Who Should I Start? Treylon Burks or Quentin Johnston

Wednesday, December 24, 10:12 AM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks led the team in targets in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, catching two of five targets for 30 yards. The 2022 first-round pick saw his snaps decrease with the return of Noah Brown in Week 14, but with Brown now on Injured Reserve due to a rib injury, Burks played the most he has all season in Week 16. Burks tied Terry McLaurin for the highest snap share (84.3%) on the team and should continue to see a healthy number of routes on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys' 32nd-ranked pass defense. However, the favorable matchup could be offset by Washington starting journeyman Josh Johnson at QB this week, with Marcus Mariota's status in doubt due to hand and quadriceps injuries. It's tough to trust Burks as anything more than a deep-league flex option in Week 17.

Friday, December 26, 9:59 AM

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston reminded fantasy managers of his "boom" potential last week, erupting for 104 yards and a touchdown against the league's worst pass defense. However, his historical consistency remains an issue, and the pendulum swings back toward "bust" territory against the Houston Texans. The Texans are a defensive juggernaut, ranking first in EPA/Pass and second in pressure rate. While Johnston has overcome his groin injury, he now faces a secondary that excels at erasing deep threats and minimizing yards after the catch. In a game where Justin Herbert will likely be under constant duress, Johnston's high-variance profile makes him an extremely dangerous start in championship week. Unless you are chasing a miracle, the risk outweighs the reward. He is a touchdown-reliant, low-end WR4.