Who Should I Start? Raheem Blackshear or Puka Nacua

Tuesday, July 1, 9:30 PM

Carolina Panthers running back Raheem Blackshear will "almost exclusively be a special teams player" in 2025 if the team elects to keep a fourth RB around beyond training camp, writes The Charlotte Observer's Alex Zietlow. The Panthers only kept three RBs a year ago. Even with rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) out for most of last season, Blackshear didn't have a single rushing attempt until Week 16. The 27-year-old will primarily be competing with David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Hunter Renfrow for a spot on the team's 53-man roster as a return option. The former undrafted free agent in 2022 has had 68 touches for 341 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on offense for the Panthers in the last three years while adding 66 kickoff returns for 1,734 yards and 23 punt returns for 200 yards. He's off the fantasy radar in the vast majority of leagues.

Sunday, January 4, 9:00 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua caught 10 of his 11 targets for 76 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also rushed for 24 yards on two carries. The Rams had already locked up either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture before Week 18, but head coach Sean McVay still wanted to play all of his starters. Both Nacua and quarterback Matthew Stafford played the full game, and the duo showed off their strong rapport once again on Sunday evening. Despite a mid-season injury, Nacua finishes his third regular season in the NFL with 129 catches, 1,715 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns, ranking as the overall WR1 in full-PPR leagues. He'll be a key weapon for the Rams as they look to make a deep playoff run, starting with Wild Card Weekend against the Carolina Panthers.