Who Should I Start? Ray-Ray McCloud III or Rashod Bateman

Thursday, October 23, 12:48 AM

The New York Giants have signed former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III to their practice squad pending a physical, according to Art Stapleton of USA Today. McCloud was released from the Falcons on Tuesday after serving as a healthy inactive for the past two weeks. The 29-year-old wideout caught just six of 14 targets for 64 yards in four games with the Falcons before being released, but now lands with a New York Giants team that is desperate for wide receivers with star Malik Nabers (knee) out for the season. McCloud was a useful receiver for Atlanta last season while also having plenty of experience as a return man on special teams. He figures to be in the mix for routes early in New York, but likely won't be relevant for fantasy purposes.

Saturday, October 25, 11:13 AM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is in the midst of quite a rough fantasy season. Outside of his big game against the Detroit Lions, he's scored a total of nine fantasy points in the other five games in half-PPR formats. It turns out that when Lamar Jackson (hamstring) is hurt, there's no one to throw a deep ball to Bateman. In Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, Bateman could have his starting QB back under center with a good matchup in front of him. Nahshon Wright is likely to lineup opposite him, and he's allowed 8.6 yards per target and four touchdowns so far this year. Bateman's value is quite dependent on Jackson playing, so he'll be off the fantasy radar if the two-time MVP can't suit up.