J.J. Nelson Fantasy Football Week 0 Scouting Report

J.J. Nelson
WR
,

Age: 32
Weight: 160 lbs
Height: 5' 10"

ADP:
Depth Chart Ranking: N/A

Pts	RecYds	RecTD	Rec	RuYds
0	0	0	0	0

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Scouting report

by Brandon Niles

· Sep 14, 2017 · 6:18 PM EDT

ARI WR J.J. Nelson - Week 2 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 2 at Indianapolis Colts

J.J. Nelson had 5 catches for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Lions in Week 1, but he’s still vying with John Brown for WR2 targets, making it difficult to trust him week-to-week. However, with Brown out this week, and a great matchup against the Colts, Nelson has some sneaky start potential in large leagues. He has shown he can be productive when he gets targets and the Cardinals should have success throwing the ball. He’s worth an exploratory add to large rosters, and if you're desperate, has some upside as a low-end WR3.

by Bob Harris

· Aug 10, 2017 · 4:35 AM EDT

ARI WR J.J. Nelson - 2017 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside

J.J. Nelson enjoyed a bit of a breakout during the second half of the 2016 season, but he benefited from quite a few splashy plays and caught only 34 passes on the season. After playing sparingly behind Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and John Brown, Nelson was a near-every-down player and racked up 9.7 targets per game during the final three games of the season. As ESPN.com noted, Nelson's 16.9 average depth of target was highest among players targeted at least 50 times. The 2015 fifth-round pick is undersized at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, but boasts game-breaking 4.26 speed.

Fantasy Downside

It's a crowded field if all involved—including David Johnson, who in addition to his running back duties is also the team's de facto No. 2 WR—are healthy and playing their usual roles. Carson Palmer will need to be on his game and he'll have to spread the ball around to fuel everybody's fantasy needs.

2017 Bottom Line

Fitzgerald turns 34 this year, Floyd is gone, and Brown struggled with health issues all last season, so Arizona added Chad Williams in the third round of April's draft. But the newcomer is viewed more as an eventual replacement for Fitzgerald than an immediate impact receiver this year, so Nelson's chances of playing a significant role in 2017 are reasonable.

by Brandon Niles

· Dec 29, 2016 · 7:34 PM EST

ARI WR J.J. Nelson - Week 17, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 17 vs. Los Angeles

J.J. Nelson is a boom-bust option who has been able to find the end zone in four straight games. It’s hard not to like his potential with Michael Floyd gone and his nose for the end zone, especially coming off a 132 yards performance against Seattle last week. Nelson and the Cardinal passing game has not been consistent for much of the year, so there’s risk in counting on the speedy second year player, but he has at least seven targets in two straight games, making him a decent WR3 option in large leagues or quick strike formats.

by Brandon Niles

· Dec 14, 2016 · 7:43 PM EST

ARI WR J.J. Nelson - Week 15, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 15 vs. New Orleans

J.J. Nelson is a big play waiting to happen. He had two touches last week, a 56-yard touchdown run and an eight-yard touchdown reception. While I wouldn’t expect multiple touchdowns each week from Nelson, he should have opportunities with the recent release of Michael Floyd and the ongoing health struggles of John Brown.

This week, Nelson has some long-shot upside against a Saints team that gives up the fourth most passing yards per game and tied for the second most yards per attempt. Nelson is a boom-bust option, but if you’re desperate, the matchup opportunity is there for him to catch another bomb.

by Brandon Niles

· Nov 10, 2016 · 7:03 PM EST

ARI WR J.J. Nelson - Week 10, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 10 vs. San Francisco

J.J. Nelson has been very good his last couple of games as the Cardinals have dealt with nagging injuries at the WR2/WR3 spots. He had 84 yards against the Seahawks in Week 7, and then followed that up with eight catches, 79 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Panthers before the bye last week. He’s a big play waiting to happen and the Cardinals seem like they’re trying to get him more active in the passing game.

This week, he has an excellent matchup against a struggling 49ers defense that has allowed the fourth most passing touchdowns in the league this year. Nelson has risk associated with him because the Cardinals have so many weapons, but he’s not a bad low-end WR3 option with upside in most leagues. The other danger is that the Cardinals get up early and run the ball the entire second half, but Nelson is worth considering if you need a high upside WR.

by Brandon Niles

· Oct 27, 2016 · 6:17 PM EDT

ARI WR J.J. Nelson - Week 8, 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 8 at Carolina
J.J. Nelson filled in for the injured John Brown last week and made a huge play in overtime, catching a 44-yard pass to set up a chance for a winning field goal – it’s not Nelson’s fault the kicker missed. He ended up with only three catches for 84 yards, but he was targeted seven times.

This week, John Brown is supposed to be back, but it’s not a sure thing. Additionally, Michael Floyd is banged up, so there’s a chance for Nelson to get a lot of snaps. If one or both of Brown and Floyd miss the game, then Nelson could be a sneaky good WR2 option in large leagues since he’s facing a Carolina pass defense that is tied for the sixth most passing yards per game and gave up four touchdown passes to Drew Brees in Week 6.

by Bob Harris

· Aug 02, 2016 · 9:55 PM EDT

ARI WR J.J. Nelson - 2016 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside
As NFL.com recently noted, J.J. Nelson has drawn considerable praise this offseason. Head coach Bruce Arians has talked up the speedster as well. Nelson played well in a limited role last season, compiling 299 yards on just 11 receptions (27.2 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. Nelson appears as No. 24 on Football Outsiders’ top-25 breakout prospects of 2016.

Fantasy Downside
The knock on Nelson is he's small at 5-10, 160 pounds, and he's the perfect candidate to flash in padless spring practices. Not only must Nelson carry over his offseason performances onto the training camp field with the pads on, but he'll need to leap someone on the depth chart as well.

2016 Bottom Line
The Cardinals have one of the top receiver groups in the NFL. Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown are all ahead of Nelson in the pecking order. Floyd is on the last year of his contract and Fitzgerald enters the twilight of his career, so Nelson might be best viewed as a stash-and-hold dynasty player. That said, Arizona's offense is certainly prolific enough to support multiple wideouts.