Who Should I Start? Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Keith Kirkwood

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.

Wednesday, February 19, 9:35 PM

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed veteran wide receiver Keith Kirkwood to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday, according to the league's personnel notice. Kirkwood spent the entire 2024 season on Baltimore's practice squad and will now return to workout with the team this offseason and through training camp this summer. The 30-year-old pass-catcher made his NFL debut in 2018 with the New Orleans Saints and spent two years in the Big Easy before playing two seasons with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and 2021. He then returned to New Orleans in 2022 and 2023. Kirkwood's best season was his rookie year, when he caught 13 of 21 targets for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He has accumulated only 24 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns on 43 targets in his six seasons in the NFL.