Who Should I Start? Jaylen Warren or Khalil Shakir

Monday, January 12, 2:12 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren finished the regular season with 1,291 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns, but in Monday night's Wild Card finale, he faces a Texans defense that has been among the most punishing all season long. Houston has been the 8th most formidable fantasy defense in terms of limiting opposing running backs, holding lead backs 2.4 points below their season average. With Warren already working as part of a committee with Kenneth Gainwell, neither player boasts a particularly high ceiling, though both are buoyed by their steady work in the passing game. Warren is RotoBaller's RB9 for Wild Card Weekend and will likely need to see a strong target share to make good on that projection.

Tuesday, January 13, 6:48 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir was one of the stars of his team's Wild Card Weekend win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, recording 12 receptions for 82 yards on 12 targets. On a day when no other Buffalo pass-catcher earned more than five targets, Shakir proved he has earned the trust of Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Heading into the team's Divisional round matchup against the Denver Broncos, Allen may be forced to lean on Shakir even more heavily. Buffalo wide receivers Gabe Davis (knee) and Tyrell Shavers (knee) both suffered season-ending knee injuries during the game against Jacksonville, further depleting an already undermanned Bills' wide receiver corps. Outside of Shakir, Buffalo will likely be relying on wideouts Keon Coleman and Brandin Cooks, both of whom recorded fewer than 40 receptions during the regular season. Even in a tough matchup against Denver, Shakir profiles as a high-floor wide receiver option for fantasy managers given his high likelihood for significant target volume.