Week 2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is a great matchup on paper for Eagles wide receivers, but Mike Wallace may be just a GPP dart throw in DFS for Week 2. How can you trust a WR with zero targets the week before in your redraft league starting lineups? There will always be more consistent options, even though Wallace squares off against a Tampa Bay defense that was just 31st in aFPA to WRs last year.
Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons (Thursday)
No Alshon Jeffery for Week 1 Thursday night means Mike Wallace will start for the Eagles on the outside as the likely third fantasy option in the Eagles pass attack, behind tight end Zach Ertz and WR Nelson Agholor. Considering how this offense spreads the targets around, Wallace should not be considered as anything more than a dart throw in redraft leagues this week or a potential value play in DFS.
Fantasy Upside
The Eagles added Wallace to replace Torrey Smith as an outside receiver in this offense. Alshon Jeffery reportedly could start the season on PUP. That could give Wallace a path to targets that were not there for Smith last season. A favorite late-round sleeper of many sharp fantasy analysts this season, Wallace still put up nine double-digit PPR weeks with the Ravens last season—an offense not as potent as Philly.
Fantasy Downside
If Jeffery is healthy, Wallace is relegated to nothing more than a deep best-ball sleeper. His weekly production will be inconsistent based on how much the Eagles spread targets around. He will be impossible to start with confidence each week in redraft leagues.
2018 Bottom Line
In the final rounds of redraft leagues, Wallace might be worth a look; however, he's no better than fourth in line for targets on this team if Alshon Jeffery is healthy.
Week 17 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Wallace had 60 yards on 4 receptions last week against the Colts. While his numbers haven’t been eye-popping, he’s been fairly steady over the second half of the season, averaging 7.3 targets and 65.7 yards over his past seven games.
Wallace faces a Bengals defense riddled with injuries this week, although he has been fairly effective against opposing receivers all season. Only the Broncos and Jaguars have allowed fewer fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. Wallace should hit his recent averages in a game both teams will want to win, and he should be considered a low-end WR2 in most leagues, with a high floor.
Week 16 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Mike Wallace had a quality game against the Browns last week, catching 6 passes for 89 yards. He was targeted 10 times in the game and now has double-digit fantasy points in five of his last six games. Wallace is the most consistent pass-catcher in Baltimore, and he leads the Ravens in both targets and receiving yards this season.
This week, Wallace has low-end WR2 upside against the Colts, who allow the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this year. While Wallace hasn’t put up big numbers, he’s been steady enough for fantasy owners to rely on, and he should definitely be considered a quality WR3/FLEX option in all league formats with a nice matchup.
Week 15 at Cleveland Browns
Mike Wallace only had 3 catches last week against the Steelers, but he still gained 72 yards, and he now has double-digit PPR fantasy points in four of his last five games. The Ravens offense has looked improved over the last two weeks, and as they make a final push for a playoff spot, it’s possible they’ll finish strong.
This week Wallace faces a Browns defense that has been very vulnerable to the tight end position, but actually ranks 13th in fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Also, Wallace is banged up. However, if Wallace is active, he has some deep-league upside, as the Browns are vulnerable to giving up the big play. They’ve allowed 7.3 yards per pass attempt this season, 23rd in the NFL. Wallace is risky but may be worth considering as a WR3 option.
Week 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Wallace had 5 catches for 116 yards against the Lions last week, and he’s been racking up targets, with 30 over his past four games. Wallace seems to be the primary weapon in the Ravens passing game, and his speed gives him upside in any given week.
The Steelers allow the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season, but Wallace has some upside going against his former team. He’s had a touchdown in two of his last three games against the Steelers, and while it’s risky to use him in a tough matchup, he has some value in deep leagues for fantasy owners looking for a boom/bust option.
Week 13 vs. Detroit Lions
Mike Wallace had 5 catches for only 48 yards last week against the Texans, but he was targeted a team-high 11 times. He has at least nine PPR fantasy points in three straight games and has been the most consistent receiving option in the Baltimore passing game.
That being said, the Baltimore passing game has been abysmal. Wallace still has upside this week against the Lions, however, Detroit is allowing 243 passing yards per game to opposing offenses and has a good enough offense that Baltimore will likely need to throw the ball to keep up. Wallace has low-end WR2 potential.
Week 12 vs. Houston Texans
Mike Wallace had 4 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown last week against the Packers. Wallace hasn’t been great this season, but he seems healthy after missing a week, and he’s now scored a touchdown in each of his past two starts. The Ravens will continue to feature both he and Jeremy Maclin outside, and Wallace still has speed to burn.
This week, Wallace has some upside against a Texans defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. While it’s risky to trust anyone in the Baltimore offense, Wallace has some WR3 potential in a great matchup.
Week 11 at Green Bay Packers
Mike Wallace only had 19 yards against the Titans before the bye last week, but he caught 4-of-7 passes thrown his way and he scored a touchdown—his second of the season. Wallace has been banged up, but he remains a lethal weapon on the outside with speed that hasn’t degraded much after nine years in the league.
The Packers give up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this year, so Wallace has some upside this week. He’s risky, but he seems to be healthy and is always a threat to make a big play. Fantasy owners should consider him a boom/bust prospect this week and use him as a viable desperation play in difficult matchups.
