Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Rashid Shaheed

Sunday, October 5, 10:46 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. stayed heavily involved in the team's offense with Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) missing a second straight game on Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers. Samuel led the team in targets (11), receptions (eight), and receiving yards (96) while catching his third touchdown of the season in the 27-10 victory in Week 5 in quarterback Jayden Daniels' return from a knee sprain. The 29-year-old has had a nice bounce-back season in 2025 so far in his first year in Washington while being the team's most consistent pass-catcher. Through the first five weeks, Samuel has 346 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns. As long as he can stay healthy, Samuel should continue to be a must-start in fantasy lineups, even when McLaurin returns from his quad injury. Samuel will have quite a bit of upside in Week 6 on Monday night against the Chicago Bears, especially if McLaurin misses a third game.

Sunday, October 5, 9:43 PM

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed recorded four catches for 114 yards and a touchdown in his team's 26-14 Week 5 win over the New York Giants. Known as one of the league's premier big-play threats. Shaheed broke loose for an 87-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. The 27-year-old has recorded 22 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns on 30 targets through five games so far this season. Shaheed ranks third on the Saints in targets behind wide receiver Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson, but he's got far more explosive potential than any of his New Orleans teammates. Shaheed remains a boom/bust flex option in the majority of fantasy leagues.