Who Should I Start? Tyler Lockett or Darnell Mooney

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, 5:27 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney recorded just two catches for 24 yards in Week 16, continuing a trend of disappointing performances that has persisted throughout the season. The 28-year-old has caught two or fewer passes in eight of the 13 games he's played this season, and has struggled to gain targets behind Drake London (knee), Kyle Pitts Sr. (knee), and Bijan Robinson. London heads into Week 17's home matchup against the Rams with a questionable designation, however, it would likely be more of a benefit to Kyle Pitts Sr. and David Sills V's target total if Atlanta's No. 1 receiver were to miss the game, not Mooney's. The veteran wideout is a risky play even in what appears to be a good matchup on paper, with Los Angeles allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season and 277.7 yards passing over the last three weeks (second most in the NFL).