Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Rashid Shaheed

Tuesday, November 11, 10:12 AM

Coming off a frustrating loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson vowed to improve following a rare quiet game. Jefferson was targeted 12 times, but caught only four for 37 yards. A number of factors led to Minnesota's struggles, most notably eight false start penalties that had the offense playing from behind most of the day. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the NFL's youngest starter at age 22, has been inconsistent, but the Vikings saw promise in two near-connections with Jefferson. On the first, McCarthy saw Baltimore's zero coverage and heaved a deep ball to Jefferson, who lost his footing with incidental contact, leading to an interception. The star receiver also nearly caught a touchdown on an accurate ball in traffic that would have been a tough catch, but he said he views it as his job to "make the 50-50 opportunity catches look 70-30," according to The Athletic. For fantasy managers, Jefferson is a must-start player every week, but the Vikings look like they're going to be erratic as they weather McCarthy's growing pains.

Saturday, November 8, 11:04 AM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was acquired less than one week ago, but he could make an immediate impact while facing off against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. The 27-year-old had 44 catches, 499 yards, and two touchdowns through nine games with poor quarterback play in New Orleans, so the sky is the limit as he gets paired up with a gunslinging quarterback in Sam Darnold, who threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns just last week. While Shaheed may face a brief adjustment period as he acclimates to the new system, we expect that he'll be thrust into a high-volume role pretty quickly, even if by necessity. Seattle is dealing with numerous wide receiver injuries, leaving Shaheed in line to share No. 2 receiver duties with Cooper Kupp (hamstring, heel). Managers should view Shaheed as a WR3/flex most weeks. His floor and ceiling should both increase after just a few games with the Seahawks.