Who Should I Start? Tee Higgins or Rashod Bateman

Tuesday, January 27, 5:47 PM

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will always be in the shadow of Ja'Marr Chase as long as the two stay in Cincy, but it doesn't mean that Higgins cannot continue to be productive. The 27-year-old hasn't had a 1,000-yard season since 2022, but what he's lacked in yardage the last two seasons, he's made up for with trips to the end zone, scoring a whopping 21 times in 27 games the last two years. In 15 regular-season games in 2025, Higgins caught 59 of his 98 targets for 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns. Despite missing some games due to injury and losing valuable targets to Chase, Higgins still managed to finish as the WR14 in half-PPR scoring. The former second-rounder isn't without injury concerns, but when he's healthy, he has excellent chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow and also a nose for paydirt. Higgins has had at least five TDs in each of his six NFL seasons and will enter the 2026 campaign as a strong WR2 target.

Friday, January 2, 9:28 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) is listed as questionable but is expected to suit up for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bateman is likely to play despite missing practice all week due to a lingering illness. The Ravens are likely going to wait and see how Bateman feels closer to game time before making a final decision. Even if he's active, Bateman isn't a reliable fantasy option. Since Week 11, Bateman has hauled in three receptions for 30 yards. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help, even if Bateman is active. The absence of Bateman would mean slightly increased value for DeAndre Hopkins and Tylan Wallace in a must-win game that will decide the AFC North division.