On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons take on the New Orleans Saints, with the winner potentially taking over the first place in the NFC South. Both teams have had some ups and downs this season, and no WR has been a guaranteed start with the issues at QB for each team. Which WR should you lean toward in fantasy football in this battle, Drake London or Rashid Shaheed?
Should You Start Drake London or Rashid Shaheed for Fantasy Football in Week 12?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say managers should start London. He is projected to have 10.8 fantasy points on 4.3 receptions and 50.9 receiving yards. Shaheed is projected for 9.6 fantasy points on 2.8 receptions and 47 receiving yards.
I agree with the Optimizer and am starting London over Shaheed this week.
Fantasy Outlook for London This Week
When head coach Arthur Smith announced that Desmond Ridder would be the QB for Atlanta, London’s managers rolled their eyes. Ridder’s inability to get the ball downfield to his best pass catchers has resulted in London being the WR47 on the season. Yet, we have seen signs of brilliance, and we know the talent is there — London had a WR7 finish in Week 6 against Washington.
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Even with the subpar QB play, you know that London is, or should be, the No. 1 read when looking to pass. He averages 23% of the team’s total targets, and if Ridder throws it, it usually seems to go London’s way. The Saints’ defense is good, but they do give up more points to the WRs than the RBs. If Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier have problems moving the ball, I expect London to step up.
London is WR34 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings this week.
Fantasy Outlook for Shaheed This Week
There was some question on who would be under center for the Saints this week, but Derek Carr has now passed through concussion protocol and looks to get the start. If Carr had been out, and it had been Jameis Winston in at QB, I would have started Shaheed over London. Winston, we know, loves to chuck it, and that is how Shaheed likes to get his fantasy points.
However, Carr is starting, and with that, I expect the traditional multitude of short dump-offs to Alvin Kamara. The Falcons are solid against RBs, but they do allow targets to them. They have allowed 42 targets to opposing RBs so far this season.
Sure, Michael Thomas is out, so I do expect an uptick in targets for Shaheed, and it is tough to bench a guy who could break a 70-yard catch and run for a TD. He has a great ceiling, but I prefer the floor of London in this start/sit decision.
Shaheed is WR36 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings this week.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
