Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Dylan Sampson

Friday, December 5, 3:35 PM

Fantasy managers who roster Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson ahead of the Week 14 game against Washington will be asking themselves what will happen when a very movable object meets an even more stoppable force. The Commanders' defense ranks a lowly 28th against half-PPR receivers, but calling the Vikings "inept" recently doesn't even begin to describe it. Minnesota is now turning over the ball on more than 17% of its possessions, scoring on fewer than one-third of them, and is coming off the franchise's first shutout defeat in 18 years last week at Seattle. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) is slated to return after Max Brosmer's four-interception debacle last week, which could slightly help the superstar receiver, who is on track for career-low rates of catches, yards, and touchdowns. The Vikings have been so volatile that Jefferson should be considered a WR2, but he ultimately remains an All-Pro receiver facing a bad defense this week, giving some hope for a bounce-back game.

Friday, December 5, 1:44 PM

The Cleveland Browns have listed rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf) as questionable to play this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Sampson didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but a return to the practice field on Friday gives him a chance of suiting up this weekend. The 21-year-old injured his calf in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers and never returned. If the first-round RB isn't cleared to face the Titans this Sunday, Jerome Ford would see more playing time as the backup to rookie Quinshon Judkins in a favorable matchup. Still, with Judkins seeing the majority of backfield work for the Browns, Ford wouldn't be expected to have enough volume to make him a realistic flex play in 12-team fantasy leagues. Sampson has averaged just 2.7 yards per carry in his first 12 NFL games, running for 112 yards and no TDs on 42 rushing attempts.