Who Should I Start? JuJu Smith-Schuster or Zay Flowers

Saturday, January 4, 2:02 PM

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will take on the Denver Broncos in Week 18. Smith-Schuster appeared to be the Chiefs WR1 in the wake of Rashee Rice's injury, but then he also lost time to injury. By the time he returned, Kansas City had acquired DeAndre Hopkins, and Xavier Worthy had become more integrated into the offense. This week, Smith-Schuster could find himself with a more significant role, given the state of the team. The Chiefs have already clinched the top seed in the AFC and a first-round bye, meaning they are inclined to rest their starters in anticipation of the playoffs. If the starters rest and Smith-Schuster plays, he could be an interesting PPR play due to the routes he runs. That said, the veteran receiver must rely on Carson Wentz throwing him the football. Patrick Mahomes is doubtful for this week's contest and likely will not suit up. Another obstacle Smith-Schuster will have to contend with is the Broncos, who rank 16th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. The 28-year-old is ranked WR76 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a deep flex option this week. Fantasy managers starting Smith-Schuster will have to hope for a touchdown.

Monday, January 13, 4:07 PM

When asked about the status of wide receiver Zay Flowers (knee) for the upcoming Divisional Round showdown against the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said they are in "we'll-see" mode. "He's working hard to get back. We'll see toward the end of the week if he's practicing. He can play without practicing, for sure, if he feels healthy enough and it's safe for him," Harbaugh said. Flowers sprained his knee in the Week 18 win over the Cleveland Browns and was inactive for the wild-card playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. The 24-year-old could play this weekend against Buffalo without practicing, but he'd be a much riskier lineup option for fantasy managers. With Flowers out on Saturday in the win over Pittsburgh, Rashod Bateman benefitted the most and caught a touchdown, with Tylan Wallace and Nelson Agholor also seeing the field in three-wide sets.