Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or DeVonta Smith

Tuesday, August 12, 2:15 PM

The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala writes that Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and quarterback Jayden Daniels have developed a strong chemistry, which has been a "product of their reps before practices, conversations between seriess and budding friendship off the field." Samuel has been the "primary bright spot amid growing concern about the Commanders' receiving corps." The 29-year-old has taken advantage with Terry McLaurin holding out and Noah Brown dealing with injuries. Jhabvala writes that Samuel appears to be motivated by a fresh start and a soon-to-be-expiring contract after a disappointing final season in San Francisco. Samuel has dropped some weight and appears to be in much better shape in 2025 as well. If he stays healthy, Samuel could bounce back and be a nice value pick in fantasy drafts as a WR3/flex in an up-tempo offense.

Monday, August 4, 9:06 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith is standing out in camp and looking like a "bounce-back" candidate heading into the new season, Zach Berman of PHLY observes. Smith missed four games a season ago, but his fourth year in the NFL was still yet another productive campaign. He hauled in a career-high eight touchdowns while amassing 833 yards on 68 catches (89 targets). Smith's yardage total was the lowest of his career, but he likely would've gone over the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight season had he been healthier. Although Smith is behind A.J. Brown in Philly's receiver pecking order, he's good enough to enter 2025 as RotoBaller's 25th-ranked WR.