Who Should I Start? Treylon Burks or Ainias Smith

Saturday, December 13, 3:37 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks saw his playing time crater in Week 14's game against the Minnesota Vikings with the return of Noah Brown from Injured Reserve. The former 2022 first-round pick played a season-high 65.9% of the snaps in Week 13 against the Broncos, recording one catch for five yards and a touchdown on four targets. With Brown back in the lineup for the first time since Week 2, Burks only drew one target, and his snap share slid to 34.7% against the Vikings last week, ranking fourth among Washington's receivers. The 25-year-old will likely be limited to a depth role again on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Burks hasn't shown enough in his first games in Washington to be considered as a fantasy option just yet, and that probably won't change before the year is over.

Tuesday, August 19, 9:35 AM

Second-year Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith has enjoyed a healthy training camp, and his coaches have taken notice. Last season, as a fifth-round rookie, he struggled through camp with a stress fracture in his shin that would eventually land him on Injured Reserve for two months. This year, he is healthy and competing for one of the Eagles' last receiver spots on the 53-man roster. He has played in each of the team's first two preseason games, catching a touchdown in both and returning punts and kicks, as his path to the roster may run through special teams. Smith has been competing with fellow second-year wideout Johnny Wilson and undrafted rookie Darius Cooper for one of the team's final roster spots, and on Sunday, the Eagles acquired former second-round pick John Metchie III from the Houston Texans. Whoever can win the camp battle will have little relevance in managed redraft leagues, but could be worth a stash in deep dynasty formats.