Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Matthew Golden

Friday, October 17, 6:19 PM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is coming off his lowest snap rate (56.3%) and second-lowest route rate (66.7%) of the season, posting just four catches for 27 yards on seven targets against the Miami Dolphins last week. He was out-targeted by both Ladd McConkey and rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden, even with teammate Quentin Johnston (hamstring) sidelined. While his declining usage is concerning, Allen has a favorable matchup against a middle-tier, banged-up Indianapolis Colts pass defense, particularly against DB Mekhi Blackmon, who is allowing an average of 11.3 yards per target. Historically, Allen performs better with Johnston on the field, so the latter's likely return could relieve some pressure on the veteran. RotoBaller ranks Allen as WR25 this week, making him a high-end WR3/FLEX option with potential upside in a shootout, but managers should be cautious of his decreasing volume.

Friday, October 17, 5:20 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden is getting better fantasy production little by little each week, and looks to get into the end zone when the Packers head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals in Week 7. Golden has seen a slight uptick in involvement in targets when he's on the field, as his targets per route run have crept upwards in the last three weeks, up to last week's season-high 21.7 percent. In that three-game stretch, Golden has also averaged five targets, so there's room to grow there as well. Even with the spread-out nature of the targets in the passing game, Golden has clear upside and will be a flex-worthy fantasy wide receiver in Week 7 for Green Bay's matchup against the Cardinals.