Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel or Jayden Reed

Wednesday, May 1, 2:04 PM

The San Francisco 49ers were engaged in trade talks involving wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel leading up to the draft, but the team elected not to trade either of their star receivers, with all signs pointing toward both being on the 2024 roster. Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the assumption was that he'd be the odd man out after the team paid Samuel and other star players. Samuel still has two years left on the deal he signed before the 2022 season. San Fran has been to at least the NFC Championship game in four of the last five seasons, and losing Aiyuk or Samuel would almost certainly make the team worse in 2024. The 49ers can afford to keep both this year, but an Aiyuk extension would likely reduce his $14.124 million salary cap number for 2024. Samuel's fantasy value would have likely taken a hit with a move out of the Bay Area.

Sunday, January 21, 9:44 AM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed caught all four of his targets for a gain of 35 yards and took his lone carry for a nine-yard gain during the team's 21-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The rookie went without a catch last week but ended the Divisional Round loss tied for the most receptions on the team. Reed was one of the breakout rookie wide receivers for fantasy managers over the back half of the regular season. While he did not do a ton in the postseason, Reed will enter the 2024 regular season as one of the top Packers skill position players to target in fantasy drafts. Romeo Doubs was the most productive Green Bay receiver during the playoffs, and Christian Watson did little as he made his way back from a hamstring injury. All three of these names will likely land as late-round draft selections, with Reed having the most upside.