Who Should I Start? Nick Westbrook-Ikhine or Drake Maye

Friday, December 20, 1:48 PM

According to Turron Davenport of ESPN, wide receivers Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (ankle) and Tyler Boyd (foot) both returned to practice on Friday. This is a great sign for their status heading into the weekend as both were listed as non-participants during the first two practices of the week. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday's final injury report as both wideouts may carry an injury designation into the weekend given their non-participation earlier in the week. After tallying eight touchdown in eight games during Weeks 6 through 13, Westbrook-Ikhine has brought in just three passes over his past two games. Boyd has tallied at least 35 yards in three of his past four games while operating as the clear No.3 option. If one of the wideouts were to sit out, Calvin Ridley would see a significant uptick in targets.

Friday, December 20, 11:33 AM

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye will get his first taste of December football in Orchard Park during Sunday's divisional matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Maye is coming off a solid game against the Arizona Cardinals in which he registered 202 passing yards, 14 rushing yards, two total touchdowns, and one interception. While the No. 3 pick has been prone to turnovers this year, last Sunday's interception wasn't his fault as a well-placed pass tipped off his receiver's hand and into the arms of a Cardinals. Moving forward, Maye continues to rank just outside the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks. This week's game has a potential high-scoring factor if the Bills take an early lead and force the Patriots to throw the football while playing from behind. However, the Patriots have a shown a reliance on the rushing attack this year, so it's possible that New England's coaching staff looks to shorten the game by putting the ball in the hands of Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson more often. Maye's rushing upside is capped against a Bills defense allowing the fewest rushing attempts and 10th-fewest rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks in 2024, but he should still make an impact through the air. Maye is worth starting in two-quarterback leagues, as well as leagues with at least 14 teams.