Who Should I Start? Jordan Addison or Calvin Austin III

Friday, October 31, 4:48 PM

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison remains a quality WR3/flex option when his team takes on the Detroit Lions in a Week 9 meeting of NFC North foes. It remains to be seen how the USC product meshes with starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, with whom Addison has never appeared in a regular-season game. McCarthy has played in just two games since the start of 2024, and Addison was suspended for both of them. Addison has a decent matchup against a Lions team that has surrendered 14 passing touchdowns in seven games, which is one of the worst marks in the league, but Minnesota has had major issues protecting the quarterback. The Vikings rank 31st in sack rate and managed a miserable 47 plays last week in a loss to the L.A. Chargers, though Addison accounted for the team's only touchdown. Addison has shown steady fantasy appeal this season, giving managers reason to believe he can perform even in the midst of the Vikings' struggles.

Saturday, November 1, 1:06 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III will hope to bounce back from a quiet Week 8 in a Week 9 showdown with the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts. Fellow receiver Roman Wilson had a breakout showing last week, but it was Austin that logged the second-most snaps among Pittsburgh's wideouts behind DK Metcalf. While the Colts have been difficult to defeat on the scoreboard, they've proven beatable through the air, giving up the third-most fantasy points per game and most receptions to opposing receivers. Austin has the explosiveness to break a big play against this defense and should be involved in what is projected to be a high-scoring affair. However, the fourth-year pro has not been consistent enough to warrant consideration in most fantasy leagues. He should be viewed as a low-end flex option with upside in deeper leagues on Sunday.