Who Should I Start? Terry McLaurin or Jayden Reed

Friday, December 20, 7:14 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin should be viewed as a top-12 option in Week 16 when he faces the Philadelphia Eagles in a pivotal NFC East clash. McLaurin is carrying a three-game touchdown streak into this matchup. In his past two games, he has found the end zone twice in each of them. Since Week 3, the Ohio State product has averaged a stellar 18.3 PPR points per game with 77.5 yards per game. McLaurin is on track to post his fifth-straight 1,000-yard campaign. However, he has a difficult task ahead of him this weekend, facing the Philadelphia Eagles, who have allowed the fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season. In their previous Week 11 matchup, the Eagles held McLaurin to just one reception. Despite his struggles last time, fantasy managers should feel confident starting him in all formats as a WR1, given his strong production all season. In addition, with Noah Brown (kidney) on the IR and Zach Ertz (concussion) questionable, McLaurin could even see a higher target share in this matchup.

Saturday, December 21, 4:41 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed had a hot start to his 2024 NFL season but has been stuck in a slump and Reed looks like climb out of it in Week 16 against the New Orleans Saints. Reed has 34 receiving yards or fewer and is averaging less than four targets per game in his last five games. While Reed has three touchdowns in those games, those touchdowns are what is fueling his fantasy value lately, not his target-earning ability. Add in Romeo Doubs returning to the Packers' lineup from concussion protocol last week, and that addition continues to smooth out targets for every other pass-catching option for Green Bay. The Saints have been a middle-of-the-pack team in defending slot receivers this season, so the matchup good. Despite that, Reed is a low-end flex option for fantasy managers given the Packers' focus on the run and dwindling passing-game opportunities.