Who Should I Start? Tyler Lockett or Brandon Aiyuk

Saturday, October 4, 1:04 AM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Lockett has seen an appealing snap and target share over the last few weeks, and he could be headed for an expanded role in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals. Lockett is currently preparing for the matchup as the Titans' No. 3 receiver, as he has been doing ever since the season opener, but he could jump to second on the depth chart if Calvin Ridley (knee, elbow), who is questionable, doesn't suit up. Ridley has been underwhelming this year but would still vacate around 50 snaps, many of which would likely go to Lockett. There's a direct relationship between the two players' snap shares; every time Ridley has played at least 85 percent of the snaps, Lockett plays below 60 percent. Last week, when Ridley played just 54 percent, Lockett saw his snap share jump to 72 percent. Having someone like Lockett on the field is a good idea for the Titans, who have youth elsewhere in Cameron Ward, Elic Ayomanor, and Chig Okonkwo. A reliable veteran presence with sure hands in the short and medium passing games, Lockett has 12 targets but just six catches through his first four games in Tennessee. A Ridley absence could push Lockett closer to six or seven targets with at least a few receptions, therefore giving him some WR3/flex appeal in the deepest leagues. On the other hand, if Ridley plays, Lockett would probably see around just 50 percent of the snaps, which isn't enough to get him on the fantasy radar.

Friday, October 3, 9:46 AM

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday Night Football that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), coming off a significant knee injury, is "still weeks away" from returning. Aiyuk was placed on the PUP list to start the season, which required him to miss at least the first four games of the year. It appears he will miss more time, with an uncertain timetable for his return. Fantasy managers who have the room to continue to hold him on their IR should, but with the number of injuries that have transpired over the last two weeks, fantasy managers who need to make room on their team for players closer to returning might want to consider that, as Aiyuk is looking like he won't return anytime in the next few weeks.