Week 13 at Miami Dolphins
It's pretty hard to put up any fantasy numbers as a wide receiver when your team isn' t throwing the ball. Kelvin Benjamin was targeted twice last week and that was one off of the team-high. QB Josh Allen only threw 13 passes total.
Buffalo's offense has struggled all season and Benjamin's numbers have mirrored those numbers. If you are hanging onto Benjamin waiting for that to change, you are wasting a roster spot with him or any other Bills receiver. Keep them all on the waiver wire.
Week 10 at New York Jets
Kelvin Benjamin had four receptions for 40 yards last week. He is the most viable fantasy receiver on the Buffalo roster, but that isn't saying much. With Nathan Peterman at quarterback, the Bills passing game is very bad and that affects everyone.
No reason to play Benjamin on the road Sunday at New York against a below-average pass defense. The numbers say it all and they say the Bills players involved in the passing game are not viable options.
Week 9 vs. Chicago Bears
Kelvin Benjamin has been the most targeted Buffalo player this season, but the results aren't there. He only had two receptions for 45 yards last Monday and that's with seven targets. It shows you that quarterback is an issue, and the Bills will bring back Nathan Peterman to start Sunday.
Benjamin is not an option for your fantasy lineup this week so keep him on the bench or the waiver wire.
Week 8 vs. New England Patriots
Kelvin Benjamin had his best game of the season with four receptions for 71 yards. That performance makes him the highest ranked Bills' wide receiver, but that's not saying much.
With Derek Anderson at quarterback, the Buffalo skill players will struggle. Benjamin should not be in your starting lineup or even on your roster.
Week 5 vs. Tennessee Titans
The Bills' passing game has been bad and part of the issue is the rookie quarterback situation. Kelvin Benjamin is the highest-rated Buffalo wide receiver, but he only had one reception last week. Keep Benjamin on the waiver wire along with any other Bills receiver.
Week 4 at Green Bay
Kelvin Benjamin had three catches for 29 yards last week against Minnesota. That matched his totals for the first two games. Even with a great matchup against a poor Green Bay pass defense, Benjamin is not a fantasy factor heading into Week 4. He should remain on the waiver wire with a rookie QB at the helm and a questionable Buffalo offense.
Week 1 at Baltimore Ravens
The league was expecting big things from Kelvin Benjamin last season, not for him being traded during the season. Benjamin wasn't able to prove the Panthers wrong for trading him, but he will have another opportunity this season.
The Bills will face a pass defense that was good last year and will be one of the better ones in 2018. Although Benjamin is clearly the most talented receiver on the Bills, his production will be limited by the Bills' overall offense and the tough Week 1 matchup.
Keep Benjamin on the bench for the opener and expect him to be depth on your team most of the season.
Fantasy Upside
Kelvin Benjamin put up some pretty good numbers his first two years in the NFL—1,949 receiving yards. So, many believe he is capable of being an elite receiver in the NFL. There is little doubt he will be the No. 1 target in the Buffalo passing game. He also is in a contract year which usually motivates players for the next paycheck.
Fantasy Downside
Benjamin fell out of favor in Carolina and was traded to the Bills midseason. That's not usually a good sign. Once with the Bills, Benjamin put up modest numbers. In six games with Buffalo, Benjamin caught 16 of his 27 targets for 217 yards and just one touchdown. He also had some minor knee surgery in January but is expected to be 100 percent for Week 1. Another issue is at quarterback for the Bills which could limit Benjamin's numbers.
2018 Bottom Line
At this point, Benjamin is not even considered a fantasy starter and is probably nothing more than a depth option at this point. His ADP is 118 which puts him as an 11th-round pick. If you draft him, don't expect much, although he could surprise some people if the quarterback situation is stable.
Wild Card Round at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kelvin Benjamin finished the season on a low note after showing he might be starting to come around in the Bills offense. He finished with only 2 catches for 27 yards. He still isn't 100% healthy and now he will face the Jaguars, who are ranked fourth in aFPA to wide receivers.
A tough matchup on the road is not good for Benjamin's ranking. He probably will have some value because he is the best receiver on Buffalo's roster, but we only have him ranked as a WR2 or in the third tier of fantasy wide receivers for Wild Card weekend.
Week 17 at Miami Dolphins
Kelvin Benjamin had his best game as a member of the Bills last week, catching 5 receptions for 70 yards. The knee injury that has hampered him is still an issue, but he did practice this week and is expected to play.
Benjamin will square off against a Miami defense who held him to 2 receptions two weeks ago. The Dolphins are 12th in aFPA to wide receivers. Although Benjamin has shown us some glimpses of what is he capable of, we don't like the matchup or his health status. Keep him on the bench for Week 17.
