Week 3 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Devin Funchess was second on the team behind Christian McCaffrey last week with nine targets, catching seven of them for 77 yards. There are more mouths to feed in the Panthers' receiving corps this year than there were in 2017, making it hard for Funchess to remain the top option.
This week, Funchess will face an average Bengals secondary that has given up a touchdown to the wide receiver position in each of their first two games. They have also allowed 695 passing yards so far this season, albeit many of them in garbage time to the Ravens last week. Funchess should continue to get targets, giving him a high floor. He should be active as a solid WR3 or flex option this week.
Week 2 at Atlanta Falcons
Devin Funchess gained 41 yards on three receptions last week against a surprisingly stingy Cowboys pass defense. Funchess was targeted five times—a number that should increase in games where the Panthers are forced to throw the ball more frequently. The Dallas offense looked pitiful.
This week, Funchess will face a Falcons defense that held the Eagles passing game in check last week but lost two of their best defenders to season-ending injuries. Funchess is still risky because of the additional options available and the inconsistency of the Panthers passing offense, but he has some WR3 potential in deeper leagues.
Week 1 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Devin Funchess had a breakout year in 2017, finishing with 63 catches for 840 yards and a team-leading 8 touchdown receptions. Funchess enters the season first on the depth chart, but he has more competition than he did a year ago. A healthy Greg Olsen and the arrival of veteran Torrey Smith and rookie first-round-pick D.J. Moore might put a dent in his targets.
This week, Funchess has some upside against a Cowboys defense that allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing receivers in 2017. However, we have him ranked as a low-end WR3 option in most leagues due to the increased competition for targets and the uncertainty surrounding his status as the top receiver on his team. If possible, we recommend a wait-and-see approach to inserting Funchess in lineups.
Fantasy Upside
Devin Funchess finally showed signs of being a fantasy stud last year, finishing the season with career-highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns. With the Panthers trading away Kelvin Benjamin during the season, and Greg Olsen missing most of the year with a foot injury, Funchess racked up 113 targets—he caught 63 of those targets for 840 yards and 8 touchdowns. Funchess is only 24 and has the size Cam Newton likes in a go-to target.
Fantasy Downside
Funchess may find it hard to see another 113 targets with Olsen healthy again and first-round pick D.J. Moore entering the lineup. Additionally, the return of Curtis Samuel to the active roster after spending most of his rookie season injured last year could cut into Funchess’ workload. Funchess also looks best suited in a No. 2 WR role on the team, which might be why the team targeted the position early in the draft.
2018 Bottom Line
Funchess should be a borderline WR2/WR3 most weeks throughout the season, making him a solid guy to have on your bench. His size should continue to work to his benefit in the red zone, and it’s possible less attention from opposing defensive backs due to the increased number of weapons in Carolina allows him to more easily replicate his breakout numbers from last year. His eighth-round ADP in 12-team leagues is about right.
Wild Card Round at New Orleans Saints
Devin Funchess has been nursing a shoulder issue, but he scored a touchdown last week and remains the top receiving option outside the hashes for the Panthers. Funchess scored a touchdown the last time he faced the Saints, and the Panthers will need him on the road against a tough defense.
The Saints were very average against the wide receiver position this year, and above-average in total defense, so it’s not a great matchup for Funchess. Additionally, he’ll probably draw Marshon Lattimore in coverage, a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Still, the targets Funchess should get and the limited number of legit receiving options available in the Wild Card Round makes Funchess a borderline top-five starter in all league formats.
Week 17 at Atlanta Falcons
Devin Funchess has had a rough couple of weeks as he battles a shoulder injury. While he’s been targeted 8 times over his past two games, he’s only gained 30 total yards on 4 receptions. Prior to this skid, Funchess had 4 touchdowns in as many games and he remains the top wide receiver in the Panthers offense.
This week Funchess could rebound against the Falcons. The Panthers will be motivated as they seek a first-round bye and try to knock Atlanta out of the playoffs. Funchess caught 5 passes for 86 yards the last time he faced the Falcons, and he should be heavily targeted this week.
Week 16 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin Funchess struggled against the Packers last week and is dealing with a nagging shoulder injury. He caught only 1-of-4 passes thrown his way and finished with 19 yards. Funchess has been pretty steady for much of the season, however, and he has a touchdown in two of his last three games.
This week, Funchess should rebound against a Bucs defense that has allowed the most fantasy points in the NFL to the wide receiver position this season. Funchess should continue to be heavily targeted and provides quality WR2 value in all fantasy league formats.
Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers
Devin Funchess had only 3 catches last week against the Vikings, but finished with 59 yards and a touchdown. He’s been targeted at least 6 times in all but one game this year, and he has at least one touchdown in three of his last four games. Funchess is enjoying a breakout season as the top option outside for Cam Newton.
This week, Funchess faces a Packers defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this year. He should be heavily targeted again in a game that could wind up being a shootout. We have him ranked as a top-ten option in all league formats.
Week 14 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Devin Funchess had a nice day against the Saints last week, catching 4 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. He’s been heavily active in the passing game, with at least 6 targets in every game other than Week 1 this year. Funchess is in the middle of a breakout season with 54 catches, 703 yards, and 6 touchdowns. He previously had 54 receptions total in his first two years.
The Vikings have only allowed 12 passing touchdowns all season, but 8 of those have gone to opposing wide receivers, and with the volume of targets Funchess is likely to get, he should be a high-floor WR2 option in most leagues.
Week 13 at New Orleans Saints
Devin Funchess had 7 catches for 108 yards against the Jets last week, and he’s taken a big step forward as the primary receiving threat for the Panthers. He’s averaging 7.5 targets per game this season and has 5 touchdowns.
This week, Funchess faces a Saints team that has been surprisingly good on defense, but has some injury issues in the secondary. Expect Funchess to get plenty of targets, and to be a high-floor fantasy option in all league formats as a result. We have him ranked as a borderline-WR1 option, assuming his toe doesn’t limit him.
