Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or Brandon Aiyuk

Monday, November 27, 12:51 PM

New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster caught two of his four targets for a measly 10 yards in the 10-7 loss to the New York Giants in Week 12 on Sunday. Smith-Schuster played a season-high 99 percent of the offensive snaps before the bye in Week 10, but that number dropped to 65 percent with the return of DeVante Parker this Sunday. Smith-Schuster has fewer targets than rookie Demario Douglas, Parker, Tyquan Thornton and running back Rhamondre Stevenson in the loss to New York. Douglas suffered a head injury in Week 12, though, so Smith-Schuster could see more involvement in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers if Douglas isn't cleared to play. Still, the 27-year-old Smith-Schuster will be hard to trust in this inept offense. He has just one touchdown in nine games and has eclipsed 50 receiving yards just once.

Friday, November 24, 2:29 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk salvaged his fantasy night with a late touchdown in a 31-13 victory over the Seahawks in Seattle. Aiyuk's 28-yard, deep in-route scoring strike was part of an otherwise quiet performance of two catches on four targets for 50 yards receiving. Midway through the first half, broadcaster Cris Collinsworth observed that the 49ers' offense was doing "whatever they want". What the 49ers wanted apparently, was to feed Deebo Samuel early. Like everyone in this offense besides Christian McCaffrey, Aiyuk will continue to have games where the targets go elsewhere. It will be Aiyuk's efficiency down the field and big-play potential that keep him in the WR1 conversation next Sunday at the Eagles, who have allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game.