Who Should I Start? Troy Franklin or Malik Washington

Friday, January 16, 11:04 PM

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin took a pretty big leap forward in his second NFL season in 2025, catching 65 passes on 104 targets for 709 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games after posting a 28-263-2 line in 16 games as a rookie in 2024. Franklin was the team's second leading receiver this year behind Courtland Sutton, and his six TDs also ranked second. The 22-year-old was tied for 46th among all WRs at 8.3 half-PPR fantasy points per game, though, and he wasn't as productive late in the year when rookie Pat Bryant began to see a bigger role next to him in the passing game. In the last two regular-season games, Franklin caught only four passes for 17 yards, although the Broncos' offense didn't have to do much to handle KC and L.A. with most of their starters resting. Against the Bills in the Divisional Round, a defense that allowed the seventh-fewest half-PPR points per game to receivers, Franklin will be a low-cost, low-end fantasy WR in playoff formats.

Sunday, January 4, 5:39 PM

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington (thumb) exited during the second quarter of Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New England Patriots. He appeared to suffer the injury on a punt return and is officially listed as questionable. At the time of his departure, he had caught one pass for a two-yard touchdown, and he also had two punt return yards. Washington entered this week as Miami's No. 1 receiver with Jaylen Waddle (ribs) inactive, Tyreek Hill (knee) on injured reserve, and Darren Waller (groin) on injured reserve. Now, with Washington sidelined, Miami will turn to Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Theo Wease Jr. as its top wide receivers.