Who Should I Start? Russell Gage or Laviska Shenault Jr.

Monday, March 11, 6:31 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Russell Gage (knee) is now a free agent. When the team reworked his deal last year, it included an option for the 2024 season, and the team has declined to pick it up. The move clears what would have been $10 million in salary, but the Bucs will take on roughly $6.9 million in dead money from old restructures. Gage signed a three-year, $30 million in free agency before the 2022 season to give quarterback Tom Brady another weapon in the passing game. He did have a career-high five touchdowns in 2022, but he also had a disappointing 51 catches for 426 yards and didn't play at all last year due to a torn patellar tendon that he suffered in training camp in August. The 28-year-old should resurface with another team, but coming off a major knee injury, it's unlikely that he'll be able to make much of a fantasy impact wherever he lands.

Tuesday, April 2, 4:08 PM

Free-agent wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. is signing with the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN reporter Brady Henderson. Shenault was originally a second-round pick in 2020 by the Jacksonville Jaguars out of Colorado, but he has not found his footing over the first four seasons of his career. The 25-year-old posted at least 600 receiving yards in each of his two seasons with the Jagaurs but totaled just 332 yards in 21 games during his two-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. With DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the roster, it'd be a big surprise if he's a fantasy-relevant player in 2024. Assuming he makes the 53-man roster, he'll likely be utilized as a depth player and a special teamer.