Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Darnell Mooney

Saturday, December 6, 9:32 AM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is coming off back-to-back games with at least five receptions and 60 or more receiving yards for the first time since Weeks 4 and 5. Samuel was managing a heel injury right around his season-best performance in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the next four games, the former San Francisco 49er totaled just 16 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets while adding three carries for three yards. The return of Terry McLaurin in Week 13 against the Broncos took away some targets from Samuel, but his presence also helps Samuel by allowing him to work underneath while McLaurin stretches the defense vertically. Quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) will also be back on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, so Washington's offense will look pretty close to whole. The Vikings have allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards per game and the seventh-fewest passing touchdowns this season, placing Samuel in WR3/flex territory for fantasy football in Week 14.

Saturday, December 6, 10:31 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney underwhelmed last week with his opportunity to produce while the team's top receiver, Drake London (knee), was out with an injury, catching just two of his five targets for 25 scoreless yards. It would be misguided to expect the same production as London out of Mooney, though, as the latter is more of a downfield threat and is five inches shorter, which tends to limit his effectiveness in the red zone. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old will have another opportunity to produce in Week 14 at home against the Seahawks, with London once again ruled out. Seattle has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers for the season and is yielding just 152.7 yards per game through the air over their last three games. Combined with Kirk Cousins' propensity to spread the ball around, Mooney sets up as a low-end WR3 in Week 14.