Fantasy Football Player Notes
2021 Rest of Season Rankings
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1.
Cooper Kupp
LAR (vs . SF)
Kupp had arguably his worst game of the season in Week 9 and he finished with 13 targets, 11 catches, and 95 yards. He's an obvious hold with a strong case to be the No. 1 valued fantasy player entering the second half.
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2.
Davante Adams
LV (vs . LAC)
There's a feeling of uncertainty surrounding the Packers right now, for obvious reasons, and Jordan Love's spot start wasn't exactly promising. Adams caught just 6-of-14 targets for 42 yards in Sunday's Week 9 loss to the Chiefs. However, he commanded a dominant 41.2% target share and hasn't popped up for a monster game in about a month. Assuming Aaron Rodgers is back in a week or two, Adams' ceiling is as high as any wideout in the season's second half.
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3.
Tyreek Hill
MIA (vs . NE)
Hill battled a quad injury in Week 6 and his early-week practice reports suggest he'll be doing so again this Sunday against the Titans. In Week 6, his routes were down to 61% but the team compensated by targeting him on 34% of them. This might not be the week for a "ceiling game" from Tyreek, but he remains a sure-fire, top-five fantasy wideout.
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4.
Deebo Samuel
SF (at LAR)
The 25-year-old had another monstrous game in Week 4, hauling in 8-of-12 targets for 156 yards and two touchdowns. He's one of just two wide receivers to have a 25% target share in all four games this season (alongside Cooper Kupp). That consistency is fantastic and Brandon Aiyuk saw just three targets against Seattle. Samuel is a WR1 moving forward. The hot start appears to be legit.
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5.
Stefon Diggs
BUF (vs . NYJ)
The massive opportunity finally arrived for Diggs, whose target share checked in at 46% in Week 10. The star wideout certainly took advantage of the exploitable Jets secondary, but it's the usage that was most encouraging. The Bills' offense got back on track in this one, and we can confidently view him as a high-end WR1 once again.
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6.
Ja'Marr Chase
CIN (at CLE)
Chase's mind-meld with college teammate Joe Burrow led to a season-high 10 targets, 159 yards, and a touchdown in Week 5 against the Packers. From Weeks 2-5 he ranks second in the NFL in YPRR, trailing on Davante Adams (2.98 compared to 3.1, per PFF). The rookie is once again moving up the WR2 ranks.
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7.
Justin Jefferson
MIN (vs . CHI)
As of this writing we've been told that Adam Thielen is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. It's unclear how much time he will miss just yet, but any amount of absence could lead to an eruption for Jefferson's usage. The sophomore wideout has a chance to go nuclear in the fantasy playoffs if Thielen misses considerable time.
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8.
Tee Higgins
CIN (at CLE)
Higgins has gone nuclear the past three weeks, totaling at least 114 yards in each contest. Months of Ja'Marr Chase breaking explosive plays has finally caused opposing defenses to devote more attention to him, which has opened the door for this end-of-season Higgins revival. He can be confidently fired up as a WR2 the rest of the way.
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9.
CeeDee Lamb
DAL (at PHI)
Nobody is suggesting to sit Lamb in Week 17 against Arizona, but his fantasy campaign has been a disappointment. The sophomore receiver is undoubtedly talented, but Dallas' run-first philosophy combined with a plethora of pass catchers has given him a dreadful floor. Lamb has been held under 25 receiving yards just three time this season, which is the same number of times he has topped 100 yards. The upside is still there, of course, but he has played more like a volatile WR2 throughout 2021.
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10.
Diontae Johnson
PIT (at BAL)
Johnson has hit at least a 32% target share in four of five healthy games entering Week 7. He's a locked-in, top-18 fantasy wideout moving forward.
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11.
A.J. Brown
PHI (vs . DAL)
2021 just hasn't been Brown's year. There have been some blowup games, but overall the season-long results have been disappointing when factoring in preseason expectations. He dealt with hand and chest injuries in Week 11's loss to the Texans. Up next is a date with a white-hot Patriots defense that is famous for taking away opposing teams' top weapon. AJB's short-term outlook is murky.
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12.
Keenan Allen
LAC (at LV)
Allen has slowed down from Weeks 4-6, but he still carries WR1 upside playing in arguably the best offense of his career. The target share (24%) and ADOT (8.7) should lead to some monster PPR performances moving forward.
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13.
Jaylen Waddle
MIA (vs . NE)
Miami's offense isn't one to get too worked up about, but Waddle has now seen double digit targets in three of his past four games. The rookie continues to improve as the year goes on and DeVante Parker just went on IR. Waddle should continue seeing strong volume for the time being.
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14.
Tyler Lockett
SEA (at ARI)
It doesn't quite make sense, but Lockett is severely out-producing DK Metcalf as of late. In five of Lockett's past six games he has either scored a touchdown or posted 96+ receiving yards. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks' offense has been struggling, but Lockett continues to produce. He has been extremely volatile in the past, but it will be impossible to sit him during the fantasy playoffs barring injury.
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15.
Michael Pittman Jr.
IND (at JAC)
Pittman caught just 2-of-5 targets for 23 yards in Week 11. However, he simply wasn't needed as the Colts rode Jonathan Taylor to an upset victory over the Bills. Pittman will be leaned on more heavily when Indy is forced to throw more. He has fully broken out in his sophomore campaign and qualifies as a "buy low" entering Week 12.
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17.
DK Metcalf
SEA (at ARI)
Frustratingly, Metcalf has topped 26 receiving yards just once over his past four games. It came in Week 13 when he hauled in five passes for 60 scoreless yards. This was considered a borderline spike game for the third-year receiver. That's where we're at with Metcalf and the Seattle offense these days. His talent isn't in question, but the scheme/environment are killing his box score production. Metcalf is a bet-on-talent WR2 down the stretch. That might be painting a rosy picture as well.
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18.
Hunter Renfrow
LV (vs . LAC)
We should acknowledge that Renfrow's recent box score results are inflated by the absence of Darren Waller, but the former Clemson receiver has now totaled 100 yards and/or scored in five of his past six games. He has become a legitimate WR2 in full-PPR formats. Derek Carr remains locked onto the middle of the field, which is where Renfrow does his best work.
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19.
Brandin Cooks
HOU (vs . TEN)
A 33% target share with a 13.3 ADOT through five weeks is elite usage, but the offense he plays in is dreadful. Cooks should be considered a volatile WR3 moving forward.
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20.
Amon-Ra St. Brown
DET (vs . GB)
The rookie saw double digit targets for the fourth straight game in Week 16 and caught 8+ for the fourth consecutive contest as well. In total, St. Brown finished with nine receptions, 91 yards, and a touchdown. He has been incredibly impressive down the stretch of his rookie campaign, and he has done it playing both inside and outside. St. Brown should be viewed as a WR2 in Week 17 versus Seattle.
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21.
Marquise Brown
ARI (vs . SEA)
The midseason conversation surrounding Brown was about whether or not he had become a set-and-forget WR1. Unfortunately, he has since been held to 55 yards or less in four straight games. "Hollywood" has still seen hefty target totals during this time, but Baltimore's passing offense has been out of sorts since defenses started blitzing Lamar Jackson more. Now Jackson could be hurt. Brown is suddenly a volatile WR2/3 for the fantasy playoffs.
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22.
DJ Moore
CAR (at TB)
The 24-year-old has done all he can to overcome a disastrous situation, but the limitations of the Panthers' offense has killed his upside. Moore has just one touchdown since Week 4. Neither Cam Newton nor Sam Darnold look like the answer for a brutal Week 17 matchup against the Saints.
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23.
Amari Cooper
CLE (vs . CIN)
Most fantasy managers are likely still starting Cooper in Week 16 (if you fortunate enough to advance despite his eight-yard afternoon). However, he has just 14 targets over his past three games. The Cowboys want to run the ball and have a plethora of mouths to feed among their pass catchers. Frustratingly, the offense hasn't even been that efficient lately. Cooper is more of a WR3 moving forward.
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24.
DeVonta Smith
PHI (vs . DAL)
The story remains the same for Smith, who has proven to be a volatile fantasy option in the Eagles' shaky passing offense. At this point fantasy managers should be buying Smith when he has a down game and selling him when he gets hot. The hot-and-cold nature of Jalen Hurts' quarterbacking abilities will make Smith's big games tough to predict. Overall, he should be viewed as a high-end WR3. The Jets are a nice bounce back spot for Week 13.
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25.
Mike Williams
LAC (at LV)
Williams' ADOT has spiked in Weeks 4-5. Unlike in Week 4, however, he and Justin Herbert connected on big plays this past Sunday. Monitor his knee injury entering Week 6, but Williams and teammate Keenan Allen are operating as co-WR1s right now. His valuation in relation to Allen is irrelevant if LA keeps throwing as much as they have been so far. They're both great!
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26.
Chase Claypool
PIT (at BAL)
There are some advanced metrics that pin Claypool as a talented player, but his skill set just doesn't align with the 2021 version of Ben Roethlisberger. Pittsburgh's offense has more or less collapsed down the stretch, which has capped Claypool's ceiling and floor. He has just one touchdown on the season and draws the Browns in the fantasy finals.
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27.
Odell Beckham Jr.
FA (BYE)
It was reported on Sunday morning that Matthew Stafford is dealing with nagging injuries, which have likely played a part in the Rams' offensive struggles as of late. OBJ is in line for consistent targets with Robert Woods done for the year, and he saw 10 targets in Week 12 against the Packers. The highlight was a 54-yard touchdown, but Beckham wasn't efficient otherwise. "Selling" him is a bet against his talent at this point in his career. His name value is likely worth more than what his production will be rest-of-season.
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28.
Terry McLaurin
WAS (at NYG)
Entering Week 6, McLaurin continues to overcome below-average quarterback play to post high-end WR2 numbers. He's sporting a 31% target share with a 12.4 ADOT through five games. Keep starting him with confidence.
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29.
Van Jefferson
LAR (vs . SF)
Through four games Jefferson's target share sits at 13.4%, which isn't that much lower than Robert Woods' 18.7% mark. Jefferson is also out-producing Woods in PPR leagues entering Week 5, which isn't necessarily predictive, but it's noteworthy. The Rams' offense is one to invest in right now. Jefferson is an injury away from WR2 upside.
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30.
Brandon Aiyuk
SF (at LAR)
It might be tempting to sell high on Aiyuk after such an up-and-down fantasy campaign, but the sophomore wideout has now topped 85 receiving yards in 3-of-4 games. The run-heavy nature of San Francisco's offense will make him a bit of a volatile fantasy player, but Aiyuk's talent is winning in recent games. He should be viewed as a WR2 as San Francisco faces a favorable schedule throughout the fantasy playoffs.
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31.
Darnell Mooney
CHI (at MIN)
Mooney's utilization is surprisingly fantastic through six games - he has seen 27% of Chicago's targets while registering a 10.3 ADOT. Unfortunately, the Bears are a low-volume, inefficient unit. A Week 7 matchup against the Bucs is a strong one, but Mooney can't be considered anything more than a desperation FLEX given his surrounding environment.
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32.
Christian Kirk
JAC (vs . IND)
I'm labeling Kirk as a "sell" just as a warning before fantasy managers spend too much FAAB on him. Yes, the two TDs were nice, but Kirk played on just 54% of the snaps in Week 1. This doesn't mean he won't have a role this season, and perhaps additional fantasy-relevant weeks, but expectations should be kept in check.
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33.
Jerry Jeudy
DEN (vs . KC)
The 22-year-old wideout hasn't erupted since returning from his ankle injury, but the underlying numbers are extremely encouraging. Entering Week 10, Jeudy has been targeted on 25% of his pass routes this season. For comparison, Courtland Sutton has been targeted on 19.8% of his pass routes, and that number has fallen since Jeudy's return. The second-year wideout looks poised for a strong finish to the 2021 campaign. Go get him.
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34.
K.J. Osborn
MIN (vs . CHI)
Osborn's number of routes run will likely fluctuate week to week depending on game script, but he's suddenly locked in as Minnesota's No. 3 wide receiver. Note that the Vikings are using far less 12 personnel sans Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr.
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35.
DeVante Parker
NE (at MIA)
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36.
Russell Gage
TB (vs . CAR)
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37.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
KC (at DEN)
"MVS" registered an eye-popping 22% target share in Week 1 against the Saints. That alone makes him worth adding as a waiver pickup in deeper leagues.
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38.
Jakobi Meyers
NE (at MIA)
Through four weeks, Meyers is seeing 26% of New England's targets while sporting a 8.8 ADOT. He's running a route on 95% of the team's dropbacks and is a safe, albeit low-end, WR3 in PPR leagues entering Week 5.
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39.
Gabriel Davis
BUF (vs . NYJ)
The sophomore wideout was a popular waiver wire add following Emmanuel Sanders' Week 14 injury, and he'll be an even more popular name following a two-touchdown game in Week 15. Davis wound up hauling in 5-of-7 targets for 85 yards and the aforementioned two scores on Sunday against Carolina. The 22-year-old entered the game ranking second on Buffalo in yards per route run. He also has four TDs in his past three games. Davis' fantasy value is theoretically tied to Sanders' health moving moving forward, but there's also a chance that the Bills give him more run after this performance. Davis is a priority Week 16 add.
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40.
Courtland Sutton
DEN (vs . KC)
Sutton has now been limited to two receptions or fewer in seven straight contests. Fantasy managers who are participating in the playoffs have likely stopped starting him already, but this is your sign that it's okay to drop him. The return of Jerry Jeudy combined with a conservative Denver passing offense has completely derailed Sutton's early-season breakout.
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41.
Kendrick Bourne
NE (at MIA)
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42.
Jarvis Landry
NO (at ATL)
Landry isn't an exciting player to write about, but in a post-OBJ world his role on the Browns certainly has value. The former Dolphin has recorded a 25% target share in all three of his games since returning from injury, but his Week 9 box score was a dud. Don't expect many ceiling games, but he profiles as a strong floor play in PPR leagues in the second half.
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43.
Tyler Boyd
CIN (at CLE)
In five games with Tee Higgins, Boyd has seen a combined 28 targets. Ja'Marr Chase has seen 37 and Higgins has seen 53. Boyd is the odd man out when all three receivers are healthy. He isn't a difference-maker in fantasy football.
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44.
A.J. Green
ARI (vs . SEA)
The 33-year-old ranks second on the Cardinals in routes and targets, which gives him weekly FLEX viability as we approach a plethora of bye weeks. There likely isn't a ton of upside here, and Arizona has several mouths to feed, but Green is beating his draft day ADP so far.
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45.
Allen Lazard
GB (at DET)
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46.
Marvin Jones Jr.
JAC (vs . IND)
Jones continues to perform as an admirable WR3 for fantasy purposes through three games. He's receiving 25% of Jacksonville's targets with a productive 12.8 ADOT. If Trevor Lawrence's efficiency improves, then Jones could ascend into weekly WR2 territory.
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47.
Allen Robinson II
LAR (vs . SF)
Robinson's target share and ADOT continue to give him the utilization of a WR1 in fantasy, but this offense just can't support him as a strong fantasy asset. Following Sunday's Week 6 loss to Green Bay, Robinson has been held under 10 PPR points in five of six games this season. His season-high is just 10.4 points. Consider him more of a low-end WR2 moving forward.
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48.
Rashod Bateman
BAL (vs . PIT)
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49.
Julio Jones
FA (BYE)
Things reached an all-time low for the 2011 first-round pick this past Thursday. Jones saw just one target and caught a seven-yard pass in Week 16. He hasn't found the end zone this season and has topped 60 receiving yards just once. The 32-year-old doesn't even belong on rosters during championship week.
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50.
Tim Patrick
DEN (vs . KC)
Patrick finished second in routes (81%) and tied for first in target share (22%) among Denver pass catchers in Week 3. KJ Hamler (ACL) is out for the season, which makes Patrick a low-end FLEX option until Jerry Jeudy (ankle) returns.
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51.
Donovan Peoples-Jones
CLE (vs . CIN)
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52.
Kadarius Toney
NYG (vs . WAS)
Toney looked like a special talent earlier this season. Injuries/COVID situations combined with the Giants' lack of offensive firepower has rendered his rookie campaign as sort of an afterthought. However, Sterling Shepard tore his Achilles in Week 15, which should lead to more work for Toney down the stretch. Note that he's still on the reserve/COVID-19 list and isn't a sure bet to produce when active. The rookie profiles as a desperation FLEX, but one with considerable upside.
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53.
Jamison Crowder
BUF (vs . NYJ)
New York's veteran slot receiver saw just one target in a plus Week 12 matchup against the Texans. He returned to form on Sunday against the Eagles, hauling in 4-of-6 targets for 62 yards. Aside from the disaster against Houston, Crowder has seen at least five targets in every other game he has played this year. There isn't a lot of upside to be had for a player with a low ADOT in a bad offense, but those in deep leagues with full-PPR scoring could do worse if seeking a depth piece.
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54.
Cole Beasley
FA (BYE)
Beasley has become game-script dependent in 2021. Through five games the Bills haven't been trailing enough for them to fully utilize use of their 11 personnel package, which means Beasley just hasn't been on the field enough to warrant weekly fantasy consideration.
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55.
Mike Evans
TB (vs . CAR)
As expected, Saints corner Marshon Lattimore gave Evans some fits in Week 8. Nonetheless, 'Big Mike' just missed hauling in a long touchdown reception. The Bucs have a bye this week before drawing the burnable Washington secondary in Week 10. Keep Evans rostered for that pristine matchup.
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56.
Isaiah McKenzie
BUF (vs . NYJ)
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57.
Josh Reynolds
DET (vs . GB)
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58.
Robbie Anderson
CAR (at TB)
Anderson has seen 20 targets over his past two games but has turned them into just 25 receiving yards. It's an alarming degree of inefficiency, but history suggests that things will soon turn around if the volume holds strong. He isn't a player to get overly excited about, but he also shouldn't be on waivers in deeper formats.
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59.
Emmanuel Sanders
BUF (vs . NYJ)
Sanders didn't log a single reception in Week 8 against Miami, but he remains an integral part of one of the pass-happiest teams in the NFL. Sunday's letdown was due to the Dolphins basically giving Josh Allen any underneath routes he wanted, which led to a heavy dose of Cole Beasley and Zack Moss on check downs. Sanders will likely rebound in Week 9 against the lowly Jaguars.
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60.
Marquez Callaway
NO (at ATL)
Through two games, Callaway has amassed just 22 receiving yards on three catches. The preseason shine is fading fast, but maybe that shouldn't come as a surprise since Callaway is a former undrafted free agent surrounded by questionable offensive skill players. Hold him if you have the roster spot, but otherwise we can move on.
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61.
Kenny Golladay
NYG (vs . WAS)
Through two games, Golladay has a 21% target share and a 33% share of the Giants' air yards. Profile wise, he's a buy low candidate entering Week 3.
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62.
Joshua Palmer
LAC (at LV)
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63.
Rondale Moore
ARI (vs . SEA)
Through five weeks it doesn't seem as if the Cardinals want to utilize Moore as a full-time player. However, he's simply electric with the ball in his hands; and as we learned on Sunday, at hauling in toe-tapping sideline catches. The rookie totaled 97 combined rushing and receiving yards in Week 5. The usage might be volatile for now, but as a first year player that will hopefully change as the season moves along. Investing in Moore now is simply a bet on talent.
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64.
Nelson Agholor
NE (at MIA)
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65.
Laquon Treadwell
JAC (vs . IND)
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66.
Elijah Moore
NYJ (at BUF)
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67.
Jalen Guyton
LAC (at LV)
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68.
T.Y. Hilton
FA (BYE)
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69.
Tre'Quan Smith
NO (at ATL)
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70.
Bryan Edwards
ATL (vs . NO)
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71.
Deonte Harty
NO (at ATL)
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72.
William Fuller V
FA (BYE)
The Dolphins were likely easing him in after missing the first two games of the season, but Fuller ran a route on just 69% of Miami's dropbacks in Week 3. He also had a 20.0 ADOT, so it's clear the team is using him as a situational deep threat. Consider him a volatile fantasy option moving forward.
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73.
Zay Jones
JAC (vs . IND)
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74.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
TEN (at HOU)
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75.
Mecole Hardman
KC (at DEN)
It seems as if Hardman had an opportunity to step up as the No. 3 option in this passing game, but it didn't happen. His number of routes run has decreased in each game entering Week 4. Additionally, the organization is bringing in Josh Gordon. Hardman is a boom-bust WR5 moving forward.
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76.
Laviska Shenault Jr.
JAC (vs . IND)
The 23-year-old saw just four targets with the Jaguars coming out of their bye in Week 8 against the Seahawks. Since D.J. Chark (ankle) went down for the season, Shenault ranks fourth on the team in target share at 13.5%. The sophomore breakout doesn't appear to be happening for him.
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77.
Braxton Berrios
NYJ (at BUF)
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78.
Byron Pringle
CHI (at MIN)
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79.
Darius Slayton
NYG (vs . WAS)
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80.
Jalen Reagor
PHI (vs . DAL)
Not every rookie WR took the league by storm. Jalen Reagor struggled with injury and his play on the field in year one with the Eagles. A new HC/OC and QB gives him a second chance, but he'll have to make the most of it, or he could find himself in the doghouse quickly. He's an interesting buy low in dynasty right now, but the fact his usage
is unknown in this offense makes him a dicey '21 investment. |
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81.
Quez Watkins
PHI (vs . DAL)
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82.
Zach Pascal
PHI (vs . DAL)
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83.
Jauan Jennings
SF (at LAR)
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84.
Curtis Samuel
WAS (at NYG)
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85.
Nico Collins
HOU (vs . TEN)
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86.
DeSean Jackson
FA (BYE)
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87.
Antoine Wesley
ARI (vs . SEA)
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