Week 7 at Cincinnati Bengals
The Saints did a good job shutting down the Jaguars offense last Sunday, as Gardner Minshew threw for only 163 yards. In the loss Dede Westbrook saw team-leading targets, resulting in three receptions for 53 yards. Westbrook has recorded at least 50 yards in three straight games but has not found the end zone since Week 1. The Bengals defense hasn’t been able to slow down any of their opponents, especially on the ground. Look for Jacksonville to use a heavy dose of Leonard Fournette, which could limit Westbrook’s output.
Week 6 vs. New Orleans Saints
Gardner Minshew threw for a career-high 374 last week at Carolina, with Dede Westbrook posting season highs in targets (11), grabs (seven) and yards (82). Westbrook has snagged at least five passes in four of the five games in ’19 but has not been in the end zone since Week 1. Facing the No. 19 pass defense at home on Sunday Westbrook should be used as a WR3 play.
Week 5 at Carolina Panthers
With Leonard Fournette running over the Broncos last Sunday Gardner Minshew threw for just over 200 yards. Dede Westbrook was targeted six times and led the Jaguars with five grabs and 66 yards. He has snagged exactly five passes in all but one contest this season but has totaled just 145 yards and no TDs. Westbrook will be facing the top pass defense on the road this week, so he’s a WR3 option at best.
Week 4 at Denver Broncos
In the win over the Titans last Thursday, Dede Westbrook finished with five grabs for 46 yards. He could’ve had a much better performance if it weren’t for three drops, including one in the end zone. Even with Gardner Minshew at QB, Westbrook is getting his looks, but so far, he’s totaled just 11 receptions for a 7.2 yards-per-catch average. The Broncos pass defense is No. 6, so Westbrook makes for no better than a WR3 option.
Week 3 vs. Tennessee Titans
In the close loss at Houston last week, Dede Westbrook was targeted five times but finished with just a three-yard reception. He has totaled only 35 yards in the first two games, as D.J. Chark and Chris Conley have been Jacksonville’s more productive WRs. Tennessee’s defense has been stingy against the pass so far, so don’t expect too much from Westbrook on Thursday night.
Week 2 at Houston Texans
With Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew at QB versus the Chiefs last week, Dede Westbrook was targeted six times, leading to five grabs for 30 yards and a score. While D.J. Chark and Chris Conley posted better numbers, Westbrook is a vital part of the Jacksonville passing attack, especially with the rookie Minshew now at the helm. The Texans allowed 370 yards by Drew Brees their opener, but they’ll be at home on Sunday, which could mean a tough outing for Minshew. Westbrook should be used as a WR3/flex option.
Week 1 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Playing in his first full season in ’18 with Blake Bortles mostly under center, Dede Westbrook broke out for 66 grabs for over 700 yards and five scores. This season he’ll be catching passes from the Jags new QB Nick Foles, which should lead to even better season totals. However, look for Jacksonville to go with a conservative offense in the opener versus an explosive Chiefs offense. Consider Westbrook a WR3 option.
Fantasy Upside
According to Fansided.com's David Levin, despite the Jaguars adding depth at wide receiver and making changes at the tight end position, Dede Westbrook is still the team's top vertical threat. Jacksonville added Chris Conley in free agency, and they're banking on the eventual return of Marqise Lee, but if the Jaguars are going to get better in the passing game, Westbrook is going to be the leader of the pack. Levin believes it's Westbrook's versatility that should have new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo the most optimistic about the upcoming season. The good news, as CBSSports.com noted, DeFilippo actually wants to throw the football. More importantly, new QB Nick Foles is actually capable of doing exactly that. ESPN's Mike Clay notes that Westbrook handled a 22% target share as a rookie and a 21% share in 2018. Overall, he's averaged 6.4 targets per game.
Fantasy Downside
The downside is pretty obvious here: Even with Foles and DeFilippo on board, the Jaguars want to be a run-first, run-heavy offense. That's not going to change significantly even if they're more effective with the passes they do throw.
2019 Bottom Line
So how does all this jive with our ranking just outside the WR3 tier? It's all about the role. As ESPN's Matthew Berry pointed out, over the past two seasons (playoffs included), Foles has completed 70.1 percent of his slot passes with three times as many TDs as interceptions. Berry believes this should bode well for Westbrook, who was fourth in the NFL in targets from the slot last season and eighth in yards from the slot. It's a fair expectation.
Week 17 at Houston Texans
The combination of Cody Kessler and Blake Bortles threw 23 passes last week at Miami. Eight of those attempts went in the direction of Dede Westbrook, leading to team highs of seven reception and 45 yards. He totaled just 17 yards in the first meeting versus the Texans in October and is a risky start in the rematch with Bortles back at QB on the road against a good defense.
Week 16 at Miami Dolphins
Outside of his electrifying 74-yard punt return that accounted for the Jaguars only TD last week versus the Redskins, Dede Westbrook had another forgettable performance. On five targets, he caught three passes for 21 yards, marking the eighth time in the past nine outings he’s failed to reach 50 receiving yards. It doesn’t matter who is at QB for the Jags, the offense just hasn’t been able to move the ball with consistency. For your fantasy playoffs, Westbrook is a risky start.
