Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Darius Slayton

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.

Thursday, September 11, 6:51 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (groin) popped up on Thursday's injury report and was listed as a limited participant in practice despite not showing up on the initial Week 2 injury report on Wednesday. If Slayton is unable to return to a full practice on Friday, he could be considered questionable for the Week 2 matchup against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Even if the 28-year-old is cleared to play this weekend, fantasy managers in most leagues should be avoiding Slayton in a Giants offense that struggled to move the ball in the season-opening loss to the Washington Commanders under new quarterback Russell Wilson. At best, Slayton is a low-volume WR3 in New York's offense behind Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson. In Week 1, he failed to corral his only target from Wilson.