Fantasy Football Player Notes

DeVonta Smith will be back this week (hamstring/toe). I wasn't expecting Smith to make his return this week, but it's a welcome return for an ailing Philly team. Smith didn't practice on Wednesday this week, but he upgraded from a limited session on Thursday to a full practice on Friday. He doesn't carry an injury designation into Week 6. In Weeks 1-3, Smith was the WR13 in fantasy points per game. He had a 29.5% target share with 2.42 YPRR, two red zone targets, five deep targets, and a 39.3% first-read share. This week, he'll face a Carolina secondary that has utilized the eighth-highest rate of single-high (57.7%). In Weeks 1-3, against single-high, Smith had an outstanding 31% TPRR and 3.43 YPRR. If Tanner McKee can get him catchable targets this week, Smith could feast. Since Week 4, Carolina has allowed the third-most yards per target and the fourth-most fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers.

In Weeks 1-3, with DeVonta Smith in the lineup, Dontayvion Wicks was the WR32 in fantasy points per game. In those games, Wicks had a 17% target share with 2.27 YPRR, four red zone targets, four deep targets, and a 23.2% first-read share. This week, he'll face a Carolina secondary that has utilized the eighth-highest rate of single-high (57.7%). In Weeks 1-3, against single-high, Wicks had only a 16% TPRR and 1.35 YPRR, with DeVonta Smith leading the way as Philly's single-high go-to. Wicks might not have a monster stat line this week, but he is still a viable flex against a secondary that, since Week 4, has allowed the third-most yards per target and the fourth-most fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers. Tanner McKee can only support so many weapons as a passer. At best, Wicks is likely the third option in the passing attack behind Smith and Dallas Goedert.

Over the last two weeks, Makai Lemon has had a 17.9% target share, 1.13 YPRR, zero red zone targets, zero deep targets, and a 25% first-read share. He has managed a grand total of 15 PPR points. Lemon has struggled to get on track this season despite the increasing number of opportunities. I don't think this is the week he gets it going. Carolina has limited slot receivers to the fifth-fewest yards per target and the 12th-fewest fantasy points per opportunity.

Over the last two games, Darius Cooper has been a godsend for deep league fantasy managers as the WR13 and WR18 in weekly scoring. He has had a 14.9% target share, 1.70 YPRR, three red zone targets, three deep targets, and a 15.9% first-read share. He could excel again this week. This week, he'll face a Carolina secondary that has utilized the eighth-highest rate of single-high (57.7%). Since Week 4, against single-high, Cooper has had a 20% target-per-route run rate and 3.13 YPRR. Cooper should be heavily involved in the game plan for Philly this week. Since Week 4, Carolina has allowed the third-most yards per target and the fourth-most fantasy points per opportunity to perimeter wide receivers. Tanner McKee adds another layer of volatility to his projection, but the upside is still there this week with consideration of the matchup.