Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Drake London

Saturday, January 4, 4:18 AM

After opening the week with a limited session, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) practiced in full for a second consecutive day and has no designation going into the team's Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 30-year-old was sidelined in Week 16 due to a combination of a back issue and illness that interrupted his rehab. In Week 17, he was active though a massive hit in the fourth quarter took him out of the game early. Even though he will be active, it will be hard to rely on MVS for fantasy purposes. His success earlier this season was tied to touchdowns and big gains on deep passes. In his three biggest games he racked up 232 yards and four touchdowns but did so on just ten targets. Spencer Rattler will be under center again for the season finale and while he has shown decent arm strength as a spot starter, his accuracy (or lack thereof) will not do MVS any favors. His potential would be further dampened by the return of Chris Olave (concussion) who is listed as questionable. Valdes-Scantling was a bright spot for a few weeks in 2024 but he should not be in a starting lineup in Week 18.

Sunday, January 5, 5:13 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London had a career day as he brought in ten of his 18 targets for 187 yards and two touchdowns during their overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. This surpassed London's previous career-high of 172 yards he set during Week 14 of the 2023 season. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. leaned heavily on London in this contest as his 18 targets were 11 more than any other Atlanta pass-catcher. London found the end zone at the end of the second quarter on a 20-yard pass. London would score again in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard reception. The former first-round selection enjoyed the best season of his NFL career tallying 1,217 yards and nine total scores. This was the first time he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in his career. London should be viewed as a high-end WR2 heading into the offseason.