Chasing the Targets: Week 11

My fiancée and I just got into “The Good Place”. It’s a funny show that I feel like you don’t hear much about. As you’ve gathered by now, I like things that tend to be underrated. With that said, let me highlight some players that can help you get into a good place with your fantasy teams.

Dontrelle Inman, WR CHI

Age: 28

Targets: 8

Target change from the previous week: N/A

Snap Share: 95%

Snap Share change from the previous week: N/A

You may not have known, but Inman hasn’t seen game action since week five. He was on a very crowded Chargers team. Thankfully for him, he was traded to the very talent-departed Bears.

It may be just a coincidence, but the Bears rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky had his best game of the season with Inman on the field. It’s almost like if you provide your quarterbacks with decent wide receivers to target, they have success. What a novel concept!

Don’t forget Inman had over 800 yards and four touchdowns last season when the Chargers found their depth chart obliterated. It also shouldn’t be lost on anybody that Inman tied Kendall Wright for the team led in targets in his first game for the Bears. It’s entirely possible the Bears start passing more as John Fox attempts desperately to keep his job. Keep an eye on this situation.

Verdict: Buy for a 2018 third on contending teams especially in Superflex formats

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Chris Godwin, WR TB

Age: 21

Targets: 10

Target change from the previous week: +9

Snap Share: 97.2%

Snap Share change from the previous week: +66.7

Raise your hand if you saw increased playing time coming this week for Chris Godwin. Oh, you all raised your hands? Yeah. It wasn’t hard to predict increased playing time for the third round pick out of Penn State with Mike Evans suspended this week.

This was the first time Godwin has been targeted more than three times all season, and he managed to do pretty well with it. Yes, he only caught five of his ten targets, but he turned that into 68 yards. You also have to remember he was catching passes from Ryan Fitzpatrick and not Jameis Winston.

I really like Godwin’s talent, but I believe this will be his best game of the season unless there is another suspension or injury. I know it’s not what his owners want to hear, but you’ll likely need to wait for DeSean Jackson to be gone to truly witness him come into his own. I’d be patient with him though, and if you’re rebuilding I’d go out and buy him.

Verdict: Buy for a mid 2018 second on non-contending teams

Josh Doctson, WR WAS

Age: 25

Targets: 7

Target change from the previous week: +2

Snap Share: 92.0%

Snap Share change from the previous week: +3.1%

Good news Josh Doctson truthers! He just saw his highest snap share of the season. Sure, he only managed to turn seven targets into 30 yards, but it is still progress. Besides, did you know that in the past five weeks he’s been targeted in the red zone five times? The only time he wasn’t targeted in the red zone during that span was in week nine against the Seahawks.

His 219 yards and three touchdowns on the season may not be impressing those of you that paid a first round draft pick in the 2016 draft to acquire him, but he’s showing signs of progress. It certainly doesn’t hurt his chances to contribute that Terrelle Pryor seems non-existent on the Redskins offense.

According to the most recent DLF ADP from November, Doctson is still going as the 73rd player off the board. I’m not sure I’m as high on him as most if that’s accurate, but if the owner in your league will sell for any 2018 second I’d be willing to take a shot. It’s not often you can get first round talents at a discount.

Verdict: Buy for an early 2018 second

Elijah McGuire, RB NYJ

Age: 23

Targets: 7

Target change from the previous week: +6

Snap Share: 52.5%

Snap Share change from the previous week: +22.3%

Elijah McGuire was able to gain extra playing time because Matt Forte has been dealing with a knee injury. The hope is that Forte will be back following the Jets’ week eleven bye, but for now, the Jets’ backfield will consist of Bilal Powell and McGuire. That’s good news for owners trying to get a good look at McGuire.

For those unfamiliar, McGuire was a sixth round pick out of UL Lafyette. According to Mock Draftable, some of his best comparisons are Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, and former Jet Chris Ivory. Those guys have certainly all had their days of fantasy relevance.

Another point in McGuire’s favor is that Forte can be cut for only $1 million in dead cap money next year. The Jets seem focused on getting younger, and it’s easy to see Forte as a cut or trade candidate. McGuire hasn’t done a ton in his rookie season, but his 259 yards ranks eighth among rookie running backs this season.

If you add in his 100 receiving yards, he’s only one of five rookie running backs to have 250 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving. The others are Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt, Alvin Kamara, and Joe Mixon. He easily has the lowest yards from scrimmage among any of those guys, but still makes him interesting to me.

Verdict: Buy for a late 2018 third

Austin Ekeler, RB LAC

Age: 22

Targets: 5

Target change from the previous week:+4

Snap Share: 33.3 %

Snap Share change from the previous week: +2.9%

I know Melvin Gordon had a bad game this week, but before we get too excited Ekeler still only played 33.3 % of the offensive snaps. It doesn’t seem like a changing of the guard is happening anytime soon. Nor do I think it should.

However, after 77 yards through the air, I have to think that Ekeler has at least added himself to the passing down conversation. It’s the second time this season he’s seen at least five targets, and the first time he’s had more than 100 yards from scrimmage in his young career. Just be careful about chasing that production at least for this season because that was likely the best game he’ll have this season.

He is worth keeping an eye on because Gordon has been the picture of inconsistency this season, but if the Chargers decide to go elsewhere I’d have to think they’d draft another RB before Ekeler truly got a shot. Still, Gordon has had a few injuries in his short career and if that happens the Chargers would have no choice but to turn to Ekeler this season.

Verdict: Pick up off waivers if he’s still out there, trade a 2018 fourth for him if you feel like taking a shot in the dark

That’s going to do it for this week folks. I hope these player recommendations help you get to the fantasy “good place” a.k.a winning your league and bragging rights over your leaguemates. If you have any questions, feel free to message me @RekedFantasy on Twitter!

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