Who Should I Start? DK Metcalf or Ladd McConkey

Monday, January 12, 2:36 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf returns from his two-game suspension, and on Monday night, he faces a Texans defense that finished the regular season as the fourth most difficult matchup for fantasy wide receivers. On average, the Texans held opposing wide receiver rooms 4.4 points below their season-long average in half-PPR formats. With Metcalf the only true outside threat on the Steelers' roster, he is likely to see a fair share of coverage from recently named First Team All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. In a Wild Card matchup that sees them as three-point underdogs at home, Metcalf is RotoBaller's WR18 in fantasy playoff leagues and should be plugged into lineups on an emergency basis only.

Sunday, January 11, 5:44 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was an inconsistent contributor throughout the 2025 regular season, but he'll have an opportunity to get back on track by making a big impact against the New England Patriots in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs on Sunday evening. McConkey had 66 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns through 16 regular-season games, with his lone absence coming in Week 18 as Los Angeles rested key starters. New England ranked near the middle of the league in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers in 2025, but they did allow the seventh-most touchdowns to the position. The best fantasy performance of McConkey's career came against the Patriots in Week 17 of the 2024 season, as he caught eight passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. New England's defense has gotten much stronger since then, but nonetheless, the second-year wideout will look to use today's game as an opportunity to get back on track.