Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Isaac TeSlaa


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
6.2 0.0 0.0 1.9 28.8 0.2

Rashod Bateman News

Ravens Using Rashod Bateman "Much Differently"

Friday, August 7, 1:42 PM

Baltimore Ravens veteran wide receiver Rashod Bateman said on Friday that new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is using him much differently than in his previous years with the Ravens, according to Bobby Trosset. "I'm moving around all over the place. In the past, I've been a one-dimensional receiver. I feel like he sees my talent. As a receiver, you want somebody to believe in you, to see your ability. I'm in the slot, outside. That's a blessing for me. I appreciate him for doing that so I get to show my talent more & more," Bateman said. It's something for fantasy managers to consider before completely writing off the 26-year-old former first-rounder in 2021 from the University of Minnesota. However, it's still hard to fathom Bateman being a weekly fantasy starter after disappointing in all but one of his five NFL seasons to this point, outside of his 45-756-9 line in 17 games in 2024. That feels especially true after Baltimore added rookie receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, who will be looking to take valuable targets away from Bateman in 2026. Unless WR1 Zay Flowers misses time with an injury, Bateman probably won't be much more than a deep-league bench stash at the WR position.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
5.8 0.3 0.0 1.8 24.7 0.2

Isaac TeSlaa News

Isaac TeSlaa's Growing Role Makes Him a Dynasty Buy

Saturday, August 8, 11:09 AM

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa didn't do much between the 20s as a rookie, but six touchdowns on 16 catches made it hard to ignore what his size can add to this offense. Detroit is giving him more to do now. The 24-year-old enters camp as the clear No. 3 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and Dan Campbell said the Lions had built a lot of trust in him by the end of last season. There is some noise in the late-season numbers, though. TeSlaa caught 12 balls over the final six weeks, but that run came after Sam LaPorta went on injured reserve. LaPorta is back at full strength, and Jahmyr Gibbs will also see plenty of targets. TeSlaa may never get enough volume to become a weekly fantasy starter in this offense. Still, Detroit traded up 32 spots to take him 70th overall last year, and his 6-foot-4 frame gives him a red-zone role that doesn't require huge target volume. RotoBaller has him 189th overall in its latest dynasty rankings. That's cheap enough to buy into the Year 2 role growth without paying for a breakout that's already happened.


Rashod Bateman vs. Isaac TeSlaa

Still trying to decide between Bateman and TeSlaa? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Rashod Bateman is projected to score 6.2 points this week while Isaac TeSlaa is projected to score 5.8 points.