Who Should I Start? Russell Gage or Trenton Irwin

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.

Saturday, December 23, 10:47 PM

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trenton Irwin caught all four targets for 37 yards during Saturday's loss to the Steelers. Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) wasn't in the lineup, meaning extra targets were up for grabs. While Tee Higgins was the clear beneficiary, finishing with five receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown, Irwin had one of his best showings of the 2023-24 campaign. The 28-year-old had eight catches (10 targets) versus the Cardinals in early October, so he can get hot. However, Irwin isn't a trustworthy fantasy option in Week 17 versus the Chiefs, even though his ceiling will be higher if Chase isn't back on the field.