Who Should I Start? Xavier Smith or Isaac TeSlaa

Saturday, August 16, 11:52 PM

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith caught all four of his targets for 48 receiving yards during Saturday's preseason victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He also rushed for five yards. Smith has been quite productive this summer. He paced the team with 55 receiving yards last week, and he now has a total of eight touches and 108 scrimmage yards through two preseason contests. NFL opportunities have been few and far between for the 27-year-old Florida A&M product, but he did total six receiving yards, 36 rushing yards, and a pair of first downs in 2024. Los Angeles' first four wide receiver spots are essentially locked up, which means they only have two or three spots to divide over seven remaining receivers (Smith, Tru Edwards, Mario Williams, Konata Mumpfield, Drake Stoops, Britain Covey, and Brennan Presley).

Saturday, October 18, 11:18 PM

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa played a season-high 46% of his team's offensive snaps in Week 6 against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the 23-year-old failed to earn a target, marking the third time in his last four games that TeSlaa has not recorded a reception. TeSlaa has flashed a high upside at certain points this season, as two of his three catches have gone for touchdowns. Still, he's impossible for fantasy managers to trust as a starter, even heading into a favorable Week 7 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay currently ranks 23rd in the NFL in passing yards allowed (1,520), and Lions quarterback Jared Goff attempted 55 passes in his last matchup against the Buccaneers in Week 2 of the 2024 season. TeSlaa could avoid being blanked for a second straight game should the Lions be forced into a pass-heavy game script in Week 7, but he should remain out of the starting lineups of fantasy managers.