Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Donovan Peoples-Jones

Saturday, September 23, 9:44 PM

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is yet to mesh with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2023, administering four catches (five targets) for 61 yards across Weeks 1 and 2. The 24-year-old at least hopes in Week 3 versus the Chicago Bears to run into the coverage of struggling 2023 second-rounder Tyrique Stevenson, who was dwarfed by Mike Evans and company in Week 2 for a 5/140/1 receiving line against him. Stevenson also had trouble defending a short-handed Green Bay Packers receiving corps in the season opener for a 3/42/1 line opposing him. Valdes-Scantling could draw a few extra looks if Kadarius Toney (toe) is missing or limited on Sunday, considering the latter has commanded 10 targets on a mere 28 routes despite his well-known struggles. MVS participated in 87% of K.C.'s offensive snaps a week ago, but he would only be Hail Mary WR4 recourse whether Toney is active or not.

Tuesday, September 19, 11:44 AM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones did very little in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, catching just one of his four targets for a seven-yard gain. There was a chance that Peoples-Jones was going to have a big role in this one with Amari Cooper questionable to play due to a groin injury, but Cooper was active and led the Browns with seven receptions on 10 targets for 90 yards in the 26-22 loss. DPJ did play a team-high 88.1 percent of the offensive snaps, but he just wasn't targeted much by a struggling Deshaun Watson. So far, Cooper and Elijah Moore have been Watson's favorite targets, with People-Jones catching only two passes for 19 yards through the season's first two weeks.