Who Should I Start? James Proche II or Ainias Smith

Friday, August 1, 2:54 PM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver James Proche II has been "the most productive receiver in 11-on-11 drills" in the team's training camp practices, according to Easton Freeze of AtoZ Sports. The 28-year-old is in his first year in Tennessee after spending the last two years with the Cleveland Browns. Proche II has recorded 28 catches in 62 career NFL games, so a breakout this year with the Titans would be quite the surprise. Tennessee has established veterans Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett atop their wide receiver depth chart, but there could be opportunity behind them, particularly after former first-round pick Treylon Burks was released by the team earlier this week. Proche II's main competition for playing time figures to be rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, both of whom were selected in the fourth round of the 2025 draft. He's still a long way from fantasy relevance, but Proche II could be someone to keep an eye on in Titans preseason action.

Tuesday, August 19, 9:35 AM

Second-year Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith has enjoyed a healthy training camp, and his coaches have taken notice. Last season, as a fifth-round rookie, he struggled through camp with a stress fracture in his shin that would eventually land him on Injured Reserve for two months. This year, he is healthy and competing for one of the Eagles' last receiver spots on the 53-man roster. He has played in each of the team's first two preseason games, catching a touchdown in both and returning punts and kicks, as his path to the roster may run through special teams. Smith has been competing with fellow second-year wideout Johnny Wilson and undrafted rookie Darius Cooper for one of the team's final roster spots, and on Sunday, the Eagles acquired former second-round pick John Metchie III from the Houston Texans. Whoever can win the camp battle will have little relevance in managed redraft leagues, but could be worth a stash in deep dynasty formats.