Who Should I Start? Sterling Shepard or Calvin Ridley

Sunday, February 22, 10:27 AM

Across 13 games in 2025, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard recorded 39 receptions for 371 yards and one touchdown on 53 targets. With veteran Buccaneers wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. sidelined for a significant portion of the year by injury, Shepard saw increased opportunity for playing time, particularly early in the season. However, he was largely unable to hold off Bucs rookie wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, and the late-season return of second-year wideout Jalen McMillan pushed Shepard even further down the depth chart. Shepard is now set for unrestricted free agency, and a change of scenery away from the crowded wide receiver room in Tampa Bay could help his fantasy outlook. Still, Shepard is entering his age-33 season and has not recorded 40 receptions in a season since 2020. Regardless of where he ends up in 2026, Shepard's fantasy-relevant days may be behind him.

Friday, February 6, 10:10 AM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (leg) had by far the worst season of his career in 2025, recording 17 receptions for 303 yards and zero touchdowns on 36 targets. The 31-year-old was also limited to just seven games played. After suffering a hamstring injury in Week 6 that sidelined him for over a month, Ridley broke his fibula upon his return in Week 11, landing him on Injured Reserve and ending his season. Ridley still has two years remaining on his current contract with the Titans, but Tennessee has a potential out this offseason that would leave them with a manageable dead cap hit. As a result, Ridley may be looking for a new home as he enters his age-32 season coming off a major leg injury. Before 2025, Ridley had posted consecutive seasons with at least 120 targets and 1,000 receiving yards, so he may bounce back in 2026. However, the veteran wideout's dynasty fantasy value should be plummeting after his disastrous 2025 campaign.