Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Laviska Shenault Jr.

Monday, February 12, 2:24 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) had a frustrating Sunday night in the team's 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. The former second-rounder fell to the turf, grabbing his leg in the third quarter but returned shortly after. While 49er fans and fantasy managers could breathe a sigh of relief when he returned, Samuel wasn't able to do much damage after -- or for that matter, before -- the injury. He finished the game with three catches on a game-high 11 targets for just 33 yards. San Francisco also attempted to get Samuel involved in the running game, giving him three carries which turned into just eight yards. He'll most likely be taken near the WR1/WR2 border when fantasy drafts happen in the fall.

Tuesday, April 2, 4:08 PM

Free-agent wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. is signing with the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN reporter Brady Henderson. Shenault was originally a second-round pick in 2020 by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Colorado, but he has not found his footing over the first four seasons of his career. The 25-year-old posted at least 600 receiving yards in each of his two seasons with the Jagaurs but totaled just 332 yards in 21 games during his two-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. With DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the roster, it'd be a big surprise if he's a fantasy-relevant player in 2024. Assuming he makes the 53-man roster, he'll likely be utilized as a depth player and a special teamer.