Week 12 at New York Jets
Devin Funchess had a great game against the Dolphins before the bye last week, catching 5 passes for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Funchess is averaging 7.1 targets per game this year, and while he’s yet to eclipse 100 yards in a single game, he should remain the primary outside target for the Panthers.
The Jets have been very average in general on defense this season, but they have allowed 11 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers. Funchess should be heavily targeted, even with the likely return of Greg Olsen to the lineup. He should be considered a solid WR2 option in all league formats, with considerable upside in a good matchup.
Week 10 vs. Miami Dolphins
Devin Funchess should be the main guy in Carolina following the trade of Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills. He’s already been acting as the primary target for much of the season, averaging 7.2 targets per game, and he hasn’t been targeted less than 6 times since Week 1. Funchess had 5 catches for 86 yards last week, and he has shown significant improvement in all aspects of his game this year.
This week, Funchess faces a Dolphins pass defense that has been very average this season. They rank 15th in passing touchdowns allowed and 14th in passing yards allowed per game. Funchess is a high-floor player with a large target share, and he should be good for WR2 numbers this week in all league formats.
Week 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Devin Funchess only caught 2 passes for 11 yards last week against the Bucs, but he was targeted 6 times on the day, and he is now the WR1 on the team after the Panthers traded Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills before the Tuesday trade deadline.
Funchess will face a Falcons defense ranked 14th in passing yards allowed per game and is pretty average across the board defensively. Regardless of the matchup, Funchess has WR2 potential each week with Benjamin out of the picture. Fantasy owners should grab him and use him in all league formats.
Week 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devin Funchess had 4 catches for 41 yards last week against the Bears as the Panthers struggled to move the ball. He was targeted 8 times, however, and he has been targeted at least that many times in five straight games. Funchess looks light years ahead of where he was his first two seasons and is worth a roster spot in all league formats.
This week, Funchess has WR2 upside against a Bucs defense that has allowed more fantasy points per game to the WR position than any other team this year. While he’s not a consistent option by any means, the matchup says he’s worth a gamble if you need some bye week relief.
Week 7 at Chicago Bears
Devin Funchess had a disappointing game against the Eagles, catching only 3 passes for 36 yards. However, he was targeted 9 times and was still an active part of the offense, making it likely that his increased role and value over the past four games should continue, at least to some extent.
This week, Funchess faces a Bears defense that has been very average against the pass, but 6-of-8 touchdown passes they’ve allowed this year have been to opposing WRs. He should be considered a fringe WR2/WR3 option in most leagues due to his heavy volume over the past few games.
Week 6 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Devin Funchess is averaging 5.5 catches, 63.25 yards, and 0.75 touchdowns over his past four games, and has 7 receptions in each of his past two games. He had 53 yards and a touchdown against the Lions last week and looks like he’s taken a leap in his third season.
This week he faces an Eagles pass defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing WR. He should benefit from continued improvement throughout the Carolina offense. He may be a bit touchdown dependent, but could be worth considering as a low-end WR2 in this matchup.
Week 5 at Detroit Lions
Devin Funchess caught 7-of-9 balls thrown his way last week against the Patriots for 70 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He has now been targeted 19 times over his last two games and looks to have taken a step forward in his third season.
It’s hard to trust Funchess, especially against a Lions pass defense that has given up only 4 touchdown passes all season, but he’s definitely worth rostering given his recent production, and he should be considered a low-end WR3 option in most leagues this week given the volume of targets he’s been receiving since Greg Olsen was hurt in Week 2.
Week 4 at New England Patriots
Devin Funchess has 8 receptions and 16 targets over the past two games. While his 126 yards over that span doesn’t pop out, the increased usage in the passing game is encouraging. Funchess may stand to benefit from additional targets after the Greg Olsen injury from Week 2 and with Kelvin Benjamin on and off the field with nagging injuries.
This week, Funchess has some deep, deep sleeper potential against a Patriots team that has allowed 8 touchdown passes this season and the most passing yards to opposing offenses in the league. Don’t sit a more reliable option for him, but if you’re desperate, Funchess could benefit from additional looks against a vulnerable defense.
Week 3 vs. New Orleans Saints
Devin Funchess is third on the team with 8 targets through the first two games, and he had 4 catches for 68 yards against the Bills last week. Funchess has some upside this week against a Saints team that has allowed 6 passing touchdowns through two games this season, but his inconsistency and lack of production as a starter make it difficult to trust him. Fantasy owners looking for a diamond in the rough might consider him, but in most leagues, he’s probably better off left on waivers.
Fantasy Upside
Devin Funchess has the size and talent to develop into a solid outside possession receiver, but he’s yet to establish himself in his first two years in the league. He actually was less productive last year—along with the rest of the Panther offense—than he was as a rookie, catching only 23 passes for 371 yards and 4 touchdowns. However, his nine total touchdowns in his first two seasons make him an interesting red zone option for quarterback Cam Newton, and he’ll enter the season with a starting job opposite Kelvin Benjamin, giving him some upside.
Fantasy Downside
Funchess’ lack of productivity thus far is concerning, and with an influx of new weapons on offense, including Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel, there may not be enough targets to go around for the third year player out of Michigan. He also duplicates some of Kelvin Benjamin’s skill set, and Greg Olsen will continue to get high target value from the TE position. With free agent acquisition Russell Shepard looming, Funchess will need to show some consistency early on to avoid losing snaps.
2017 Bottom Line
Funchess is a low-end fantasy option and his upside is probably limited to the fourth option in the passing game behind Olsen, Benjamin, and McCaffrey. Even if the Panthers put up big numbers on offense, it’s hard to imagine Funchess being a primary beneficiary. He has some deep league dynasty stash value is worth a late-round flier in deep leagues, but expectations should be low.
