Who Should I Start? Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Rome Odunze

Friday, November 22, 7:17 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is in a great position to continue his ascending breakout in Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals. This may come as a surprise, but Smith-Njigba is actually the PPR WR10 in fantasy and he has already had his bye. Smith-Njigba has been relatively inconsistent this season, however, his last month of football has been pretty strong. The Cardinals' defense is much improved in 2024 but still imperfect. They are No. 17 against opposing wide receivers in fantasy. With fellow wide receiver DK Metcalf likely to be healthier in Week 12 than he was in his return in Week 11, Smith-Njigba could take a hit in targets. Even so, he has clearly earned the trust of quarterback Geno Smith. Most importantly, Smith has been looking Smith-Njigba's way far more than wide receiver Tyler Lockett on important downs which was not the case early in the season. This should be a high-scoring game with plenty of opportunities, and Smith-Njigba should absolutely be in your lineup.

Saturday, November 23, 5:39 AM

Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze is looking to build on his solid performance in Week 11 as he faces a tough Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 12. Odunze had a productive outing last week, recording 65 receiving yards against the Green Bay Packers. As the Bears' primary big-play threat, he'll be eager to continue his progression and establish himself as a reliable option in this offense. Odunze's ability to make plays downfield could be critical in Week 12, as the Vikings' defense, while challenging, blitzes at one of the highest rates in the NFL. If the Bears' offensive line can give quarterback Caleb Williams enough time, Odunze could see plenty of one-on-one opportunities. However, the Minnesota defense has proven to be one of the toughest matchups in the league, ranking 4th in points per game allowed and 5th in EPA per pass. Despite the challenging matchup, Odunze continues to come into his own and could be a sneaky WR3 with upside in Week 12, especially if he gets some downfield looks. For fantasy managers needing a high-ceiling play, he's a worthy consideration as a flex or WR3 option with big-play potential.