Week 11 at Carolina
Despite an offensive explosion last week for the Redskins, DeSean Jackson had just two catches for 44 yards. He was targeted five times. There was a chance Jackson was going to be used more last week in a great matchup, but he was actually targeted one fewer time than Week 9. This week, it's a tough matchup for Jackson and his ranking takes a hit, coming in at 37th, thus making him more of a low-end WR3 or high-end WR4. On top of that, it's a tough matchup against the Panthers who are fourth in allowing fantasy points to WRs. At this point, it's still best to take a wait-and-see approach with Jackson.
Week 10 vs New Orleans
Playing in his first game since Week 1, DeSean Jackson caught just three balls for 15 yards. He wasn't happy about his lack of production and the hope for owners is he improves this week. It's a great matchup as the Saints are just 27th in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Still, Jackson is a risk until we see more and we often recommend taking a wait-and-see approach with players in Jackson's situation. Despite the great matchup, Jackson is just a lower-end WR3 option this week because of all the risks.
Week 9 at New England
DeSean Jackson makes his return this week and is ranked 32nd on our WR list. Kirk Cousins seems to have made some progress over the last few weeks and the hope is adding Jackson to the offense will only help. Jackson can makes a fantasy owner's week with just one long TD catch, but he can also throw out a clunker at any time. He's ranked as a WR3 this week which is a pretty safe spot to play him. Coming off an injury, it's probably better to wait-and-see with a guy like Jackson, but his big play potential always makes it tempting for lineups. Start him with caution.
Week 1 vs Miami
DeSean Jackson enters his second season with Washington, again thrown in the middle of QB instability. Kirk Cousins was named the surprise starter for Week 1, but the good news for Jackson owners is his 2014 numbers were more or less the same regardless of who was under center.
Jackson is a home-run hitter, and that often makes or breaks his fantasy production. This week, he has a pretty good matchup against the Dolphins as they are ranked just 23rd in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Jackson is 19th our on our WR list so he's a decent WR2 option in any format.
Fantasy Upside
When it comes to speed and big plays, there’s no doubting DeSean Jackson’s potential. Even with Washington last year, he proved he’s still a deep ball threat - and no matter who the QB was week-to-week, Jackson was able to stretch the field for a big play that often made a fantasy player’s day. This year, QB Robert Griffin III has at least had some positive reports early on in OTAs that should have Jackson owners optimistic there can be some stability at that position. Stability at QB should only help the Washington WR position. Even with Pierre Garcon around, Jackson seemed to quickly climb to the team’s WR1 slot.
Fantasy Downside
Jackson comes with some negatives, though. He hasn’t been the most consistent fantasy player when it comes to plugging and playing him every week. He can put up a big week but can also string together some clunkers. We had a recent news report about Jackson’s reality TV show that didn’t paint him in the best light – that he’s often lost without his father and eluded that he can get himself in trouble off the field, which seems to be the reason the Eagles released him.
Bottom Line
There’s no doubting Jackson’s ability, and it takes just one big play to put him in double-digit fantasy points for the week. He’s ranked 16th among our WRs this season, however his ADP is the seventh round compared to those around him who fall in the fourth or fifth round. Jackson in the seventh round is obviously better than Jackson in the fourth, so if he slips that far, he becomes a more attractive draft pick. Based on our ranking, we do believe in his ability, so the later you can get him, the bigger value he should be. But be prepared for some weeks of low, single-digit points.
Week 17 - Jackson vs. Dallas
DeSean Jackson burned his former team again, catching just four balls but turning it into 126 receiving yards. Jackson saw a lot of time against Eagles corner Bradley Fletcher who was coming off a game where he got torched against Dez Bryant.
This week, Jackson gets the Cowboys, ranked among the top teams in allowing fantasy points to WRs. While it's not a good matchup, Jackson put up a line of 6-136-0 back in Week 8 at Dallas when these two teams faced off for the first time. Jackson is a higher-end WR3 option who may even see some time against Dallas backups this week.
Week 16 - Jackson vs. Philly
DeSean Jackson had just three catches for 15 yards last week with Robert Griffin III back under center but was limited in practice all week with a bad shin. This week, Jackson is set to host his former team. The last time the teams met was Week 3 and Jackson went off for 5-117-1 with Kirk Cousins under center. Despite a real nice matchup, Jackson and his bum shin are only ranked as a low-end WR3 this week.
Week 14 - Jackson vs. St. Louis
DeSean Jackson caught five balls for 84 yards and a TD last week despite suffering from a bruised leg in Week 12 against the 49ers.
It was a tough matchup on paper for Jackson but the Skins played catch-up much of this contest which led to a nice day for Jackson owners. Jackson has performed pretty well with QB Colt McCoy under center this year, including a 6-136 line in Week 8 against Dallas. This week's game presents a friendly matchup on paper as the Rams are 27th in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Jackson is ranked just 25th on our list this week making him a WR3 option. It's really hard to trust him as more than that nursing an injury, especially after he didn't put up even average fantasy numbers in Weeks 11 and 12.
Week 12 - Jackson vs. San Francisco
It was a disappointing game for DeSean Jackson owners last week as the burner finished with just a line of 4-35 on six targets. It ended a streak of four games over five weeks with over 100 yards receiving and three TDs over that span.
He was probably due for a dud of a game, if you believe in that theory, but Jackson has always been boom or bust. This week, it may be more bust as the Skins travel to San Francisco. The Niners are 15th in allowing fantasy points to WRs, which could be a point of attack for Washington since the 49ers are so tough against the run. Jackson is a low-end WR2 this week in our rankings, and while it's tough to sit him based on recent success, if you have a better option you may want to consider it.
Week 11 - Jackson vs. Tampa Bay
DeSean Jackson continued his hot streak when the Skins last played back in Week 9. Four of his last five weeks, and six of his last eight weeks, have resulted in over 100 yards receiving and a TD. Last week he had a line of 4-120-1 on seven targets, so the Skins are making use of Jackson in the deep passing game - which he excels at.
This week, it's a great matchup, and as a result, Jackson ranks 11th on our WR list - probably about as high as you'll ever see him. Tampa Bay ranks 32nd in allowing fantasy points to WRs so Jackson needs to be in lineups despite his boom or bust status as a fantasy WR.
