BALLER MOVE: Start in 14+ Team Leagues/Consider Starting in 12-Team Leagues
POSITIONAL VALUE: WR3/WR4
ANALYSIS: Jayden Reed had a strong rookie campaign, considering he was playing in a crowded offense of young skill position players and catching passes from first-year starter Jordan Love. The 2023 second-round pick tallied 64 receptions for 793 yards and eight receiving touchdowns and rushed 11 times for 119 yards and two more scores.
Reed scored the 23rd most half-PPR points among all wideouts, but his 12 total touchdowns will be tough to replicate in 2024, especially if Christian Watson and Luke Musgrave stay healthy after both players missed several games last year.
However, Reed is an intriguing Week 1 flex option in a matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year, Philly finished dead last in fantasy points per game allowed to wideouts.
Jayden Reed's second TD of the first half! @Packers take a 23-3 lead
📺: #GBvsMIN on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/cOt1Gy93Av pic.twitter.com/ot9CR0RipK— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2024
The Eagles brought in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to help alleviate the woes in the secondary, but it could take time for the new pieces to gel. Given Love's trajectory at the end of last season, fantasy managers should always consider starting one of his top pass-catchers in juicy matchups.
Although it's tough to evaluate Reed's early season role while everyone is healthy, he's a strong flex option in deep leagues and a touchdown-or-bust option in 10 or 12-team setups. If you already have strong options at wide receiver and flex spots, he can likely be benched.
More Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
James Conner - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in All Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: RB1/2 ANALYSIS: James Conner has been exactly what fantasy managers envisioned when they drafted him. He's sixth in the NFL in carries (37), ninth in yards (172), and tied for second in touchdowns (two). Even better, he has every running back carry for Arizona in the red […]
Malik Nabers - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 12+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR3 ANALYSIS: After an incredible performance in Week 2, it'll be hard to sit New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers in fantasy this week. The rookie caught 10 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown against the Washington Commanders. However, Nabers has an extremely tough […]
Mike Gesicki- Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 14+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: TE1 ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki has become a reliable option for quarterback Joe Burrow in the middle of the field. In Week 1, Gesicki caught three passes for 18 yards and almost reeled in a touchdown. Then, last week, the 28-year-old brought in […]
Josh Downs - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Start in 14+ Team Leagues POSITIONAL VALUE: WR3/WR4 ANALYSIS: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has a perfect skill set for a PPR Scam wide receiver, possessing great quickness and savviness on underneath and intermediate routes. Downs is a great chain-mover and has chemistry with QB Anthony Richardson. However, he's returning from an […]
Joshua Palmer - Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks
BALLER MOVE: Sit POSITIONAL VALUE: WR5 ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer had a solid 2023 in relief of departed WRs Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, but he hasn't carried that momentum into 2024. To make matters worse, Palmer has taken a back seat to second-year receiver Quentin Johnston and rookie Ladd McConkey. […]