Who Should I Start? Jayden Reed or Calvin Austin III

Thursday, January 29, 6:28 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed's third season in the NFL was marred by a broken collarbone and a foot injury that limited him to only seven games played. In his seven games, Reed caught 19 of his 22 targets for 207 yards and only one touchdown. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 out of Michigan State had 119 catches for 1,650 yards and 14 touchdowns on 169 targets in his first two seasons, adding 31 carries for 282 yards and another three TDs. Fantasy managers hoping for more of that production were sorely disappointed, but Reed should bounce back in 2026 with better health as a key piece of Green Bay's offense. The Packers' receiving corps is crowded with Christian Watson and Matthew Golden in the mix, but Romeo Doubs could depart in free agency. Savvy fantasy managers will want to keep Reed's name in mind as a WR sleeper this fall.

Monday, January 12, 6:32 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III stepped up with DK Metcalf on suspension in the team's Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens, which helped them win the AFC North division. Austin caught three of his seven targets for 55 yards and the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was the 26-year-old's third touchdown of the year and his first since back on Sept. 21 in the win over the New England Patriots. The week prior, with Metcalf out due to suspension, Austin caught his only target for an eight-yard gain. His touchdown catch in Week 18 against the Ravens came with help from cornerback Chidobe Awuzie slipping to leave him wide open. Austin had just 31 catches for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular-season games, so he wasn't really on the radar in 12-team fantasy leagues. With Metcalf returning from his suspension in the Wild-Card game on Monday night against the Houston Texans, we aren't expecting much from Austin against the No. 1 defense in the NFL.