Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Rashod Bateman

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, 12:07 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman popped up as a limited participant on Thursday's practice report, but has since registered a full practice on Friday and is good to go against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he'll be suiting up, his consistency hasn't been conducive to deploying him into fantasy lineups very often. He's only finished in WR3 territory or better twice, and he hasn't received more than two targets since Week 9 or more than two receptions since Week 3. The Steelers have given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, which gives Bateman a bit more value, but he's still projected as the WR70 on RotoBaller's rankings in Week 14.