Who Should I Start? Ladd McConkey or Mason Tipton

Friday, January 2, 10:20 AM

Across 16 games this season, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey has recorded 66 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns on 106 targets. Over the second half of the season, the 24-year-old has seen his role in the Chargers' offense minimized. Across six games since Week 10, McConkey has not recorded more than six targets, four receptions, or 43 receiving yards in any contest. While McConkey remains one of his team's top wideouts, he's not an every-down player. Over his last nine games, McConkey has played more than 76% of the Chargers' offensive snaps just twice. In Week 18, Los Angeles will rest quarterback Justin Herbert in preparation for the AFC playoffs, leaving McConkey to catch passes from backup signal-caller Trey Lance. McConkey himself could see a reduced snap share, and he's facing a tough defense in the Denver Broncos. Fantasy managers can view McConkey as a low-end WR3/flex option in Week 18.

Friday, January 2, 4:15 PM

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton (groin) has officially been ruled out for Week 18's game against the Atlanta Falcons and will be placed on Injured Reserve, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. Tipton's season will officially come to an end after suffering a groin injury in Week 16 versus the New York Jets, causing him to miss last week's game. The 25-year-old wideout recorded 11 receptions for 76 yards on 17 targets in 14 games this season. He saw his opportunities increase later in the season, playing 66.4% of the offensive snaps in Weeks 12-16 and collected all of his production during that span after playing only 10.5% of the snaps over the first 10 weeks of the season. With top wideout Chris Olave (illness) also ruled out, the available receivers for the Saints in Week 18 will be Kevin Austin Jr., Dante Pettis, Ronnie Bell, and Samori Toure.