Both Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin and Las Vegas Raiders pass catcher Jakobi Meyers are solid fantasy football Flex plays in Week 7, especially considering six different teams are on bye this week.
But, of the two wide receivers, which player is the better start?
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
Terry McLaurin’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
Last week, the Commanders made a conscious effort to get the ball to McLaurin early and often. Unsurprisingly, good things happened.
He finished with six receptions for 81 yards on a season-high 11 targets. Washington’s offense runs through No. 17, and it seems that new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is starting to realize that.
MORE: 2023 WR Fantasy Football Rankings
This Sunday should be another big outing for McLaurin. The New York Giants are allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to receivers this season and just let Stefon Diggs explode for 100 yards on 10 catches. Expect McLaurin to receive a heavy dosage of targets on Sunday.
It’s also worth noting that McLaurin, historically, is a Giants killer. The Commanders star has faced Big Blue seven times in his career and has topped the 70-yard mark in each of those games. In those contests, McLaurin has averaged 7.1 receptions and 92.9 yards and has scored three total touchdowns.
In short, McLaurin has been a low-end fantasy WR1 whenever he plays the Giants. Start McLaurin with confidence this week.
Jakobi Meyers’ Fantasy Outlook This Week
One of the better wide receiver free agent signings this past spring, Meyers has been a featured pass catcher in the Raiders offense this season. In five games, Meyers has totaled 30 receptions for 335 yards and four touchdowns. He’s finished with 15+ PPR fantasy points four separate times this year and is coming off a five-catch, 61-yard, one-touchdown performance against New England.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Meyers remains a good fantasy option this week against the Chicago Bears — a middle-of-the-road defense against fantasy receivers this season. There are a couple of factors, though, that could prevent him from having a big week.
For starters, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is not playing due to an injured back. Brian Hoyer is expected to get the start in replace of the Raiders signal-caller. It would not be surprising to see Las Vegas focus its offensive game plan around star Josh Jacobs, with Chicago allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.
Additionally, Las Vegas’ top wide receiver, Davante Adams, made it clear this week that he wants more targets moving forward. The six-time Pro Bowler has totaled just six catches for 74 scoreless yards over the past two games — far below what he’s capable of. Adams should see a lot of targets this week as the Raiders try to meet his needs.
That could certainly take away from the number of looks Meyers will receive on Sunday.
Which of the WRs Should You Start?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, PFN’s Consensus Rankings say that McLaurin is the player to start. His projected 12.1 points include four receptions for 61 yards and 0.3 touchdowns. McLaurin’s projection slightly outperforms the consensus projection for Jakobi Meyers (11.3 points).
Both players are good starts this week in fantasy football, but my rankings agree with PFN’s that McLaurin is the better start this week. Simply put, McLaurin offers a higher upside and probably a safer floor, too. Trust the Commanders receiver, who has historically torched his opponent this week.