Who Should I Start? Kalif Raymond or Elic Ayomanor

Saturday, January 4, 4:23 PM

The Detroit Lions activated wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) and linebacker Alex Anzalone (forearm) from injured reserve on Saturday. Raymond had been sidelined ever since Week 12, and he's expected to remain behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Tim Patrick in the pecking order upon his return this weekend. He caught just 16 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns through the 11 games for which he was healthy this season, and he remains off the fantasy radar in all leagues. Meanwhile, Anzalone is back from a six-week absence. He contributed 56 tackles and one sack when healthy, and his return provides a major boost to a Lions defense that has been decimated by injuries in 2024.

Tuesday, June 24, 2:35 PM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver rookie Elic Ayomanor was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft following two excellent seasons at Stanford, in which he racked up 125 receptions for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns. Titans insider Easton Freeze believes the 206-pound pass-catcher will start for the team right away. "I'm calling my shot: I think 4th Round rookie Elic Ayomanor will be out there on the Titans' opening offensive play from scrimmage in Week 1. He's been my guy since the draft process, and I believe in his ability to both physically and mentally get up to speed in the NFL in a hurry," Freeze wrote. "He's the only true X receiver on this roster for my money, and that's where I think he's lined up to begin the year. I was really encouraged by what we've seen from him in practice so far, and look forward to his continued progress in Training Camp." While expectations for Tennessee's offense should be tempered with rookie quarterback Cam Ward under center, Ayomanor is undervalued in deeper fantasy football leagues if he's an opening-day starter. Many believed he would be selected in the top two rounds of April's draft, but he slipped to Day 3 and is evidently getting noticed early in his NFL career.