Week 12 - Royal vs. St. Louis
Eddie Royal had just two catches for 27 yards on three targets last week. It's been a struggle for Royal owners the last four games. Coincidence or not, it's been the last four games where QB Philip Rivers has struggled a bit, and it came out this week Rivers is dealing with a rib injury. Royal is not a recommended play.
Week 11 - Royal vs. Oakland
Eddie Royal had just one target against the Dolphins back in Week 9. His last three games have been lines of 1-20, 3-29 and 0-0. Back in Week 6 vs. Oakland he did have a TD, it was his last solid fantasy outing in fact. This week it's the Raiders again, who rank 11th in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Royal is too risky for lineups these days.
Week 9 - Royal vs. Miami
Eddie Royal had just three catches for 29 yards on three targets last week. Even in a come-from-behind effort, Royal against wasn't really involved. He had a 1-20-0 line in Week 7. After averaging over 7 targets a game Weeks 1-4, it's down to just over 3 between Weeks 5-8. He's a desperation play only at this point.
Week 8 - Royal vs. Denver
Eddie Royal had one catch for 20 yards last week, continuing to prove he's just not a consistent fantasy option despite putting up very usable fantasy numbers a few weeks this year. This week's game against Denver could be one of those where Royal puts up decent fantasy points if the Bolts have to play from behind. But it's risky to count on, leaving Royal best suited for deeper leagues.
Week 7 - Royal vs. Kansas City
Eddie Royal left last week's game with a rib injury. He had two catches for 49 yards and his fifth TD of the season. He's been a little more consistent this year but still shouldn't be an automatic in your lineup in typical leagues. Keep an eye on his rib injury for this week.
Week 6 - Royal vs. Oakland
Eddie Royal had three catches for 40 yards and was targeted just three times. The targets are a season low as he came in averaging just under eight a game.
Such is life for Royal's fantasy owners. We've seen what he can do on good weeks but when you play him you risk just a couple of points of production most weeks. This week's matchup is against the Raiders who rank 13th in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Royal is going to be a risky play just about every week, though, no matter what the matchup is. Use him as a flex if you must.
Week 5 - Royal vs. NY Jets
We've been down this road with Eddie Royal before. Last week he caught five balls for 105 yards and two TDs. It's now back-to-back weeks with two TDs.
Royal was on a similar pace last year then disappeared for the most part. He's a risky play even in the middle of this hot streak and will likely remain that way unless these numbers remain consistent - and that remains to be seen. The good news is, if you want to play Royal this week, the matchup is a good one as the Jets rank 26th in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Another thing to note is Royal seems to be getting targets, averaging seven a game. The lack of a run game, and Danny Woodhead in particular, seems to be helping Royal.
Week 4 - Royal vs. Jacksonville
Eddie Royal put up two TDs last week along with four catches for 42 yards. He was targeted six times and was clearly the Bolts top WR against the Bills.
We've seen this before from Royal only to be picked up off the wire, started and pretty much do nothing for owners. So, I'll drop the same warning again this week - he's still a risky play.
Royal does have a few things going for him, 1) it's a nice matchup against the Jags, and 2) Keenan Allen has been pretty invisible this year. But Royal is still a risk and we have him ranked below both Allen and Malcom Floyd again this week.
Week 3 - Royal vs. Buffalo
Eddie Royal had a nice game last week with seven catches for 69 yards on 10 targets vs. the Seahawks.
Royal is never really a safe play based on inconsistent numbers week-to-week. As difficult as last week's matchup was vs. Seattle, this week's is a pretty good one against the Bills. Buffalo ranks 32nd in allowing fantasy points to WRs, but as good of a matchup as this is, Royal is only ranked in the 70s and just isn't safe for a typical league lineup.
Week 2 vs. Seattle
Eddie Royal had one catch for 20 yards on six targets last week. He rushed twice for -1 yard.
Royal is too up and down for fantasy lineups, and for the most part is down anyway, getting just a couple of touches per game. He'll have his standout games but for the longterm he's way too risky in typical leagues.
