Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Samaje Perine

Sunday, December 7, 12:53 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen are active for Sunday's Week 14 contest against the Baltimore Ravens. Both players are making their team debuts. Valdes-Scantling was signed from the Steelers' practice squad earlier this week after previously playing for the Buffalo Bills. In five games with Buffalo, he caught four of his eight targets for 40 yards. Meanwhile, Thielen was claimed off waivers after he and the Minnesota Vikings mutually agreed to part ways. The 35-year-old had caught just eight passes through 11 games. He is one year removed from a solid 2024 campaign with the Carolina Panthers in which he caught 48 passes for 615 yards and five touchdowns. Neither player is much of a hot commodity in fantasy football, but they both have the potential to carve out significant roles. After all, the Steelers have been underwhelmed by the wide receiver position across the entire depth chart, including receivers DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III, and could be looking for meaningful contributions from new faces.

Tuesday, December 9, 11:13 AM

Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has had a meaningful role in the offense over the past two weeks, playing 38.5% of the snaps while handling 20 carries for 70 yards with three receptions (three targets) for 20 yards. However, he's been firmly behind starter Chase Brown, who has played 62.9% of the snaps with 27 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 catches for 47 yards and another touchdown on 11 targets. Perine is a trusted veteran in pass protection and has familiarity with the Bengals offense, so he should maintain a healthy role behind Brown. His usage would tick up if Brown were to miss time, but his current value is just limited to deeper formats as a handcuff.