Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Calvin Austin III

Friday, September 12, 11:12 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman didn't join in on the scoring in Week 1 despite the team hanging 40 points against the Buffalo Bills. Despite seeing a new career high almost across the board last season, Bateman is the definition of boom-or-bust when it comes to fantasy purposes. That's personified in the two matchups against the Cleveland Browns last season, where he posted one reception for 28 yards in Week 8, and then had five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown in Week 18. He's still a threat to go for a long touchdown, but he's a big risk as a flex play for those that aren't in deeper fantasy leagues.

Monday, September 15, 11:59 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III was not as productive this past Sunday as he was in Week 1's win over the Jets. However, he was Pittsburgh's leading snap-getter amongst the team's wideouts. Austin III reeled in just 1-of-4 targets for 22 yards in their 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but participated on one more snap than running mate DKMetcalf. Metcalf still paced the team in targets as he did the week prior, but Pittsburgh is throwing it a ton, so there's enough to go around for at least one more pass-catcher. Austin III remains a boom-bust option out wide for now, although he's more intriguing in 2025 than in seasons past. If quarterback Aaron Rodgers can exhibit some consistency, he'll be more useful for fantasy than not.