Week 5 at Cincinnati Bengals
The Dolphins had the most predictable of blowout losses in Week 4, and Miami has a bottom-seven implied team total in Week 5 of just 21.25 points. Here's the problem for Danny Amendola and the rest of the Dolphins receivers: this team only has 99 total targets on the season. No receiver is even averaging five targets per game. Hard pass on these options if you're looking for a sleeper WR for Week 5. You know what's worse than a running back by commitee for fantasy? A wide receiver by commitee.
Week 4 at Tennessee Titans
With the Patriots ranked only 23rd in aFPA to WRs and an above-average total of 48.5 points, there are reasons to like Dolphins receivers in Week 4. However, this continues to be a committee, as Ryan Tannehill is spreading the ball around. That means low-percentage splash plays or touchdowns are essential to prove valuable in starting lineups. The large target hole left by Jarvis Landry is not going to any one particular receiver. Through three weeks, five different Dolphins have double-digit targets and none have more than 14 (Jakeem Grant). DeVante Parker was also added back to the mix last week but only for three targets. It's just hard to rely on any Dolphins pass-catcher week in and week out, as Adam Gase appears to be deploying them with game-specific strategies in mind.
Week 3 at Miami Dolphins
The Raiders defense has started top-15 in PPR points allowed to WRs. Danny Amendola is second behind Kenny Stills in WR snaps on this team, but he has fewer than 40 yards the first two weeks. That's not a recipe for fantasy success. This is a wide receiver by committee situation in Miami.
Week 2 at New York Jets
DeVante Parker was a full participant in Thursday's practice (finger injury). He looks to be returning this week for this offense, which could further cut into Danny Amendola's already pedestrian Week 1 targets (6). There's just not enough to go around to make Amendola a fantasy option in Week 2.
Week 1 vs. Tennessee Titans
The Dolphins have a bottom half of the league implied team total in Vegas this week of just 21.75 points and are home underdogs, which could lead to negative game script and more targets for Danny Amendola, who the Dolphins are convinced will take Jarvis Landry's role in the slot. Plus, DeVante Parker is out. The Titans were also just league average in aFPA to WRs last season. Keep an eye on Amendola's usage this week, but don't consider him for starting lineups.
Fantasy Upside
Danny Amendola will get a chance to fill the slot role left by Jarvis Landry this season in Miami. Overall, the Dolphins have a large void of targets from last year's roster—290 are missing. Only the Ravens have more vacant targets from a season ago. If Amendola wins the slot role, it's one that garnered more than 10 targets per game last season.
Fantasy Downside
The Dolphins also signed Albert Wilson to compete for the slot role in Miami. That could eat into Amendola's target share. There's also the issue of Amendola's health—he has missed 33 games in his career for various injuries.
2018 Bottom Line
There are far better late-round WR deep sleeper options than Danny Amendola in drafts this season, but that status of this slot receiver competition in Miami should be monitored for those in deeper leagues.
Super Bowl vs. Philadelphia Eagles
What matters in this different one-game format is not so much how many points we project each player for but how much each player costs per point. In FanDuel's half-point PPR format, here's how we value the wide receivers in terms of dollar/FanDuel point: Brandin Cooks>Alshon Jeffery>Nelson Agholor>Danny Amendola>Torrey Smith>Chris Hogan>Mack Hollins>Phillip Dorsett.
As for DraftKings' full PPR scoring, here's how we value the receivers in terms of dollar/DraftKings point: Brandin Cooks>Nelson Agholor>Alshon Jeffery>Danny Amendola>Torrey Smith>Chris Hogan>Mack Hollins>Phillip Dorsett.
AFC Conference Championship vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
There is some mystery to how healthy Tom Brady is going into the conference championship game because of an apparent injury to his right hand. Reports out of New England range from Brady is okay to it will affect him slightly. Plus, the matchup is not a great one against Jacksonville's elite corners. Chalk Amendola's big game last week to being matchup based against a much worse Titans passing defense and consider him as nothing more than a contrarian play again this week in DFS.
Divisional Round vs. Tennessee Titans
The Patriots have the highest implied team total as 14-point home favorites in Vegas this week, and that total is a fantasy juicy 31 points. This is also a pass funnel defense as the Titans run defense finished fourth in the NFL. The Titans are just 20th in aFPA to WRs. The return of Chris Hogan renders Danny Amendola a poor option in fantasy this week.
Week 17 vs. New York Jets
The Patriots are still playing for home-field advantage this week, which makes their starters viable in fantasy for Week 17. The Patriots also have the highest implied team total in Vegas this week at 29 points. The Jets are just 26th in aFPA to WRs. However, Amendola just isn't getting the target share needed to make him a viable fantasy starter. That includes Week 17. Bench him.
