Week 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had the second-highest playing time amongst Chiefs WRs in Week 2, playing on 63% of the offensive snaps. He didn't do a whole lot, though, finishing with just two catches for 48 yards on two targets. The highlight was a 34-yard catch. MVS will continue to be a boom-or-bust option at WR in Week 2. He should be viewed in WR4-WR5 range.
Week 1 vs. Detroit Lions
Marquez Valdes-Scantling was OK in his first season with the Chiefs last year, finishing with 42 receptions for 687 yards and two touchdowns. As expected, though, he was pretty much a hit-or-miss player given his speed. Sometimes he was able to breakout for a big catch, but other times he was barely used. He finished under 30 receiving yards in nine games last year. Even though JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman left in the offseason, we'd expect MVS's role to remain the same this year. He does get a good matchup in Week 1 vs. the Lions, but MVS should be viewed as a boom-or-bust WR4/WR5 option to start the year.
Week 17 vs. Denver Broncos
Marquez Valdes-Scantling finished with a goose egg last week on two targets. As we've written about every week, MVS is a very boom-or-bust type of player with one reception or less in five of his last 10 games. And lately he's been more of a bust with 46 total yards in his last three games. And one of those games was against the Broncos, his opponent this week. In MVS's earlier game against Denver, he finished with one catch for 20 yards. MVS will continue to be a hit-or-miss WR5 play for Week 17.
Week 16 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Last week, Marquez Valdes-Scantling saw five targets, catching three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown. It was just MVS's second touchdown of the season, so his score feels more like luck than something we can continue to expect from him. Overall, it was MVS's fifth game out of his last nine below 30 receiving yards in a game. MVS is a boom-or-bust player, who typically has more busts than boom. This week he draws a tough matchup against a Seahawks defense allowed the third-fewest average fantasy points to wide receivers this season. He's not much more than a mid-tier WR4 for Week 16.
Week 15 at Houston Texans
Marquez Valdes-Scantling's up-and-down season continued last week as he finished with just one catch for 20 yards (on three targets). MVS now has one reception or less in four of his last eight games. Given the tough matchup against the Texans (2nd aFPA) this week, MVS would appear on pace for another dud performance. But these boom-or-bust players can be tough to predict. MVS should be viewed as a hit-or-miss WR4 option this week.
Week 14 at Denver Broncos
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a unique game last week. He saw six targets, had two receptions and finished with 71 receiving yards. MVS is 4th in the league in yards per catch (among players with 20+ rec.) with a 17.8 yard average. That's not a surprising stat considering his skillset, but it's just a reminder that MVS is a boom-or-bust type of player. If he's unable to haul in one of those deep passes, then he's prone to having some dud games, including four games below 20 receiving yards this season. MVS will continue to be a boom-or-bust WR3 this week in a tough matchup vs. the Broncos (9th aFPA).
Week 13 at Cincinnati Bengals
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a decent outing last week, finishing 4-56 on five targets. Lately, MVS has been inconsistent with on-and-off performances over his past six games. In three of those games, he's finished with 20 yards or less and in the other games he's totaled 227 yards. MVS will continue to be a boom-or-bust play heading into Week 13 against the Bengals (21st aFPA). He should be viewed as a risky WR4.
Week 12 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Even with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman out, and Kadarius Toney leaving early, Marquez Valdes-Scantling still only managed to finish with one catch for 18 yards last week. He did see four targets, but the outing just shows that MVS is truly a boom-or-bust play in fantasy. He'll remain that in Week 12 in an OK matchup vs. the Rams (15th aFPA). Smith-Schuster should return, but Toney is likely out this week, so MVS's playing time should remain around the same as it has been. MVS should be viewed as a risk/reward WR5 this week.
Week 11 at Los Angeles Chargers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a solid game last week, finishing 3-60-1 on four targets, scoring his first touchdown of the season. As we mentioned last week, MVS has been a hit-or-miss option lately with his last five games finishing with 90 yards, 0 yards, 111 yards, 12 yards and 60 yards. He should be a little more stable this week purely because of opportunity. Mecole Hardman has been placed on IR, and JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) is trending towards not playing in Week 11. MVS should be viewed as a lower-end WR2 or a strong WR3 play this week in an OK matchup vs. the Chargers (13th aFPA).
Week 10 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a really disappointing game last week as he finished with one reception for 12 yards. Patrick Mahomes threw the ball 68 times in Week 9, and MVS only saw one target despite playing on 71 snaps (out of 100). MVS has been very hit-or-miss as his last three games have finished with yardage totals of 0, 111 and 12. He'll continue to be a boom-or-bust option in Week 10 in a favorable matchup against the Jaguars (28th aFPA). He should be viewed as a WR4.
