Laviska Shenault

Week 2 vs. Denver Broncos
Laviska Shenault entered Week 1 with the most fantasy hype of any Jacksonville receiver, but his Week 1 usage suggests he may end up being a PPR darling and little more. Shenault caught seven of his nine targets but had an extremely low aDOT of 4.0 yards, resulting in only 50 scoreless receiving yards on his seven catches. PPR players will take seven receptions any day, but Shenault is not going to post huge yardage totals or score many touchdowns while limited to short and intermediate routes in a bad offense. You can start Shenault as a flex in PPR leagues as his manufactured touches should give him a workable floor in that format, but he is at extreme risk for a total dud in standard leagues, especially against a tough Broncos defense in Week 2.

Fantasy Upside
As SI.com reminded readers, all offseason long, slot receivers were being mocked to the Jaguars in the first or second round. But after missing out on Florida's Kadarius Toney in the first round of April's draft, the team pivoted to RB Travis Etienne, to the benefit of Laviska Shenault Jr. In addition to receiving a massive quarterback upgrade, Shenault may be the favorite to lead the Jaguars in slot usage. He and Marvin Jones Jr. each spent just over 50 percent of snaps in the slot last year, but while Jones was more productive in terms of volume, Shenault was one of the most efficient slot receivers in the league. He ranked sixth in both yards after catch per reception and contested catch rate on slot targets among 68 qualifying receivers last year per PFF. He also ranked 27th in yards per route run despite ranking second-to-last in average depth of target ahead of only Deebo Samuel, who literally averaged negative air yards on slot targets.

Fantasy Downside
Shenault will be playing in a new offense, with a new coaching staff and plenty of new personnel surrounding him. It's not necessarily a recipe for disaster, but there's something to be said for continuity.

2021 Bottom Line
Shenault is talented enough to win on the perimeter, but his full potential may be unlocked by being Jacksonville's de facto slot receiver. With Trevor Lawrence as their triggerman, all the Jaguars receivers should make out, but don't sleep on Shenault based on that anticipated role.

Week 16 vs. Chicago Bears
In the loss at Baltimore last week, Laviska Shenault led the Jaguars with six targets, catching five passes for 43 yards. The rookie has fewer than 50 receiving yards in seven in a row and has only two TDs this year. Versus an average Chicago pass defense, Shenault doesn’t make for a good fantasy start.