Who Should I Start? Kalif Raymond or Olamide Zaccheaus

Wednesday, December 24, 10:32 PM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond had his best performance of the season in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Raymond could see an expanded role again in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, as top Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is questionable to play due to a knee injury. However, if St. Brown is active, there's reason to believe Raymond's performance in Week 16 is unlikely to be repeated. Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw 54 passes against Pittsburgh, 17 more than he attempted in his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9. Additionally, Minnesota has been a very tough matchup for opposing passing attacks. The Vikings enter the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). Raymond has some upside as a deep-league flex option for fantasy managers if St. Brown is sidelined. If St. Brown is active, fantasy managers should likely avoid Raymond in Week 17.

Sunday, December 28, 7:15 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (illness) is inactive for Sunday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17. He had been listed as questionable after the Bears added him to the injury report on Sunday morning. The late addition created plenty of concern about his status, and in the end, he won't be able to suit up. This is a significant loss for the Bears, who had already ruled out wide receiver Rome Odunze. With Zaccheaus and Odunze sidelined, Caleb Williams should target DJ Moore and Luther Burden III more often. Moore is a strong WR2, while Burden can be deployed as a solid WR3/flex. Meanwhile, Zaccheaus is droppable in most redraft leagues, since he'll likely be the Bears' No. 4 wide receiver upon his return.