Who Should I Start? Terry McLaurin or Troy Franklin

Saturday, October 25, 12:47 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quad) is "good to go" and will play in his team's Week 8 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. McLaurin has missed each of his team's last four games due to a quad injury. In three games before getting injured, the 30-year-old recorded 10 catches for 149 yards on 17 targets. Given his long layoff, Washington may choose to limit his snaps in Week 8 and re-integrate him into the offense slowly. Additionally, McLaurin will be playing with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels (hamstring). Both of those factors should lead fantasy managers to temper expectations for McLaurin. Still, he profiles as a low-end WR3/flex option in Week 8 against Kansas City.

Monday, October 6, 6:39 PM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin falls to the third option for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix while facing the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. He caught three of five targets for 35 yards in Sunday's 21-17 win over the Eagles. Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram were first and second on the team with 10 and six targets. While Franklin has seemed to be on the field the second most out of any of the receiving group, the 22-year-old has been underwhelming for fantasy lineups since his explosive outing in Week 2. With Broncos head coach Sean Payton preferring taller wide receivers, this could be one of the primary reasons Franklin has been on the field more than anyone else. Still, he will need to capitalize on his opportunities more frequently before he can be trusted in fantasy lineups. Franklin is a boom or bust FLEX option in a plus matchup against the New York Jets in Week 6.