Should I Drop Deebo Samuel? Fantasy Football Outlook

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has had a disappointing 2022 season. Last year, he was the WR2, averaging 18.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

His production has slipped this year. Samuel is the WR25 for the year, averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game. However, the star receiver scored fewer than 11 fantasy points in half of the games this year, including four of the past six contests.

In Week 14, Samuel suffered an injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When it happened, fantasy players feared the star receiver had suffered a season-ending injury.

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Should I Drop Deebo Samuel?

The star receiver looked like he suffered a torn ACL or worse against the Buccaneers. However, he suffered minor injuries. Unfortunately, they will keep Samuel out of the lineup for a few weeks.

Samuel missed last week’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. He will almost certainly miss Saturday’s matchup against the Washington Commanders. The only remaining question is whether the star receiver will return in Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Unfortunately, the injuries leave fantasy players in a difficult situation. Samuel could return for the championship match in Week 17. However, the 49ers could make a conservative decision and sit the star receiver until the playoffs.

Fantasy players should keep Samuel on the roster, but only if they don’t need the roster spot for another player. Keeping the star receiver should be considered a luxury, not a necessity.

What Wide Receiver Should I Target Off The Waiver Wire?

If fantasy players need the roster spot for Week 16, one wide receiver they should consider adding is DJ Chark. The Detroit Lions wide receiver is available in over 65% of ESPN leagues.

Last week the veteran receiver scored only 2.3 fantasy points. However, fantasy players should have sat the receiver, given his matchup against the New York Jets.

Over the previous two weeks, Chark totaled 11 receptions on 13 targets for 192 receiving yards and a touchdown. He was the WR13 during that span, averaging 15.4 fantasy points per game.

This week he takes on the Carolina Panthers. They have surrendered 28.9 fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season, the 11th-most in the NFL. Over their past two weeks, the Panthers have given up 390 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 73.9 fantasy points to wide receivers.

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