Who Should I Start? Tyler Lockett or Marquise Brown

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.

Wednesday, December 24, 4:30 PM

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown will face the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day in Week 17. Brown caught three passes for 22 yards on three targets in last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans. With Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton placed on IR, Brown's role in the passing attack should increase. The veteran receiver should be more involved, but with Chris Oladokun operating as the Chiefs QB1, Brown's upside could be severely capped. Brown will also have to deal with a Denver Broncos defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Brown is ranked WR79 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a difficult player to start in any league regardless of depth or format.