Who Should I Start? Tyler Lockett or Marvin Mims Jr.

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.

Saturday, October 4, 9:02 AM

After dealing with hip and ankle injuries throughout practice this week, Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (hip, ankle) has been cleared and doesn't carry an injury designation against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Mims will look to stay hot coming off a six-catch outing for 69 yards with a 16-yard rush attempt for a touchdown on top of that. While the Eagles' 15th-ranked pass defense might be forced to focus more on Courtland Sutton, Mims will have a chance to flash while he takes the field for what seems to be a consistent trend of 40-50% of the offensive snaps. Although incredibly efficient with his offensive snaps, Mims can't yet be trusted as more than a boom/ bust flex option going into Week 5.