Who Should I Start? Mack Hollins or Kalif Raymond

Saturday, December 27, 6:33 PM

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen) was placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. Hollins was already expected to sit out in Week 17. The 32-year-old is now done for the rest of the regular season and won't play again unless the Pats make a deep playoff run. The loss of Hollins is pretty significant, considering he has seen 17 targets over the last two games. The absence of Hollins should mean larger roles for DeMario Douglas (hamstring) and Kyle Williams in the passing attack. Fantasy managers should view Williams as a possible deep league FLEX option with Hollins unavailable for the Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets. As for Douglas, he is questionable to play on Sunday but should see an increased role with Hollins and Kayshon Boutte (concussion) sidelined if active.

Wednesday, December 24, 10:32 PM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond had his best performance of the season in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Raymond could see an expanded role again in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, as top Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is questionable to play due to a knee injury. However, if St. Brown is active, there's reason to believe Raymond's performance in Week 16 is unlikely to be repeated. Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw 54 passes against Pittsburgh, 17 more than he attempted in his first matchup of the season against the Vikings in Week 9. Additionally, Minnesota has been a very tough matchup for opposing passing attacks. The Vikings enter the week ranked second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). Raymond has some upside as a deep-league flex option for fantasy managers if St. Brown is sidelined. If St. Brown is active, fantasy managers should likely avoid Raymond in Week 17.