Who Should I Start? Jalen Nailor or Malik Washington

Monday, August 18, 10:21 PM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (hand) is "week-to-week" after jamming his hand in practice last Thursday, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Minnesota got good news with Justin Jefferson (hamstring) returning to practice on Monday. However, the team's wide receiver room behind him is having a rough offseason. In addition to Nailor's injury, Jordan Addison will miss the first three games of the season due to suspension, and Rondale Moore (knee) went down with a season-ending knee injury. If Nailor can return in time for Week 1, he could be a decent flex play in fantasy while Addison is sidelined. If Nailor misses time, third-round rookie Tai Felton could see an early-season bump in targets.

Sunday, August 10, 3:02 PM

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington "is WR No. 3" behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. A sixth-round pick out of Virginia in the 2024 draft, Washington recorded 26 catches for 223 yards in 14 games (three starts) for the Dolphins as a rookie. With Hill (oblique) currently sidelined by an oblique injury, Washington could be in line for a larger role than might otherwise be expected. However, Hill's availability for Week 1 is not currently thought to be in danger. If Hill is healthy, he and Waddle should dominate wide receiver targets in Miami. Washington would need one or both of the Dolphins' star receivers to miss time to factor in fantasy this season, but it's noteworthy that he appears to be the clear next man up in the pecking order.