Week 17 at Detroit Lions
Dante Pettis led Bears WRs in targets last week with five, and scored the team's only touchdown. But he also finished with just two catches for 11 yards. Pettis has seen increased playing time with Chase Claypool out, but he hasn't done a whole lot to warrant interest in fantasy. He'd be an extremely desperate play in Week 17 despite a favorable matchup vs. the Lions (30th aFPA).
Week 16 vs. Buffalo Bills
Dante Pettis led all Bears wide receivers in targets last week with four. But he only came away with one catch for 13 yards. The Bears are without Darnell Mooney (IR) and possibly Chase Claypool (knee) again, which technically creates some more opportunities. But the Bears pretty much just spread the ball around with all of their terrible wide receivers last week. We'd avoid this WR room completely for Week 16 against the Bills.
Week 7 at New England Patriots
After four straight games with no receptions, Dante Pettis came out of nowhere with a 4-84-1 stat line last week on a season-high seven targets. Coming into the game, Pettis had six total targets on the season. Despite having four games without a single catch, Pettis is somehow second on the team in receiving yards and is the only Bears player with multiple receiving touchdowns. It was a nice game from Pettis, but we'll need to see more of it before he becomes a viable option in fantasy. We'd avoid him in Week 7.
Week 2 at Green Bay Packers
Dante Pettis finished with 51 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. That sounds nice, but it was also his only target of the game. And it came on a broken play that looked like it was more fluke than talent. Pettis only played on 40% of the offensive snaps, so it's unlikely he's involved enough to be relevant in fantasy. He can be avoided in Week 2.
Week 8 at Kansas City Chiefs
Look, I don’t like this any more than you do, but Dante Pettis has 16 targets in two games and scored a touchdown last week against the Panthers. He probably still stinks, but if Sterling Shepard is another late scratch and Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney remain out – as expected – then Pettis could be in line for significant targets against a Chiefs defense that ranks 24th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. He’s a long shot, but if you’re desperate and Shepard is out, consider plugging in Pettis as a boom-or-bust desperation play.
Week 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Dante Pettis was targeted three times last week but failed to catch a ball. Aside from a couple of random touchdowns, Pettis has been largely an afterthought in a disappointing season. Until he starts producing regularly, he’s safe to drop in the vast majority of leagues.
Week 10 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Dante Pettis caught a 21-yard touchdown last week against the Cardinals, but fantasy owners shouldn’t get too excited just yet. While he remains a player with long-term upside, it was his only target on the day and he has played just 30% of the team’s offensive snaps since the 49ers traded for Emmanuel Sanders two weeks ago. Pettis is worth stashing in deep dynasty formats, but he’s droppable in most redraft leagues.
Week 9 at Arizona Cardinals
Dante Pettis caught just one pass for five yards last week. He’s been bitterly disappointing this season, and while he still holds some value as a stash option in deep leagues just in case he gets it figured out, he’s far too risky to hold in the majority of formats, let alone start. Pettis is a disappointing player on a team that hasn’t been putting up much in the way of passing stats. It’s time to cut bait on him.
Week 8 vs. Carolina Panthers
Dante Pettis saw 92% of the team’s offensive snaps last week against Washington, and while he failed to record a target, it’s a hard game to judge him on given the weather and field conditions. The 49ers only threw the ball 21 times and 12 targets went to running backs and tight ends. Pettis is too risky to have in lineups, and the addition of Emmanuel Sanders this past week via trade doesn’t help his chances for increased looks, but his playing time over the past few games and his talent make him worth stashing in large leagues. This week is a bad matchup, however, even if we knew he’d get targets. The Panthers are fourth in the league in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Sit him.
Week 7 at Washington Redskins
Dante Pettis is quietly coming around. He only had 45 yards on three receptions last week against the Rams, but he was second on the team with six targets and he leads all 49ers’ wide receivers in snaps over the past two games. Pettis’ talent should win out long-term, and he should still be rostered in deep leagues or in situations where fantasy owners have a bench spot to burn. Because of his lack of production, it’s not wise to put Pettis in your lineup just yet, even in what could be a reasonably good matchup against Washington, but keep an eye on him. There could be light at the end of the tunnel.
