With 16 targets over his last two games, and 28 over his first four
NFL games, Rashod Bateman is a clear part of this offense. He led
all Baltimore receivers with 80 yards last week, and should benefit
greatly from the attention that Mark Andrews and Hollywood Brown
will command this week against Chicago. Bateman’s elite route running
should help Jackson get rid of the ball and avoid the pressure he’ll
undoubtedly face against a desperate Bears defense.
The guy beginning to make some magic with rookie QB Justin Fields
is not the receiver many assumed. The speedy, diminutive Mooney
has caught the eye of Fields and has become the most trusted receiver
in this offense. The Baltimore secondary looked downright silly
against Miami last week, and has had trouble controlling secondary
receivers. With Robinson still commanding attention, I think Mooney
gets deep a few times and makes for a sneaky receiver play in standard
leagues.
With ticket sales skyrocketing, and a big win over the Cardinals,
Cam fever is back in Carolina. Now I’m not going to presume
this lovefest will last, but I’m willing to catch lightning
in a bottle. D.J. Moore has been a victim of his quarterback play
this season, but remains supremely talented. Newton’s return
JUST might be what Moore needs to get back into the WR2 conversation,
at least until reality sets in. Let’s just enjoy the moment
shall we.
It was great while it lasted (and it was great) but after spending
the better part of the early season vying with Cooper Kupp for king
of the pass catchers, Williams has cratered back to earth with 10
scoreless receptions over his last 4 games. His coach claims his
knee has nothing to do with it, but this offense has completely
lost the ability to connect on the deep ball. Perhaps Herbert and
Williams are getting the Cover-2 treatment, leading to more underneath
opportunities for Keenan Allen. Injury or scheme is holding Williams
down, and it might be time to consider options with a higher ceiling.
Jaguars WR vs SF
When a converted defensive back has become your biggest weapon in
the passing game it’s time to reevaluate things. Jamal Agnew
is playing the role that Coach Meyer envisioned for Travis Etienne,
but that’s been to the detriment of guys like Laviska Shenault
and Marvin Jones. The actual receivers on this team have dropped
to 3rd or 4th in the pecking order no one on this offense can be
fully trusted, especially with a rookie quarterback still learning
the ropes.
It’s incredibly hard for tight ends to be the first options
in passing games, only because they can be taken away so easily
by double teams. After a hot start defenses have realized that TJ
is the one and only threat in the secondary, and have adjusted accordingly.
He was blanked entirely last week on only 1 target (in a game that
went a FULL 70 minutes) and hasn’t found the endzone since
Week 2. I know the tight end position is nearly fallow, but Hockenson
is no longer a must start.
