Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Tuesday, October 7, 2:11 PM

The Minnesota Vikings are on a bye in Week 6, but their return to the field could have fantasy implications for wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) has not played since Week 2, but the team is targeting Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles as his projected return. Jefferson drew 6.5 targets in two games with McCarthy compared to 9.7 with backup Carson Wentz, though Minnesota has been much more intentional about getting their star wideout the ball in the past two weeks, throwing his way a robust 22 times. Despite Minnesota facing tons of injury issues on the offensive line and both opponents surely game-planning for Jefferson to be heavily featured, he still put up 100-yard efforts in both games. Among fantasy receivers, Jefferson is about as QB-proof as there is, but McCarthy's return still will be a variable worth monitoring.

Saturday, October 11, 6:20 AM

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has seen his playing time jump since Tyreek Hill (knee) was lost for the season, and the veteran could be more involved this week against the Chargers. Westbrook-Ikhine played about 30% of snaps in Week 2 and Week 3 but saw that number jump to 47% in Week 4 and 71% in Week 5, the first complete game without Hill. While Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington each got more targets, NWI was the receiver who got the big bump in playing time. Unfortunately, he didn't turn that playing time into any production. He wasn't even targeted despite playing 39 snaps against the Panthers and has been held to only one catch on one target in the last three weeks. He's RotoBaller's WR82, so he's still well off the radar for Week 6 against the Chargers, but his increase in playing time could eventually lead to better results for the free agent addition.