Who Should I Start? DeAndre Hopkins or Rashod Bateman

Sunday, September 8, 11:40 AM

As expected, Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) is officially active for the Week 1 contest on Sunday in Chicago at Soldier Field against the Bears. Hopkins suffered what he described as an MCL tear in his knee in the preseason and missed some time in training camp as a result, but he had enough time to heal up before the regular-season opener and is expected to have a big role against what was a stingy Bears defense last year. The 32-year-old Hopkins is likely to see plenty of All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson and will also have more target competition in 2024 from Calvin Ridley. It may be harder for Nuk to post his eighth career 1,000-yard season this year, but he still has weekly fantasy appeal as a WR4/flex play.

Wednesday, September 4, 7:33 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has endured an injury-riddled career so far and hasn't lived up to the expectations that come with a first-round draft pick. The former 27th-overall pick enters this year with a lot to prove and some added expectations after the team didn't retain Odell Beckham Jr. All of the talk surrounding Bateman in camp has been positive, so it seems Bateman could be in for a better year, but fantasy managers should proceed with caution. While he only missed one game last year, he operated as the third and fourth receiver most times while posting 367 yards and one touchdown on 32 receptions. Bateman isn't on the fantasy radar during Week 1, but could be a stash type of player if he shows improvement.