Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Jack Bech

Tuesday, August 5, 8:10 PM

Free-agent wide receiver Keenan Allen has agreed to a one-year, $8.52 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. Allen, 33, spent the first 11 years of his career with the Chargers after going in the third round of the 2013 draft. He became one of the most productive players in franchise history, hauling in 904 passes and 60 touchdowns while earning six Pro Bowl nods. Allen went to the Chicago Bears via trade before last season and posted respectable production with 70 grabs, 744 yards, and six scores, but he remained on the open market for several months. He's now reuniting with quarterback Justin Herbert and giving him another significant receiving weapon to join Ladd McConkey (undisclosed), who hasn't practiced as a result of an undisclosed injury. McConkey should be fine, but the Chargers still found themselves in need of help after the recent retirement of Mike Williams. Allen visited the Chargers last week, and head coach Jim Harbaugh publicly expressed a desire for the team to sign him. Harbaugh got his wish. Based on Allen's track record and his rapport with Herbert, he should continue to be an asset for fantasy managers.

Tuesday, July 22, 9:52 PM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Jack Bech "has some work to do to make up ground" in the battle for a starting role next to veteran Jakobi Meyers, according to Tashan Reed. Reed writes that Bech is competing with fellow rookie Dont'e Thornton and third-year speedster Tre Tucker for playing time. He also notes that Thornton stood out in offseason workouts and that Tucker worked ahead of Bech during OTAs. The Raiders drafted Bech in the second round out of TCU in April. He recorded 62 catches for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games for the Horned Frogs in 2024. Bech is known as a slot receiver, but he's blocked by Meyers and star tight end Brock Bowers for that role in Las Vegas. He's still an intriguing late-round dart throw in re-draft leagues due to his talent and draft pedigree, but it appears Bech has improvements to make before he can be counted on for fantasy production.