Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Kayshon Boutte

Friday, September 5, 7:29 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. will make his team debut on Sunday against the Giants after spending six seasons in San Francisco. Samuel pairs up with Terry McLaurin as the team's wide receiver tandem, both players drafted on day two of the 2019 NFL Draft. Samuel is coming off a much-discussed down last season with the 49ers, catching 51 balls for 670 yards while adding 136 yards on 42 carries and scoring four total touchdowns. He wasn't quite as dominant after the catch as he had used to be and had easily his worst production as a runner. But it's also important to remember that he was diagnosed with pneumonia during Week 6 of the season. Before that, Samuel was still very productive lined up outside and from the slot. Now paired with a rising star at quarterback in Jayden Daniels and perhaps the next best offensive mind to utilize his strengths in Kliff Kingsbury, Samuel could be primed for a dynamic bounce-back season. His connection with Daniels has been on display all camp, and he could be relied on more if McLaurin takes a bit to get ramped up. Samuel should be viewed as a WR3 with upside for Week 1 against the Giants.

Saturday, September 6, 9:48 AM

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is technically listed as a starter on the team's unofficial depth chart, but he's expected to be the WR3 and is unlikely to carve out a significant role above Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry, or DeMario Douglas. Furthermore, the Patriots could throw the football less now that they have a stellar one-two punch of Rhamondre Stevenson and Tre'Veyon Henderson out of the backfield. While Boutte did show flashes of upside last season, he still finished the year with a modest 589 yards and three touchdowns. With bye weeks still several weeks away and injuries being kept to a minimum for now, fantasy managers should start their studs and leave depth options like Boutte on the bench or waivers.