Who Should I Start? Tyler Lockett or Adam Thielen

Sunday, December 28, 7:59 PM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett tallied two receptions and nine yards off his three targets during Sunday's 34-10 loss to the New York Giants in Week 17. The veteran wide receiver's fantasy day was saved by his reception in the back of the end zone on a quarterback Geno Smith (ankle) scramble late in the third quarter. Lockett was competing for targets with the fourth-round rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr., but the Raiders' offense struggled to sustain drives or keep a clean pocket against the Giants' defense. If rookie wide receiver Jack Bech (back), who was a late addition to the Week 17 injury report and was ruled out before kickoff on Sunday, Lockett should resume his part-time WR3 role in Week 18 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs' defense is a bottom-10 matchup for opposing wide receivers, keeping Lockett in deep-league WR4/Flex territory heading into the final game of the 2025 season.

Friday, December 26, 8:58 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen caught all four of his targets for 49 yards last week and is in line for an expanded role against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. While the Steelers may choose to rest some starters if the Green Bay Packers defeat the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Thielen should see the field as a necessary weapon with DK Metcalf beginning a two-game suspension. That said, the Browns have been stout against opposing wideouts all season, and Pittsburgh may not need to lean heavily on the passing game in this matchup. If the Ravens win on Saturday, Thielen could provide sneaky flex value in deeper fantasy formats, but the 35-year-old will be difficult to trust in most leagues.