Who Should I Start? Jerry Jeudy or Brian Thomas Jr.

Saturday, December 27, 9:30 AM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has had a quiet season and is unlikely to make an impact in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last week against the Buffalo Bills, Jeudy played just 72% of the offensive snaps, his lowest snap share since Week 12, yet still posted a 94% route participation rate. The veteran wide-out brought in three of his four targets for 12 yards, which has been his average target share since rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders took over as the starter in Week 12. Despite this low production, Jeudy is still running routes on nearly every drop-back and remains the preferred wide receiver option, accounting for 38% of all WR targets over the last five games. Rain is expected in Cleveland at kickoff, which may put a damper on an already lackluster Browns air attack. Even though the Steelers' pass defense has given up the third-most passing yards per game this season in the league, they have stiffened since Week 13, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Jeudy profiles as a deep-league WR4/FLEX due to his opportunities and large target share, which may increase if rookie tight end Harold Fannin J. (groin) misses Week 17 due to his injury sustained during Friday's practice.

Monday, January 5, 10:46 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. had a disappointing year relative to preseason expectations in 2025, recording 48 receptions for 707 yards and two touchdowns on 91 targets across 14 games played. Down the stretch of the regular season, Thomas Jr. appeared to slide down the pass-catcher pecking order in Jacksonville. The 23-year-old recorded just nine catches for 106 yards and zero touchdowns on 15 targets over his final three contests. Thomas Jr. also played fewer than 80% of Jacksonville's offensive snaps in five out of his team's six final games. The Jaguars are now set to face the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the AFC playoffs. In the regular season, Buffalo allowed the fewest passing yards (2,894) of any defense in the NFL. Fantasy managers in playoff leagues may find Thomas Jr. tough to trust given his difficult matchup and diminished role in Jacksonville.