Who Should I Start? Sterling Shepard or Cooper Kupp

Friday, January 2, 11:40 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard has been completely phased out of the team's game plan with their WR corps at full strength, putting him on the back burner for fantasy. The 32-year-old was a bigger part of Tampa Bay's offense earlier in the campaign, as the receiving room dealt with a myriad of injuries. However, as veterans Mike Evans (rest) and Chris Godwin Jr., and second-year pro Jalen McMillan have returned to full health, Shepard has faded from the offense. In fact, Shepard has been a healthy scratch over the past few weeks, signaling the team's preference in the starting lineup. The Oklahoma product has been a fine secondary option over the course of his career, but he can be avoided for fantasy purposes in a loaded Bucs' pass-catching unit.

Friday, January 23, 9:11 PM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp will have a revenge game in the NFC Championship on Sunday against his former team, the Los Angeles Rams. Kupp is coming off one of his better games of the year in the Divisional Round blowout win over the San Francisco 49ers, catching all five of his targets for 60 yards. The 32-year-old took a clear back seat to star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba in his first year in Seattle, and he wasn't even among the top 50 WRs in half-PPR points per game. Kupp caught 47 of 70 targets during 16 regular-season games for 593 yards and only two touchdowns. He didn't stand out in either of the two previous games against L.A. this year, catching a combined six passes for 62 yards on 11 targets. The Rams have allowed the most half-PPR points per game to WRs in the last five weeks, but Kupp will continue to be a low-upside, touchdown-dependent receiver for fantasy purposes.