Who Should I Start? Xavier Smith or Tez Johnson

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, November 10, 10:32 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson hauled in four of five targets for 42 yards and two touchdowns in the team's 28-23 loss to the New England Patriots. Since Mike Evans (collarbone) went down, Johnson has emerged as a key piece of the Buccaneers' passing attack, recording at least 40 yards in every game since the injury, and scoring four touchdowns over his last four contests. The rookie from Oregon is averaging 14.2 fantasy points per game since Week 6, ranking 20th among wide receivers during that stretch. With Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan all sidelined, Johnson should remain a featured target for Baker Mayfield moving forward.