Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Jayden Higgins

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, August 5, 12:52 PM

The Houston Texans released their first unofficial depth chart of the preseason on Tuesday, and rookie wide receiver Jayden Higgins was listed as a starter next to Nico Collins and Christian Kirk. As we always say, take unofficial depth charts with a grain of sand in the preseason. It's a good sign for the 22-year-old second-rounder, but it hardly guarantees him a big role right away in his first NFL season in Houston. The Iowa State product was productive in college and showed plenty of athleticism at the scouting combine in February. The problem is that Collins should continue to be a target hog through the air in an offense with a shaky offensive line. It's possible that Higgins could continue ascending and leapfrog Kirk for WR2 duties, but that will likely take time. Consider Higgins a decent late-round dart throw for receiver depth in fantasy drafts.