samuel Sr. was part of the problem. With two crucial drops, including one that directly led to a Brandon Allen interception, it's hard to say with a straight face that Samuel Sr.'s fantasy day was a victim of circumstance. In Week 13, things don't get any easier for Samuel Sr. and the Niners as they travel to Buffalo to face the Bills. If San Francisco's injury problems at quarterback and offensive line linger, Samuel Sr. will be hard to trust in fantasy lineups.