Who Should I Start? Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Ladd McConkey

Tuesday, August 5, 8:19 PM

The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar writes that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba "plays everywhere" and is a "threat everywhere." Additionally, he's being targeted from everywhere in training camp practices. The 23-year-old former 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Ohio State broke out in his second year in the league in 2024 and was Seattle's most productive wideout, outshining both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett with 100 catches on 137 targets for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts). Heading into his third year, he'll share targets with newcomer Cooper Kupp with both Metcalf and Lockett no longer in town. It's great news that JSN is being targeted all around the field, but will he be as effective with new quarterback Sam Darnold. Fantasy managers should be willing to pay the price of a WR2 to find out.

Tuesday, August 12, 6:51 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (undisclosed) was back in 11-on-11 drills at Tuesday's training camp practice, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. "I feel like I'm there now. It's just about building everything back up and...getting my conditioning back to where it needs to be," McConkey said when asked how close he is to 100% health. The Chargers and McConkey haven't disclosed the nature of his injury. Now that the 23-year-old second-year wideout is back at practice, he could play in the team's third preseason contest this Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams. The second-rounder in 2024 out of Georgia quickly became quarterback Justin Herbert's go-to receiver last year and finished with an 82-1,149-7 line in 16 games played. McConkey is a low-end WR1/high-end WR2 in fantasy going into his sophomore season.