Who Should I Start? Xavier Gipson or Xavier Restrepo

Tuesday, August 26, 8:55 PM

New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson (shoulder) is expected to make the team's initial 53-man roster, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Gipson missed New York's final preseason game with a shoulder injury and is questionable for Week 1. The 24-year-old's primary utility through his first two NFL seasons has been on special teams, as he has 27 career catches in 34 games played. New York is looking for wide receivers to step up behind top wideouts Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds, so Gipson could theoretically earn some playing time in the slot once he's able to get back on the field. Still, he should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

Monday, September 1, 11:30 PM

Tennessee Titans practice squad wide receiver Xavier Restrepo remains an intriguing stash in deeper dynasty leagues. Although Restrepo didn't make the Titans' 53-man roster, there are still reasons to be optimistic about his future in Tennessee. First of all, he was a priority target for the Titans as they filled out their practice squad, which means that the front office can still envision him making an impact even though he wasn't selected for the initial roster. Additionally, he has a strong rapport with quarterback Cam Ward, as they were teammates in college. Finally, Tennessee's wide receiver depth is incredibly thin, which means there may be opportunities for non-roster players to step up. Tyler Lockett is likely headed for retirement within the next couple of years, neither Bryce Oliver nor Van Jefferson is a major offensive threat, and rookies Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor both have lower draft capital attached to them after being Day 3 picks. Any Titan receiver not named Calvin Ridley could be replaceable, so Restrepo will have chances to leapfrog other players on the depth chart and earn an elevation to the active roster. Of course, once he gets there, he'll still have to produce. However, at the minimum, there's enough to like about his landing spot to justify stashing him in dynasty leagues. The worst-case scenario is that you cut him mid-season, and that's a risk every fantasy manager can afford to take.