Who Should I Start? D.K. Metcalf or CeeDee Lamb

Friday, December 20, 7:34 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (shoulder) draws an excellent matchup against the Vikings in Week 16. However, Metcalf has been borderline unplayable in recent weeks. He has been bothered by a shoulder injury that has limited his practice reps but it has not stopped him from playing in any games. Metcalf has not caught more than four passes or exceeded 59 receiving yards since Week 11. He seems to have been overtaken as the No. 1 wide receiver by Jaxon Smith-Njigba. With Metcalf flailing recently, it isn't easy to consider playing him this week. In Metcalf's defense, he has faced solid to great defenses over the last several weeks. If there were ever a game for Metcalf to get back to normal, this would be the game. However, Metcalf should be treated as a flex option with upside. He has not delivered WR2 numbers since Week 11 so you will need to temper expectations if you deploy him in your lineup. He is always a candidate to catch a long touchdown, and he is due for a touchdown at this point. He has always been one of the better bets to find the end zone but he has not scored since Week 7.

Saturday, December 21, 9:51 AM

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has continued to be a major contributor in fantasy football despite losing his quarterback, Dak Prescott (hamstring), in the middle of the season. Lamb has looked solid in six full games with Cooper Rush under center, as the two have connected for 41 completions, 429 yards, and two touchdowns. He ranks as the overall WR11 during that six-game span, and he has found the end zone in each of his last two contests. In Week 16, Lamb will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose defensive secondary has been suspect at times in 2024. The Buccaneers have allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers, as well as the 13th-most fantasy points to receivers who operate out wide. Lamb has played 368 snaps (46.6 percent) from the slot this season, which is the seventh-most in the NFL. Still, he should be able to feast against the Buccaneers, who allowed Los Angeles Chargers slot receiver Ladd McConkey to put up five catches, 58 yards, and one touchdown against them in Week 15. For fantasy purposes, Lamb continues to rank as an intriguing fantasy playmaker in the mid-to-low WR1 range this Sunday.