Week 10 vs Los Angeles
Brandon Marshall has not had a touchdown since Week 5 and his numbers have been pedestrian at best. Part of the problem is the Jets overall offense including QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Marshall has always been a top fantasy receiver, but this year is different. He is still getting targets, just nor production.
The Rams are the Week 10 opponent and are 23rd in aFPA to wide receivers. That pushes Marshall's value up this week despite recent struggles. Start him as a high-end WR2 against Los Angeles.
Week 9 at Miami
Brandon Marshall is still playing like a strong No. 1 receiver, but the numbers aren't anywhere near last year. So far this season, Marshall has had only two 100-yard receiving days and two touchdowns on the entire season.
The matchup is favorable this week, as the Dolphins have had trouble stopping elite receivers. They are 30th in aFPA to wide receivers in 2016.
Even though the Jets offense continues to be average at best, Marshall is still capable of big game and you could see that in Week 9. Start him in all leagues as a solid WR1.
Week 8 at Cleveland
Even though Brandon Marshall was targeted eight times last week, he only caught three passes (which is the fourth time he has done that this season). It's been a roller coaster year, but Marshall still possesses the ability to have big games at anytime.
Last year, Marshall had six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland. The Browns defense is dead-last in aFPA to wide receivers, so we are expecting a big game from the veteran wide receiver.
Start Marshall in all leagues and formats as a top-5 fantasy receiver.
Week 7 vs Baltimore
After three straight weeks of double digit targets, Brandon Marshall only saw six balls come his way last week (which resulted in three receptions for 70 yards). The veteran also failed to reach the end zone for the first time in three games.
Marshall has a great matchup this week, as he faces a Ravens defense that is 28th in aFPA to wide receivers this season. Marshall is always a threat, even against the better defenses, but it will be interesting to see how many times new starting QB Geno Smith will try to get Marshall the ball.
Start Marshall as a solid WR1 for Week 7.
Week 6 at Arizona
With Eric Decker out for the season, the spotlight shines even brighter on Brandon Marshall. The veteran had eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown last week, and it was the second straight week he reached the end zone. Marshall remains a top-tier receiver who is capable of breaking out every week.
Marshall has a decent matchup this week against Arizona, who is 24th in aFPA to wide receivers. Although we know Marshall can have a big game any week, the worry is more on QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and his weekly performance. Marshall is a definite start against Arizona as a low-end WR1. If Fitzpatrick starts playing better like he did against Pittsburgh, Marshall's stock will rise.
Week 5 at Pittsburgh
Week 4 vs Seattle
The Jets passing game as a mess last week, and Brandon Marshall's numbers were a victim. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 6 INTs, and even though Marshall was targeted a season-high 10 times last Sunday, he caught only three passes. He also has been held without a touchdown the first three games. Another factor might be Marshall's health. Although he practiced this week and will play, he has a foot and knee issue that is keeping him from being 100 percent.
It might not get any better this week. Marshall faces Seattle who is No. 1 in aFPA to wide receivers. CB Richard Sherman will be ready for Marshall.
The Jets will try to bounce back, but the matchup pushes Marshall down the rankings to a high-end WR3 or flex for Week 4.
Week 3 at Kansas City
Brandon Marshall had a nice bounce back after a tough Week 1. The veteran receiver caught six passes for 101 yards last Thursday, but still is looking for his first touchdown of the season. It seems that QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is targeting all three wide receivers equally and sharing the wealth. Although eventually we think Marshall will have one of those monster games, the balanced receiving attack actually hurts the Jets No. 1 guy.
The Chiefs start the season as the worst team in the NFL in aFPA to wide receivers. But don't be fooled by that stat. KC has a pretty good defense especially at home. Marshall is not 100% healthy as his knee is still bothering him but he will play Sunday.
Start Marshall as solid WR2 for Week 3. The way Fitzpatrick is using all his wide receiver decreases Marshall's value a little so we will see if that changes in the upcoming weeks.
Week 2 at Buffalo
Brandon Marshall was one of the Week 1 busts with just three catches for 32 yards. If you go back to last season, it would have been his second-worst performance with the other being in Week 10 vs Buffalo (3 catches for 23 yards). The frustrating part for Marshall owners is the Jets had two touchdowns thrown to wide receivers (Decker, Enunwa), but none to No. 15. Don't get too down after just one game. We expect this to be the low point of Marshall's fantasy season.
As we said, the worst performance last year was against the Bills, but in Week 17, Marshall caught eight passes for 126 yards and touchdown in Buffalo. So, there is a good chance he can repeat that performance.
Buffalo has not been great against wide receivers, so the advantage is in Marshall's favor for Thursday night. The Jets will find a way to get the ball to their No. 1 guy, so start Marshall in all leagues and formats as a solid WR1.
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati
Coming off his worst season since he was a rookie, Brandon Marshall found a new home in New York and made the Jets a very happy team. He caught 109 passes for 1,502 yards and a career-high 14 touchdowns. Marshall had to be happy the Jets re-signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, because he got the veteran the ball - a lot.
The Jets will face a Cincinnati defense in the opener that was very good against the pass in 2015. They were 8th in aFPA to wide receivers. That matchup pushes Marshall to a rare spot as a high-end WR2. He is capable of having a big game to start the season, but there are other receivers with more favorable matchups who should put up better numbers.
