Who Should I Start? Treylon Burks or Ainias Smith

Saturday, December 6, 9:51 AM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks hauled in one of the highlight catches of the season during Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. Burks finished with one catch for five yards and a touchdown, attracting some fantasy football interest after making such a sensational play. The former 2022 first-round pick missed Washington's Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins due to a finger injury, but he has carved out a role with the team. He has five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown on eight targets while playing 54.1% of the snaps in three games. Washington's offense is getting healthier by the week, with Terry McLaurin returning last week against Denver, and now quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) and receiver Noah Brown (groin) are both set to return in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings. It will be interesting to see what role Burks plays with Brown back in the fold. While Burks has intriguing upside in deeper leagues, he can safely be left on the waiver wire in most re-draft leagues for Week 14.

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.