Who Should I Start? Sterling Shepard or Gage Larvadain

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.

Saturday, August 9, 6:22 AM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Gage Larvadain carried the ball once for a four-yard touchdown and caught two of his three targets for 23 yards in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in preseason action on Friday. Larvadain punched in a short touchdown in the third quarter to give the Browns a 21-7 lead. The undrafted rookie out of South Carolina also handled two punt returns, but he ultimately was forced from the game early with what is being called a lower-body injury. Larvadain will hope to be ready to return to the field in time for the Browns' next preseason game, which is set for next Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles.