Who Should I Start? Tyler Lockett or Darius Slayton

Saturday, December 27, 9:26 AM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (wrist) was a full participant in every practice this week and does not carry an injury designation heading into his Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants. After seeing a season-high 76% snap share in Week 15, the veteran pass catcher only played 26% of snaps and ran just 31% of the Raiders' routes in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. This is the first time Lockett saw less than 30% of the team's snaps since Week 7 and the third time all season. With tight end Brock Bowers (knee) going on IR before Week 17, quarterback Geno Smith almost certainly will have to redistribute these targets, benefitting his other pass catchers. Wide receiver Tre Tucker is the most likely beneficiary of this redistribution, but with rookie receiver Jack Bech (back) at risk of missing Week 17 due to a late-week injury, Lockett could easily slide into the WR2 role. Lockett gets a slight bump due to the very favorable matchup against the Giants' paltry pass defense in Week 17 and injuries to his fellow pass catchers, but remains a low-end WR4/Flex in deep leagues.

Saturday, December 27, 12:09 PM

Across 13 games this season, New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton has recorded 31 receptions for 468 yards and a touchdown on 51 targets. Slayton is coming off one of his worst games of 2025 in Week 16, hauling in just one catch for eight yards on two targets against the Minnesota Vikings. However, the 28-year-old is now facing a far easier matchup in Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Entering the week, Las Vegas ranks 18th in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.1). The Raiders have also ruled out star edge rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) with a knee injury, which should make life significantly easier on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart. Before his Week 16 dud, Slayton had recorded at least 9.3 PPR fantasy points in four out of his last five games. He profiles as a low-end deep-league flex option for fantasy managers in Week 17.