Who Should I Start? Keenan Allen or Rashod Bateman

Friday, August 15, 10:59 AM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen and quarterback Justin Herbert have "picked up right where they left off in 2023," according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Allen spent the 2024 season with the Chicago Bears, but he racked up 150 targets, 108 receptions, 1,243 yards, and seven touchdowns in just 13 games during the 2023 season with the Chargers. The 33-year-old is at a different point in his career, and Los Angeles now runs a much less pass-happy offense under play-caller Greg Roman. Allen should not be expected to produce like he did two seasons ago, but he could still be a high-floor bye-week replacement in fantasy, particularly in PPR-scoring formats.

Monday, July 28, 4:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.