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).

Monday, October 6, 10:07 PM

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa had one target in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he made it count by turning it into a 12-yard touchdown reception. TeSlaa has made the most of his low-usage role so far this season, as he has three catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns on five targets through the first five games of his career. Perhaps most importantly for his fantasy outlook, Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (neck) left early in Week 5 with a neck injury and did not return. TeSlaa has been firmly behind Raymond in snap share so far this season, so an injury to Raymond could open the door for TeSlaa to take over as Detroit's WR3 alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. It's too soon to count on TeSlaa for fantasy production, even if Raymond does miss time. Still, TeSlaa is a player to monitor in deep leagues, as he's flashed upside and could now be in line for an increased role.