Who Should I Start? Jaylin Lane or Arian Smith

Wednesday, September 10, 5:00 PM

Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane had a role in the offense in his NFL debut, catching one of two targets for 11 yards. Lane is entrenched as the team's starting punt returner, but he also impressed in his reps as a receiver during training camp and preseason, which ultimately earned him the No. 4 wide receiver spot. It was a small thing, but Lane dropped the first target he received from quarterback Jayden Daniels. But Daniels had faith in the fourth-round rookie and went right back to him on the next play, and Lane made the catch about six yards, then turned upfield for an 11-yard gain for his first career touch. Lane will likely continue to see a handful of snaps on offense a week now that the top of the Washington receiver room is intact. He is worth keeping an eye on in redraft leagues with his explosive playmaking ability.

Sunday, August 31, 11:01 PM

The New York Jets expect rookie wide receiver Arian Smith to "contribute right away," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. A fourth-round pick out of Georgia, Smith recorded 48 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns in his final collegiate season for the Bulldogs. Outside of top wideout Garrett Wilson, the Jets are hurting for talent at the position. Veterans Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard (shoulder) are penciled in as the team's WR2 and WR3, but Lazard is battling a shoulder injury. If Smith hits his upside as a prospect, he will bring a speed element down the field that the Jets' veteran receivers cannot. The 23-year-old is a name to monitor early in the season as a potential waiver-wire stash.