Who Should I Start? Ja'Marr Chase or Jaylen Waddle

Wednesday, April 24, 2:05 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals exercised the fifth-year option for wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase on Wednesday, as expected. Chase is now officially locked up through the 2025 season. The 24-year-old former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons in the NFL and set a career-high with 100 catches on 145 targets for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games in 2023, despite the fact that quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) missed considerable time with a season-ending injury. Chase's seven touchdowns in 2023 were a career-low, but he should bounce back in that department in 2024 as long as Burrow can stay healthy all year. Chase's fantasy arrow continues to point up and he should be considered a top-tier WR1.

Monday, April 29, 4:15 PM

The Miami Dolphins have picked up the fifth-year option on star wideout and former No. 6 overall pick Jaylen Waddle, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. This is a no-brainer for the organization after he racked up 251 receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns during the first three seasons of his career. Even with Tyreek Hill in town, Waddle has remained a 1000-yard receiver and is one of the best No. 2 options in any passing game around the NFL. Although Waddle set career lows in receptions, yards, and touchdowns last year, he should be primed for a bounce-back campaign if he can stay healthy. He missed three contests in 2023. He's now under contract through the 2025 NFL season.