Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Allen Lazard

Saturday, September 13, 3:22 AM

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling saw zero targets on 15 routes run in Week 1. With George Kittle (hamstring) now on injured reserve and Jauan Jennings (shoulder) tagged as questionable for San Francisco's Week 2 matchup against the Saints, it is possible that Valdes-Scantling plays a bigger role on Sunday. Unfortunately, Brock Purdy (toe, shoulder) has been ruled out so it will be Mac Jones under center, limiting Valdes-Scantling's upside even if he does see more playing time. MVS does have the ability to stretch the field but Jones' career completion rate on passes of 20 or more air yards is a mere 30%, effectively negating that threat. If it were Purdy running the show, Valdes-Scantling would have more potential but as it is, he has little viability in Week 2.

Sunday, September 14, 12:47 PM

New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard will make his 2025 debut in Week 2 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday after he was a healthy scratch in the season-opening loss last Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lazard might only be active because Josh Reynolds is out with a hamstring injury. Although it's notable for New York's passing attack, we wouldn't recommend the 29-year-old as a streaming option this weekend, even in deep fantasy leagues. Garrett Wilson will continue to draw the majority of aerial targets from quarterback Justin Fields. Lazard, who has struggled with drops in his two seasons with the Jets, will be competing for targets with Tyler Johnson mostly. Last year in New York, Lazard bounced back from a rough 2023 campaign to catch 37 passes for 530 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games (10 starts).