Who Should I Start? Tyquan Thornton or Arian Smith

Friday, October 24, 3:02 PM

Following a four-week stretch that saw him put up nearly 60 yards per game and three scores, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has fallen off the fantasy radar. He's seen two of his lowest snap counts of the season over the past two weeks, while making only one catch. Rashee Rice, in his first game back from a six-game suspension, was targeted nine times on only 19 pass routes, signaling that he has stepped right back into being the focal point of the team's passing offense, and he'll only continue to see the field more as he plays himself back into shape. What's left of the team's pass work opportunities will be divvied up between Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and emerging rookie Brashard Smith, leaving Thornton on the outside looking in. While his speed will always make him a big-play threat, his occasional spikes will be too rare and difficult to predict to give him any fantasy value moving forward.

Saturday, October 25, 4:22 AM

New York Jets wide receiver Arian Smith should again see a substantial uptick in playing time when his team squares off with the hosting Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8. The rookie played a season-high in snap share (92%) last weekend, with fellow wideout Garrett Wilson (knee) tending to injury. However, he failed to net positive yardage on 1-of-3 receiving. Smith will get another chance to make an impact this Sunday, although it's currently difficult to trust any of the Jets' skill position players with the offense failing to perform. Furthermore, head coach Aaron Glenn's refusal to name a starting quarterback muddies the situation further, adding an extra variable. With Wilson set to miss another game, and Josh Reynolds (hip) questionable with an injury of his own, Smith will have a chance to lead New York's WR corps if both are inactive. Even still, he's nothing more than a long shot with New York's offense looking woefully outmatched.