Should I Pickup And Start Justin Watson? Fantasy Football Outlook

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson was a fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2018 NFL Draft. Watson had a solid college career at Penn, totaling 14 receiving touchdowns.

After spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Buccaneers, the former Penn wide receiver joined the Chiefs before the 2022 season. Last year, he had 15 receptions on 34 targets for 315 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

While most of the attention this offseason has been surrounding Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney, could Watson turn into the team’s replacement for JuJu Smith-Schuster?

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Should I Pickup And Start Justin Watson?

Reportedly, Rashee Rice and Justyn Ross will start the 2022 season with limited roles on offense. The report isn’t surprising, given that the two wide receivers have zero combined NFL experience. Therefore, Moore, Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Watson will be the primary wide receivers to begin the year.

While Watson will have a role on offense, that doesn’t mean fantasy players should add him off the waiver wire and start him in Week 1, even with Travis Kelce dealing with a knee injury. Kansas City added multiple wide receivers this offseason, including Rice and Richie James.

Watson has never been a fantasy-relevant player. The former Penn wide receiver has only 38 receptions on 74 targets for 573 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 57 career games. Furthermore, he has more than two receptions in four career contests.

What Other Wide Receivers Should I Consider?

Instead of picking up and starting Watson this week, fantasy players should add Marvin Mims Jr. off the waiver wire. The rookie wide receiver is available in over 85% of ESPN leagues.

Unfortunately, the Denver Broncos have gotten destroyed by injuries at the wide receiver position this offseason. Tim Patrick is out for the year with a torn Achilles. KJ Hamler got released after discovering a heart issue but could return at some point this season. More importantly, Jerry Jeudy is dealing with a hamstring injury.

That leaves Courtland Sutton and Mims as the starting two wide receivers for the Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Thankfully, it’s an excellent matchup for the rookie. Last year, the Raiders gave up 27 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to wide receivers.

Fantasy players who need a last-minute addition off the waiver wire should pick up Mims.

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