Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or DJ Chark

Tuesday, July 15, 2:11 PM

There are as many as five wide receivers battling for one or two roster spots this summer with the New England Patriots, including Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, according to Patriots.com's Evan Lazar. Bourne could have a leg up, as he has a history with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, posting a career-high 925 scrimmage yards with McDaniels in 2021. However, Bourne has overlapping skill sets with younger receivers on the roster, and the Pats may prefer to go with youth, especially since Bourne carries a $7.7 million salary cap hit. Boutte, who broke out last year for 43 catches, 589 yards and three scores, could earn a roster spot because of his ability to excel deep down the field. He has also developed some nice chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye. Polk and Baker both disappointed in their rookie seasons and will need to show more to get a chance in 2025.

Friday, July 25, 5:09 PM

Veteran free-agent wide receiver DJ Chark, who spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers, is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Chark, who has also played with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers, will now head to the NFC South after going on several visits. The 28-year-old former second-rounder (61st overall) by the Jags in 2018 out of LSU spent most of last year with the Bolts injured and only managed to catch four of 10 targets for 31 yards and a touchdown in seven games (no starts). Chark's only 1,000-yard season in his seven years in the NFL came back in 2019 with Jacksonville in his second year in the league. He will give the Falcons receiver depth but will be fighting for a 53-man roster spot, so he can remain off the fantasy radar mostly everywhere for now.