Who Should I Start? Mack Hollins or Casey Washington

Thursday, August 28, 6:06 PM

The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins "has probably been the best option" in training camp to start outside across from Stefon Diggs. DeMario Douglas is slated to start in the slot for the team in three-wide sets under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Graff guesses that Hollins will "get the most snaps there in Week 1." Kayshon Boutte had 589 receiving yards last year (Hollins had just 378). Beyond Hollins and Boutte, the best long-term option is rookie third-rounder Kyle Williams. Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker were released on Wednesday. It's notable for the 31-year-old Hollins, but it won't be a big enough role for fantasy managers to take notice in 12-team leagues, especially with second-year quarterback Drake Maye expected to have plenty of growing pains in his first year as the full-time starter.

Saturday, September 13, 10:09 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington (concussion) did not pass the league's concussion protocol and will be inactive on Sunday against the Vikings. The 24-year-old had his best game in the NFL last week, hauling in three of his six targets for 33 yards, but suffered a concussion during the fourth quarter of the contest. The University of Illinois product's six targets were fourth-most on the team and more than veteran Ray-Ray McCloud III's five targets, potentially signaling a changing of the guard for the third wide receiver spot in the Atlanta offense, but it was likely more a product of Darnell Mooney's absence in Week 1 than anything else. With Mooney expected to play in Week 2 but with Washington out, we'll have to see how things shake out in Week 3 in order to get a better feel for Washington's role in this offense. For now, Washington can be left to the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.