Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Ja'Marr Chase

Friday, January 2, 10:12 AM

Through 16 games, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has had the least productive season of his career. The 26-year-old has recorded 76 receptions for 947 yards and two touchdowns on 130 targets. Inconsistent quarterback play in Minnesota has been the biggest problem for Jefferson in 2025. The Vikings may get QB1 J.J. McCarthy (hand) back from the hand injury that sidelined him in Week 17 for their Week 18 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. However, Jefferson has recorded just 19 catches for 227 yards and zero touchdowns across McCarthy's last five starts. While Jefferson remains one of the most talented pass-catchers in the NFL, the offensive environment around him in Minnesota this season makes it difficult to trust him for consistent production. Jefferson profiles as a WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 18.

Sunday, January 4, 9:49 PM

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had a big game in his team's 20-18 Week 18 loss to the Cleveland Browns, recording eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. The 25-year-old had another excellent season in 2025, hauling in 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns on 185 targets across 16 games played. Across seven games started by Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Chase averaged 106 receiving yards per contest and recorded four touchdown grabs. Chase has been named to the Pro Bowl in all five of his NFL seasons and could be on his way to a second consecutive All-Pro selection. As long as he makes it through the offseason healthy, Chase figures to be one of the first wide receivers off the board in fantasy drafts heading into the 2026 season.