IND WR Devin Funchess - Week 1 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 1 at Los Angeles Chargers

Devin Funchess disappointed last year after a promising 2017 season. He had only 44 catches for 549 yards and four touchdowns and then signed with the Colts as a free agent in the offseason. Funchess’ prospects as the reliable possession receiver opposite T.Y. Hilton looked a lot more promising before the retirement of Andrew Luck, but there’s still upside. Only the Steelers threw the ball more than the Colts did last year and at least some of that is due to head coach Frank Reich and his history as an Andy Reid disciple. Still, we’ll need to see it first from Funchess, and he shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups for Week 1 against a tough Chargers defense.

Thursday, September 5, 2019 - 1:56pm
IND WR Devin Funchess - 2019 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside

Devin Funchess will get a new chance after four lackluster years with the Panthers. He looked poised for a breakout in 2017 with 63 catches, 840 yards and eight touchdowns, but regressed to 549 yards and four touchdowns last season. Funchess is a big body at 6-foot-4, who should be a red zone target for quarterback Andrew Luck. He’s only 25 years old and could still hit another level of development, particularly in such a productive offense. Only the Steelers attempted more passes than the Colts last season.

Fantasy Downside

Even if Funchess wins the starting job opposite T.Y. Hilton, the Colts will continue to use multiple tight ends in their offense, limiting Funchess’ targets. It’s possible he and the tight ends hurt each other when it comes to fantasy production. Eric Ebron will be competing with him for red zone looks, and Hilton is still going to be the primary option in the passing game. Funchess also may need to beat out rookie speedster Parris Campbell for targets, and Chester Rogers is still lurking around the roster as well.

2019 Bottom Line

Funchess should slide into the second-receiver role easily, and in such a great offense, it gives him WR2 upside. He’s risky, however, with so many other targets available, especially with Hilton there. Hilton has averaged 125 targets per season over his career and he’ll continue to be Luck’s favorite. However, considering all he costs is a late-round pick in most leagues, he’s worth rostering as a potential high-floor possession receiver if he carves out the role expected of him.

Friday, July 26, 2019 - 9:08am
CAR WR Devin Funchess - Week 12 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 12 vs. Seattle Seahawks

Devin Funchess has been disappointing the past four games, failing to catch more than four passes or eclipse 50 yards in any of them. Funchess is still getting targets – eight last week against the Lions – but he’s not delivering consistent fantasy production, even in good matchups. 44 yards against the Buccaneers swiss cheese defense does not inspire confidence.

This week, Funchess will face a Seattle defense that has been above average against the wide receiver position this season. Funchess’ targets are encouraging and point to a high floor, but his lack of production makes it hard to trust using him in any game, let alone against a decent defense. He’s a low-end WR3 option in deep leagues at best.

Update:
Funchess looks like he won't be active today, so fantasy owners should be sure to leave him out of lineups. This should help D.J. Moore, and in extremely deep leagues, Torrey Smith.

Friday, November 23, 2018 - 11:55am
CAR WR Devin Funchess - Week 11 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 11 at Detroit Lions

Devin Funchess had a disappointing game against the Steelers last week in a lopsided defeat, catching only three passes for 32 yards. Funchess has now been held to under 50 yards in three consecutive games and hasn’t scored since October 21st against the Eagles. He continues to be the primary outside option in the Panthers offense, but the bulk of the production in the passing game has been to Greg Olsen and Christian McCaffrey.

This week, Funchess will have a chance to get back on track against a Lions defense that was torched by the Bears last week. The Lions have been above average against the wide receiver position this year, but have given up 19 total touchdown passes, giving Funchess a chance to find the end zone in a must-win game for the Panthers. Funchess isn’t a sure thing, but he’s a steady option as a WR3 in most leagues.

Friday, November 16, 2018 - 12:30pm
CAR WR Devin Funchess - Week 10 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 10 at Pittsburgh Steelers

Devin Funchess had his second consecutive disappointing game last week, and this time against a terrible Buccaneers defense. He finished what should’ve been a great matchup with only 44 yards on four receptions. He was targeted five times, but the lack of production is disconcerting for a player who lacks big-play potential and needs volume in order to be productive.

Against the Steelers this week, Funchess will face a defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers, giving him upside and a chance to rebound. The Steelers are unlikely to go down easily, meaning the Panthers should be forced into a balanced offense featuring plenty of opportunities for Funchess. He’s risky because of his recent lack of production, but he has upside as a low-end WR2 in a nice matchup.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018 - 6:04pm
CAR WR Devin Funchess - Week 9 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Devin Funchess had his worst game of the season last week against the Ravens. He was targeted a season-low three times and only gained 27 yards on the day. Funchess had been a steady option for fantasy owners the previous few weeks, scoring three touchdowns in four games prior to Sunday’s debacle against Baltimore.

Funchess should rebound against the Buccaneers this week. Only the Saints are allowing more fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers this year, and Funchess should be able to take advantage of mismatches in the red zone. Funchess continues to have a pretty low ceiling in most weeks, but his floor should be high in such a great matchup, giving him solid WR2 potential in most leagues.

Friday, November 2, 2018 - 12:18pm
CAR WR Devin Funchess - Week 8 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 8 vs. Baltimore Ravens

Devin Funchess only gained 62 yards last week, but he was targeted a team-high 11 times, caught six passes and scored a touchdown. Funchess isn’t the flashiest receiver in the league, but he averages 4.1 catches per game and has scored a touchdown in three of his last four outings. He leads the Panthers in targets and has a high floor.

This week, Funchess faces a tough Ravens defense that has allowed the third-least fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. He may get fed the ball, but it’ll be hard for him to put up big numbers in what figures to be a low-scoring affair. Fantasy owners should view him as a high-floor WR3 option this week.

Friday, October 26, 2018 - 11:13am
CAR WR Devin Funchess - Week 7 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 7 at Philadelphia Eagles

Devin Funchess scored his second touchdown in three games last week against the Redskins, catching five passes for 74 yards. Funchess hasn’t been very explosive this season, but he’s been a grind-it-out type of receiver with a fairly high floor in most league formats. He’s only been held under four catches and 53 yards in one game this year and he’s second on the team to only Christian McCaffrey in targets.

This week, Funchess will face an Eagles team that held Odell Beckham Jr. in check last week, but has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers this season. While he has limited upside, he should be a reasonable bye-week filler in most leagues. Expect another 50-70 yards with a decent chance at a touchdown.

Thursday, October 18, 2018 - 1:11pm
CAR WR Devin Funchess - Week 6 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 6 at Washington Redskins

Devin Funchess had only four catches for 53 yards last week against the Giants. With more weapons present in the Panthers offense, it’s been hard for Funchess to thrive as a traditional WR1. He’s caught only one touchdown and has averaged only 4.5 receptions per game.

Washington has allowed the eighth-least fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position this year, making it hard to think Funchess will be too effective. He may get fed, so there’s a chance he does well, but fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible. We have him as a fringe WR2/WR3 option.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018 - 5:31pm
CAR WR Devin Funchess - Week 5 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 5 vs. New York Giants

Devin Funchess had a nice game before the bye last week, putting up 67 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. He led the team with seven targets, a feat in and of itself on a team with Christian McCaffrey. Funchess is the clear WR1 on the team, even though he may be a bit miscast for that role, so he remains valuable based on his targets alone.

This week, Funchess faces a Giants defense that has actually been pretty stout. They’ve allowed only one touchdown and the least amount of fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position this year. Funchess should get fed, so it’s worth considering him in deep leagues, but he’s a WR3 in most formats.

Thursday, October 4, 2018 - 11:58am

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