Who Should I Start? Jimmy Horn Jr. or Arian Smith

Wednesday, October 29, 12:27 AM

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. has played in four of eight games this season, catching five of his eight targets for 65 yards and handling six carries for 37 yards. After being a healthy scratch for the first month of the season, the sixth rounder out of Colorado played at least 20% of the snaps with multiple touches in the first three weeks when he was playing. His snap share dipped to just 13.1% in their Week 8 blowout loss to the Bills, but they still made an emphasis to get the ball in his hands with two rush attempts and a target. The Panthers need another consistent pass-catching threat outside of fellow rookie Tetairoa McMillan. Second-year wideouts Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette have had moments, but Horn has 4.4 speed and shiftiness that make him a tough cover. He could be a rookie who emerges over the second half of the season.

Saturday, October 25, 4:22 AM

New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith should again see a substantial uptick in playing time when his team squares off with the hosting Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. The rookie played a season-high in snap share (92%) last weekend, with fellow wideout Garrett Wilson (knee) tending to injury. However, he failed to net positive yardage on 1-of-3 receiving. Smith will get another chance to make an impact this Sunday, although it's currently difficult to trust any of the Jets' skill position players with the offense failing to perform. Furthermore, head coach Aaron Glenn's refusal to name a starting quarterback muddies the situation further, adding an extra variable. With Wilson set to miss another game, and Josh Reynolds (hip) questionable with an injury of his own, Smith will have a chance to lead New York's WR corps if both are inactive. Even still, he's nothing more than a long shot with New York's offense looking woefully outmatched.