Week 6 at Carolina Panthers
Alshon Jeffery was shut down last week by Patrick Peterson, but the Panthers provide some opportunities for success on Thursday night. Carolina allowed 5 touchdowns to Saints and Patriots WRs in Weeks 3 and 4. Take out last week's obvious bad CB matchup and Jeffery averaged 8.5 targets the first four weeks. Jeffery is back in WR2 status this week.
Week 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Quarterbacks have completed just 6 passes all year on Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson. This is not a good spot at all for Alshon Jeffery. The Cardinals may be 28th in our aFPA vs. PPR WRs, but just know that's not because of Patrick Peterson. That matchup moves Jeffery down to a low-end WR2 in Week 5.
Week 4 at Los Angeles Chargers
With Darren Sproles out for the year, the rest of the Eagles pass-catchers should see at least a slight uptick in targets. Jeffery is a solid WR2 with Chargers top corner Jason Verrett on IR. The Chargers are also only 16th in our aFPA vs. PPR WR rankings, and he's averaged 9.3 targets per game. If you got him, start him.
Week 3 vs. New York Giants
Jeffery almost doubled his targets from 7 to 13 in Week 2, giving fantasy owners the floor they were hoping to see as the Eagles' primary option in the passing game. Carson Wentz's volume doesn't hurt either (averaging 42 attempts per game). The matchup is tougher this week against the Giants (ranked fifth in our aFPA vs. PPR WRs), but consider Jeffery a low-end WR2 in all formats this week. He also has two red zone targets this season; therefore, Wentz is looking for him near the paydirt.
Week 2 at Kansas City Chiefs
Alshon Jeffery saw a lot of shutdown corner Josh Norman last week, leading to just 3 receptions for 38 yards on 7 targets. That's not going to get it done. There's concern again this week with Chiefs corner Marcus Peters looming. The Chiefs are 14th in aFPA vs. PPR WRs, but that is more about the Chiefs other corners, not the talented Peters. Because of this, Jeffery is again a low WR2 candidate in Week 2.
Week 1 at Washington
Reports say shutdown corner Josh Norman will draw the Alshon Jeffery assignment for Week 1, severely lowering his ceiling in his Eagles debut. That pushes Jeffery down to a more low-end WR2 rather than the high WR2 he was drafted at for this week. Washington was 15th in our aFPA vs. wide receivers last year; however, that was not due to Josh Norman struggling.
Fantasy Upside
Jeffery signed a one-year contract with the Eagles, betting on himself in an offense that was in desperate need of an upgrade at receiver last year. He should instantly get the most targets in the Eagles passing attack. Last year, Jordan Matthews led the team with 8.3 targets per game. At Jeffery's career 57.5 catch percentage, 4.9 percent touchdown rate, and 15.0 yards-per-reception average, that projects to 76 receptions, 1,145 yards, and 6.5 touchdowns. That's pretty darn close to 4for4 Senior Editor John Paulsen's projection for Jeffery.
Fantasy Downside
Receivers who change teams tend to underperform, unless they see an upgrade in quarterback and/or targets. It’s unlikely Jeffery sees either. He's also missed 11 games the past two seasons. For these reasons, Jeffery comes with some risk.
2017 Bottom Line
Jeffery's lack of elite target volume holds him back from joining the ranks of the elite fantasy receivers, in addition to the risks outlined above. For those reasons, he is likely a fantasy WR2 this season at his late-third/early-fourth ADP.
Week 17 vs. Minnesota
Alshon Jeffery has been strong since his return from a four-game suspension. He's had 89 yards (one TD) and 92 yards in his last two games, respectively.
Jeffery's stats may take a hit this week, however, as he goes up against a tough Vikings secondary. While Minnesota was torched last week by Jordy Nelson, they've typically been a tough defense to have success against.
Jeffery may not go bonkers this week, but he should be a solid start. He had 63 yards and a touchdown earlier in the season against Minnesota, and should be viewed as a low-end WR2.
Week 16 vs. Washington
Alshon Jeffery returned last week and delivered a strong 6-89-1 performance. But it's worth noting two other Bears receivers finished with more targets, receptions and yards than Jeffery last week.
This week, Jeffery will get a favorable matchup against the Redskins as Washington has allowed the fifth-most receiving yards per game (277.1). Jeffery is also the most likely candidate on the Bears to get red zone looks due to his height advantage.
Jeffery won't be an elite option, but he should be a solid WR2 with upside.
Week 15 vs. Green Bay
Alshon Jeffery returns this week from his suspension. If you've held on to him, you may be somewhat skeptical of what he'll do now with Matt Barkley at quarterback. Before his suspension, Jeffery was averaging about 70 yards per game on four receptions, which at least gets you to double digits in PPR formats.
Jeffery should get more looks as the Bears have lost Zach Miller and Eddie Royal to injury, which opens the door for targets.
He'll face a Packers defense in Week 15 that has allowed the fourth-most points to opposing receivers. This is a promising matchup for a talented receiver. Jeffery should be viewed as a WR2.
