Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Khalil Shakir

Thursday, December 18, 7:05 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. has been productive in his first season with the team, averaging 5.0 receptions for 46.5 receiving yards on 6.6 targets per game to go with six total touchdowns across 13 contests. The veteran started off the season as the engine of Washington's offense, clearing 80 yards from scrimmage in three of the first five games of the season. In eight games since, Samuel has failed to reach that mark. The former San Francisco 49ers wideout has hauled in 12 of 18 targets for 134 yards in three games since the team's WR1, Terry McLaurin, returned. He'll be looking for a vintage performance on Saturday against the Eagles, whom he's enjoyed facing in the past. Samuel totalled 138 yards and three touchdowns in his most recent game against Philadelphia in Week 13 of the 2023 season. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR34 in PPR leagues in Week 16.

Saturday, December 20, 10:40 AM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir hauled in all five of his targets for 65 yards in the 35-31 win over the division rival New England Patriots. With struggling weapons in the Bills' receiving room, Shakir has retained his WR1 role in the offense, giving him fantasy value moving forward. Shakir has caught 62 passes for 650 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games this season, placing him as WR33. However, production may be hard to come by against this Browns secondary, which has given up the second-fewest receiving yards to wide receivers this season. They've also allowed only 6.4 fantasy points per game to slot receivers this season, which is where Shakir consistently lines up. Despite being the WR1 in this strong Bills offense, Shakir is a fade this week against this strong Browns secondary.