Who Should I Start? Josh Downs or Brian Thomas Jr.

Monday, December 23, 12:43 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught three of four targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-30 win over the Titans. While it doesn't sound like much, the three catches were a team-high and so were the targets and the yardage total as quarterback Anthony Richardson was asked to throw the ball just 11 times in the game while the rushing attack racked up 335 yards. The 23-year-old has three catches in three consecutive games and at least three in 11 of the 12 games he's played, giving him a reliable floor. However, with meager yardage totals more often than not and sporadic TDs, it'll be hard to trust him next week in fantasy championships as anything more than a WR3 in a showdown with the Giants. New York has been surprisingly good at limiting wide receivers in fantasy production, perhaps in part because they are awful against the run, so Richardson and Jonathan Taylor will likely be relied upon to carry the load again.

Sunday, December 22, 10:32 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was stellar again in Week 16 in a 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie receiver finished with nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was for 62 yards late in the third quarter. BTJ has proven to be a top young receiver in the NFL given his elite production with inconsistent quarterback play. With both Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones under center, he has had big games. Just last week he had 10 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the cards being stacked against him, the rookie has shone brightly for fantasy managers who kept faith in him in the fantasy playoffs. The rookie stud will look to continue his exceptional play in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans.