Who Should I Start? Terry McLaurin or Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Tuesday, August 19, 10:14 AM

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Washington Commanders Terry McLaurin may not find a team willing to give him the desired contract of $30+ million per year. Instead, Russini's sources tell her that most teams view McLaurin as a $27-$28 million player. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor McLaurin's status as he continues a "hold-in" with his team. McLaurin has been seeking a contract extension with the Commanders, but the team has been unwilling to pay him the figure he is seeking. Last season, the former Ohio State Buckeye enjoyed a career year with Jayden Daniels under center. McLaurin found the back of the end zone an impressive 13 times and tallied at least 1,000 yards for the fifth-straight campaign. With McLaurin continuing to hold out, fantasy managers should expect Deebo Samuel Sr. to continue to serve as their top pass catcher.

Saturday, August 16, 10:46 AM

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught one pass for seven yards in Friday's preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Seahawks' starting offense got its first run of the preseason on the team's opening drive. Smith-Njigba was lined up all over the field and caught his lone pass out of the backfield. It appears that offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's play-calling will be more creative than what the Seahawks had in 2024. With Smith-Njigba now entrenched as Seattle's No. 1 wide receiver, it was encouraging to see him moved around the field to create preferred matchups and manufacture touches. While JSN's time on the field on Friday was short, fantasy managers can come away from this game with more confidence to draft him.