Who Should I Start? Jermaine Burton or Jaylin Noel

Sunday, September 14, 11:42 AM

For the second straight week to begin the 2025 season, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton is a healthy inactive for the Week 2 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Burton had a pretty rough rookie season in 2024 that involved some maturity issues, but he got rave reviews during training camp in the summer. For now, though, Charlie Jones is ahead of him as the team's WR4 behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas. The 24-year-old former third-rounder caught four passes for 107 yards on 14 targets in 14 games in his rookie season. Burton isn't anywhere close to the fantasy radar in redraft leagues right now.

Monday, October 27, 10:42 AM

Houston Texans rookie wide receiver Jaylin Noel has been a breakout player in recent weeks, recording 11 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets over his last three games played. Noel has benefited from the absence of veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk (hamstring), who has missed Houston's last two contests. If there's reason for concern with Noel, it's that he's yet to crack 45% of his team's offensive snaps this season, even in the games that Kirk has missed. He appears to be limited to working from the slot, which limits his playing time ceiling. Noel is a young player with upside, so he's definitely a name to monitor in deeper fantasy leagues. Still, it may be difficult for him to maintain his production in Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, particularly if one or both of Kirk and Nico Collins (concussion) return to the field.