Who Should I Start? Khalil Shakir or C.J. Stroud

Monday, September 15, 3:09 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir was a fantasy non-factor in a 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, hauling in one of two targets for 12 yards. It was the first time that Shakir received fewer than six targets since Week 5 of last season, ending a 14-game streak (including playoffs). It should be noted that the Bills leaned more on their rushing attack than the pass in an easy victory, so nobody other than running back James Cook put up gaudy numbers. Shakir seldom posts huge production anyway, though he is consistently solid and should see an uptick in targets on Thursday against the Miami Dolphins. Shakir combined for 11 catches on 12 targets last season in two meetings with the Dolphins, whose pass defense has been woeful during an 0-2 start this year.

Sunday, September 14, 6:08 AM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is hoping for a bounce-back season after a down year in 2024, but the new season didn't start well in the Texans' 14-9 loss to the Rams in Week 1. Stroud was limited to just 188 passing yards while completing 19-of-27 passes. He was under pressure from the Rams' strong pass rush most of the day and wasn't able to create enough big plays down the field. His interception came on a pass that was snatched out of the hands of his receiver, so it wasn't really on him. However, he didn't make enough big plays or lead any touchdown drives. Even with new offensive coordinator Nick Caley in command, the issues from last season were evident once again in Week 1. Stroud and the Texans will look to get on track against the Buccaneers in the first game of Monday Night Football's doubleheader, but with how rough the Texans' offense looked, it's hard to support Stroud as a QB1. In the RotoBaller rankings, he's QB17, making him a decent QB2 but a long shot to start in standard, single-QB leagues.