Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Elic Ayomanor

Wednesday, March 12, 1:12 PM

Free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is signing with the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 30-year-old is set to join his fourth team in three years after posting 17 receptions on 35 targets for 385 yards and four touchdowns in eight games with the New Orleans Saints to close out the 2024 campaign. MVS was originally a fifth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of USF and has totaled 205 catches for 3,566 yards, and 20 touchdowns in 106 career games. While the veteran is unlikely to be a consistent fantasy producer, he could have spike weeks in Seattle's new-look offense led by Sam Darnold. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett out of town, Valdes-Scantling could have the opportunity to start in three-wide sets from Day 1 of the 2025 NFL season.

Tuesday, June 24, 2:35 PM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver rookie Elic Ayomanor was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft following two excellent seasons at Stanford, in which he racked up 125 receptions for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns. Titans insider Easton Freeze believes the 206-pound pass-catcher will start for the team right away. "I'm calling my shot: I think 4th Round rookie Elic Ayomanor will be out there on the Titans' opening offensive play from scrimmage in Week 1. He's been my guy since the draft process, and I believe in his ability to both physically and mentally get up to speed in the NFL in a hurry," Freeze wrote. "He's the only true X receiver on this roster for my money, and that's where I think he's lined up to begin the year. I was really encouraged by what we've seen from him in practice so far, and look forward to his continued progress in Training Camp." While expectations for Tennessee's offense should be tempered with rookie quarterback Cam Ward under center, Ayomanor is undervalued in deeper fantasy football leagues if he's an opening-day starter. Many believed he would be selected in the top two rounds of April's draft, but he slipped to Day 3 and is evidently getting noticed early in his NFL career.