Week 15 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Damiere Byrd has started to become involved in Chicago's offense. He's averaged 51.3 yards the past three games, highlighted by a 2-76-1 performance last week. But while 76 yards and a touchdown is nice, two targets and two receptions aren't a lot. There's really no other Bears receiver that's reliable outside of Darnell Mooney. Byrd isn't worth looking at in Week 15 unless you're REALLY desperate.
Week 17 at Los Angeles Rams
Damiere Byrd was third on the team among wide receivers in offensive snaps, but this offense isn’t producing enough to make that enticing. Unless he gets lucky and scores a long touchdown, it’s unlikely Byrd puts up decent fantasy numbers and owners should avoid rostering him in all formats.
Week 16 at Seattle Seahawks
Damiere Byrd out-snapped Pharoh Cooper and Andy Isabella last week and wound up with six catches for 86 yards, aided heavily by a 51-yard reception. Byrd is still behind Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk on the depth chart, however, even if he continues to get more looks than Cooper and Isabella, making him far too risky to trust in fantasy lineups. He should remain on waivers.
Week 9 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Damiere Byrd was targeted five times last week against the Saints, but he only caught two balls for 18 yards. Byrd flashes big-play ability at times, including a 58-yard reception three games ago, but he ultimately doesn’t get enough looks and hasn’t produced enough to warrant serious fantasy consideration. With Christian Kirk back in the lineup and a terrible matchup against the 49ers this week, what little value Byrd had in fantasy leagues is now completely gone. Leave him on waivers.
Week 8 at New Orleans Saints
Damiere Byrd caught one of the two balls thrown his way last week for four yards. He continues to have big-play ability, as evidenced by his 58-yard reception against the Falcons in Week 6, but his lack of production despite 80% of the team’s offensive snaps last week makes it hard to have high expectations for him. He should remain on waivers in all leagues.
Week 7 at New York Giants
Damiere Byrd caught both balls thrown his way for a total of 60 yards receiving last week against the Falcons, but he looks like a boom-or-bust option. Basically, if he catches a bomb for a touchdown, he’ll be a nice option. If not, he’ll do very little. He was on the field for only 22% of the team’s offensive snaps last week, and until that number increases significantly, it’s hard to trust him. He should remain on waivers.
Week 4 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Damiere Byrd had only nine yards on a pair of receptions against the Panthers last week, but his snap count exceeded 90% for the second straight week. Byrd is seeing the field and he’s had 18 targets through three games, making him worth paying attention to with a speculative eye. Ultimately, however, he’s at least third – and fourth if you include David Johnson – in the receiving order and vying with rookie KeeSean Johnson for even that distinction. Until that changes, he’s too risky to have on a fantasy roster.
Updated: Byrd is likely to miss Sunday's action, so what little value he had just went out the window.
Week 3 vs. Carolina Panthers
Damiere Byrd caught six passes last week for 45 yards on seven targets. Byrd was not only third on the team in targets, but was on the field for 93% of the offensive snaps compared to just 32% for rookie KeeSean Johnson. Byrd is hard to trust as the third receiver, but it’s a good sign to see him beating out Johnson, a preseason darling. Byrd has never lacked for the talent of big-play ability, but has struggled with injuries in the past. He’s worth considering on deep rosters as a long-term stash, but is probably best left on waivers in most leagues against the Panthers this week.
Week 2 at Baltimore Ravens
Damiere Byrd caught four passes for 42 yards last week against the Lions, but he was targeted seven times as the Cardinals played from behind all game and wound up 54 pass attempts. That kind of volume gives Byrd upside, but it’s hard to bank on week-to-week, even for a team that looks as bad as the Cardinals do. The Ravens crushed the Dolphins last week and were one of the best defenses in football a year ago, making it hard to trust Byrd. While he has potential, he’s still fourth on the depth chart, and he should stay on waivers unless that changes.
Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Damiere Byrd caught 2 touchdowns last week against the Packers. With Devin Funchess and Russell Shepard both dealing with some nagging injuries, Byrd may get some added playing time. He also provides more speed than the other options in the Carolina passing game. However, with other players in front of him on the depth chart, he should be viewed as a boom/bust option. He’s just as likely to wind up with a goose egg as he is to put up legitimate fantasy numbers.
