2022 Fantasy Upside
Kenny Golladay had a forgettable 2021 season with just 521 yards on 37 receptions. However, he was targeted 76 times and played in 14 games after injuries kept him out of 11 contests in 2020 and out of most offseason activities in 2021. He led the league in touchdown receptions as recently as 2019 and still projects as the only true X-receiver on the Giants’ roster. The Giants brought in upgrades in coaching and along the offensive line in hopes of improving 2021’s second-worst offense.
2022 Fantasy Downside
Golladay was nicked up a lot last year and had a late start, and he’s already been flagged with the red jersey in early camp photos. Additionally, his low catch percentage – 48.7% - last season might be indicative of a poor rapport with Daniel Jones. While Jones’ own injury issues were certainly a factor, the two seemed to be on completely separate pages. They failed to connect on a single receiving touchdown, an avenue where Golladay should thrive.
2022 Bottom Line
Golladay is being drafted in the late-12th round, so the risks associated with him are baked into his ADP. He’s still a big, talented option on the outside in an offense that can’t help but be better than it was last season. He’s worth the risk at his ADP and as one of the final two receivers on your fantasy bench.
Week 17 at Chicago Bears
Kenny Golladay had eight targets last week, but caught just three balls for 22 yards. It’s hard to imagine anything turning around for the Giants in the last two weeks of the season, and fantasy managers should continue to leave Golladay on waivers in an overall very forgettable season.
Update: With Kadarius Toney out, Golladay is kind of the last wide receiver standing in this offense. It might not matter, given the quarterback situation, but this is as good of a chance as he's had to succeed all year. Golladay is very risky, but should see enough targets to make him a boom-or-bust, deep-league WR3 option.
Week 16 at Philadelphia Eagles
Kenny Golladay had three catches for 53 yards last week against the Cowboys. He was second on the team – behind Saquon Barkley – with seven targets, however, and he’s really the only healthy(ish) option in the Giants’ passing attack now that Sterling Shepard is out for the year.
This week, Golladay faces an Eagles defense that ranks fourth in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. In a tough matchup, on a terrible offense, Golladay probably shouldn’t be trusted, but if you need to swing at something this week, the target share gives him a small ounce of boom-or-bust upside. Tread carefully.
Week 15 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Kenny Golladay was limited to just two catches for 15 yards last week against the Chargers, despite leading the team with eight targets. Golladay is probably looking forward to turning the page on this season as it’s been marred with horrible quarterback play and a litany of injuries. He’s too risky to have in lineups this week, even though Dallas ranks just 28th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. He has some deep, deep league potential due to his role and targets, but he should probably stay on waivers in most leagues. Sit him.
Week 14 at Los Angeles Chargers
Kenny Golladay had three catches on five targets for 37 yards last week against the Dolphins before leaving with a rib injury. Golladay hasn’t quite clicked in New York, with struggles at quarterback and also difficulty staying on the field. If active this week, Golladay faces a Chargers defense that ranks 13th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. He's a risky starter and fantasy managers should look elsewhere, even if he’s active. If you’re forced to start him, make sure to monitor the injury report right up to game time and have a backup plan in place.
Update: Looks like Golladay is expected to play, but he's still a massive risk with bad quarterback play, inconsistency and questionable health. Tread lightly.
Week 13 at Miami Dolphins
Kenny Golladay had three catches on seven targets for 50 yards last week against the Eagles. He’s been unable to really get it going for the Giants this season, with injuries and inconsistent quarterback play certainly playing a role. With only one game with double-digit fantasy points and zero touchdowns this season, it’s hard to trust him week-to-week.
There’s some upside this week, as Golladay faces a Dolphins defense that ranks dead last in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Don’t start him over someone more proven, but if you need WR3 help and someone has dropped Golladay, there’s a possibility he produces against the Dolphins secondary. His seven targets last week lead the team, so they’re trying to get him involved. He’s a boom-or-bust option.
Week 12 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Kenny Golladay has been back healthy for two games and has just three catches and 40 yards since his return. The Eagles are tough against wide receivers – third in aFPA – so this isn’t the week to keep gambling on Golladay. Sit him.
Week 11 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenny Golladay returned to action before the bye last week, catching both his targets for 28 yards. Golladay is a risky option for fantasy managers as he’s been in-and-out of the lineup so much, he hasn’t really developed a great rapport with quarterback Daniel Jones. That being said, he had 26 targets over his first four games with Jones, providing some optimism moving forward.
This week, Golladay faces a Buccaneers defense that ranks 27th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. It’s a nice matchup for him, and he should get plenty of targets in a game script that should feature the Giants trailing. He’s risky – along with the rest of the Giants offense – but is worth considering as a boom-or-bust WR3 option in most leagues.
Week 5 at Dallas Cowboys
Kenny Golladay had his first legitimately good fantasy outing last week for the Giants in a victory over the Saints. He caught six of seven targets for 116 yards. While he didn’t find the end zone, it was good to see a better connection between him and quarterback Daniel Jones. I expect the touchdowns will come.
This week, Golladay faces a Cowboys defense that ranks 26th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. We have him ranked as a low-end WR3 option against a very solid cover corner in Trevon Diggs – who is questionable – but his targets and upside in a solid matchup make him worth gambling on, especially in deeper leagues.
Week 4 at New Orleans Saints
Kenny Golladay was nicked up going into last week, but he still managed to lead the team with 64 receiving yards on four receptions. Golladay is still working his way into the offense and building chemistry with quarterback Daniel Jones, but his “limited snap count” equating to still taking 69% of the team’s offensive snaps is a good sign for his role on the team. The absence of Sterling Shepard in the short-term, and possibly Darius Slayton as well, should mean more of an emphasis on Golladay, giving him upside.
This week, Golladay faces the Saints, who rank 26th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers so far this season, but have PFF’s top-rated (tied with Trevon Diggs) coverage cornerback this year in Marshon Lattimore. As such, expect a tough outing for all the Giants’ pass catchers and we have Golladay ranked outside of starting territory this week.
