Who Should I Start? Rashod Bateman or Tetairoa McMillan

Saturday, December 20, 9:15 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has not been a dependable fantasy option throughout the 2025 season, and that trend should continue as he returns from injury in Week 16 against the New England Patriots. Bateman is the overall WR93 in scoring this year, catching just 18 of his 35 targets through 11 games. He has finished with more than two catches in just one game this year, and two of his games have resulted in zero catches. Bateman remains stuck behind Zay Flowers in a wide receiver room that handles a below-average number of targets. This week, he'll face off against a Patriots secondary facing injury-related question marks. Superstar cornerback Christian Gonzalez is healthy, but there's less certainty about Marcus Jones (knee) and Carlton Davis III (hip), who are both questionable. Regardless of their injury statuses, Bateman shouldn't be started in fantasy football this week. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR78 for Week 16.

Sunday, December 21, 8:08 PM

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan led the team in receiving in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, snagging six of 10 targets for 73 yards and a touchdown. The rookie first-rounder bounced back after three straight games with two catches or fewer. His 10 targets were his most in a game since his season-best performance in Week 11 against the Falcons, where he caught eight of 12 targets for 130 yards and two scores. The Panthers' WR1 continues to build his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has 65 receptions for 924 yards and seven touchdowns on 112 targets while playing all 15 games. McMillan will face a good test next week against the vaunted Seattle Seahawks defense.