Who Should I Start? Jacob Cowing or Devaughn Vele

Saturday, October 26, 3:43 AM

San Francisco 49ers rookie Jacob Cowing should see some involvement at wide receiver when the team hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. The fourth-rounder spent the first weeks of the season on the active roster returning punts before seeing his first career offensive action in Week 7. He delivered two catches on three targets for 50 yards against Kansas City, which led all 49ers receivers with Jauan Jennings (hip) out, and Deebo Samuel Sr. (illness/wrist) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) leaving the game early. Cowing's fantasy value this week hinges on the health of Samuel Sr. and George Kittle (foot). If both play, Cowing is a touchdown-dependent shot in the dark and not recommended in standard leagues. But if both miss, he becomes the second in line for targets behind fellow rookie Ricky Pearsall, with 2023 seventh-round pick Ronnie Bell and journeyman Chris Conley in the mix. WR-desperate fantasy managers in deeper leagues are advised to keep an eye out and consider Cowing if the 49ers get more bad injury news this weekend.

Sunday, October 27, 10:14 PM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele reeled in all three of his targets for 28 yards in his team's 28-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers. It was an acceptable performance for the rookie wideout as quarterback Bo Nix spread the ball around effectively -- completing a pass to 11 different Denver pass-catchers, with seven recording at least two targets. Fellow wideout Courtland Sutton was the only Broncos skill player to register more than six (11). While Vele likely wasn't counted on by fantasy managers, it's a disappointing effort against one of the league's least formidable defenses, particularly after he recorded 14 targets over his first two outings. The 26-year-old will get another opportunity to be more involved in Week 9 when he and the Broncos square off against the Baltimore Ravens on the road.