Who Should I Start? Rashid Shaheed or Rome Odunze

Thursday, October 17, 4:42 PM

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee) will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Shaheed was placed on the injured reserve earlier on Thursday but now faces a four-to-six-month recovery, which will keep him out for the remainder of the season. This is a significant loss for the New Orleans passing attack, as Shaheed was enjoying a breakout campaign. Across the first six weeks, Shaheed eclipsed 15.0 PPR points four times and averaged 58.2 yards per game. Fantasy managers should expect Chris Olave to be the top option once he returns from his concussion. On Thursday evening against the Denver Broncos, Bub Means and Mason Tipton will likely operate as the top two pass catchers.

Thursday, May 22, 3:32 PM

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is "extremely impressed" with wide receiver Rome Odunze this offseason. The Washington product had a decent rookie season considering the immense target competition from Keenan Allen and DJ Moore in 2024, especially while catching passes from a rookie quarterback. However, he was not a consistent fantasy football producer. With Johnson in Chicago and Allen out of the way, Odunze could be headed toward a Year-2 leap. "To be a second-year guy, you would expect a little bit more inconsistency," Johnson said. "And yet, the way he approaches the meeting room, the walk-throughs, the on-field, the drill work, it's very much like a seasoned pro, some of the best that I've been around." This is encouraging for Odunze's fantasy prospects, but the team added former Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and former Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III in the first two rounds of last month's draft, so target competition will remain a factor. The jury is also still out on Caleb Williams, and Odunze has a wide range of outcomes in 2025. His low-end WR3 cost in fantasy football drafts makes him an intriguing dart throw in redraft and best ball leagues.