Week 9 - Jackson vs. Minnesota
DeSean Jackson had another big game, catching six balls for 136 yards on seven targets. It was his fourth 100-plus yard game this season for the big play wide receiver.
It hasn't mattered too much who is under center, Jackson has been pretty good this year, but especially so his last four weeks where he's posted three 100-plus yard games and collected two TDs. He's put up 457 receiving yards in the same span on just 17 catches. That's an average of 26.9 yards per catch. He comes in ranked as a WR2 this week in a tough matchup against the Vikings who are ninth in allowing fantasy points to WRs. He's had some big games against tougher defenses, however. The big play potential is worthy of fantasy lineups especially if you can use him as a WR3.
Week 8 - Jackson vs. Dallas
After two huge weeks, DeSean Jackson was quiet last week catching just three balls for 49 yards on five targets.
His past two games Jackson had eight catches for 272 yards and two TDs, so owners took a bit of a hit in what was a decent matchup. With Colt McCoy likely under center this week, and the Cowboys ranked 5th in allowing fantasy points to WRs, Jackson is a bit of a risk this week, falling to WR range at best in a Monday night matchup on the road.
Week 7 - Jackson vs. Tennessee
DeSean Jackson had another big game last week, this time against the Cards. He finished with three catches for 115 yards and a TD. He was targeted five times.
In his last two games he's caught eight balls for 272 yards and two TDs, so he's been on a bit of a roll. This week's matchup isn't a bad one and Jackson comes in ranked 20th on our list making him a low-end WR2 option in 10-team leagues. There is always a risk of a one-catch game with Jackson, but he's also a play away from getting you double-digit fantasy points in the blink of an eye.
Week 6 - Jackson vs. Arizona
DeSean Jackson had a monster game in a loss to Seattle last week, catching five balls for 157 yards and a TD on 11 targets. One of the catches was a 60-yard TD pass.
Jackson has been more of a boom or bust WR this year which has been typical of him in terms of fantasy production (outside of last year with Chip Kelly where he was fairly consistent week-to-week). This week's matchup is a good one on paper as the Cards rank just 31st in allowing fantasy points to WRs. It will help if Patrick Peterson isn't on Jackson this week, but there's a good chance the Cards will want to take away Jackson's big-play potential. That could leave Garcon in position to put up better numbers. Jackson ranks as a middle of the road WR3 this week in typical leagues.
Week 5 - Jackson vs. Seattle
After busting out against the Eagles in Week 3, Jackson caught just one ball for nine yards on four targets in an ugly loss in Week 4.
To make things worse, Jackson gets Seattle this week, ranked second in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Either Jackson or Pierre Garcon will get Richard Sherman and probably be taken out of the game for the most part. That could be Jackson who often lines up on Sherman's customary side. Jackson is way down our WR list, and outside of his big numbers against a porous Eagles defense, he hasn't shown much this year. Jackson is a boom or bust play each week.
Week 4 - Jackson vs. NY Giants
DeSean Jackson predictably had his bust-out game for the Redskins against his former team last week. He caught five balls for 117 yards and a TD on 11 targets and his shoulder injury didn't seem to be much of an issue. The TD was an 81-yard catch where he used his speed to blow by the Eagles secondary.
This week, Jackson gets the Giants who rank 23rd in allowing fantasy points to WRs. The Giants have had mixed results over the years when defending DJax, but either way he's a solid WR3 play this week for the Thursday night game. Jackson is one play away every week from putting up huge fantasy numbers, but also comes with bust potential and has been known to take plays off.
Week 3 - Jackson vs. Philadelphia
DeSean Jackson had just one catch for 19 yards last before hurting his shoulder and not returning last week.
Jackson takes on his former team this week in a game he wouldn't miss, and as a result very well may not be 100-percent coming into this one. It's a very friendly matchup for Jackson and the passing game, and we have him ranked 25th on our list among WRs for Week 3. We've yet to see a whole lot from Jackson but we think he's still a decent WR3 option coming into this one. Just monitor his status leading up to the game.
Week 2 vs. Jaguars
DeSean Jackson was targeted 9 times and finished with 8 catches for 62 yards last week.
Obviously just about all of his catches were short completions, but owners of Jackson expect big plays. Houston's defense didn't allow for that, and with QB Robert Griffin III struggling, Jackson was held in check for the most part as was the rest of the offense.
This week he ranks as a low-end WR2 despite a good matchup against the Jags at home. Jacksonville ranks 22nd in allowing fantasy points to WRs but owners may have to temper expectations until we start to see a little more from this offense. This will be a good week to get a better idea of what this team's about. After Week 3, things will get a little tougher with matchups vs. the Giants, Seahawks and Tennessee's defense - all are top-three in terms of allowing points to WRs.
Week 1 vs Texans
DeSean Jackson makes his debut as one of the game's better deep threats. But he gets a tough opening-week ranking coming in at 33rd on our WR list. It's a tough first matchup against the Texans who ranked 11th in allowing fantasy points to WRs. Factor in the struggles of QB Robert Griffin III and perhaps it's best to go another direction before putting Jackson in your lineup. He's a boom or bust play most week.
FANTASY UPSIDE
Perhaps there is no WR in the league with the speed of DeSean Jackson. Last year, he had his best season in the league coming under Chip Kelly, catching 82 balls for 1,332 yards and nine TDs. From a fantasy standpoint, he was fairly consistent, something he could never really accomplish under Andy Reid. He’s also an electric punt returner and could even run a reverse. He shouldn’t see much of a change between Nick Foles and Robert Griffin III getting him the ball as both are capable signal callers.
FANTASY DOWNSIDE
Jackson is your typical WR diva. He can be known for shutting down and taking plays, or even games, off. Despite his best season, he butted heads with Kelly who in the end refused to tolerate him. Now in Washington, one can argue he’ll have to compete for targets with more quality players than he did in Philly. As a result, we think his production drops a bit.
Bottom Line
I’ve watched Jackson for a lot of years and I honestly can say he’s not really a player I would target for my team, not because I’m a bitter Eagles fan, but mostly because of consistency. He’s been boom or bust a lot of his career. I think his ranking of 22nd among our WRs is fair, which makes him a very high-end WR3 in 10 and 12 team leagues - which I could live with him in that capacity. With an ADP of the early sixth round, he’s lumped in with Mike Wallace, T.Y. Hilton and Marques Colston as potential other options.
