Week 10 at Arizona Cardinals
D.J. Moore has struggled along with the rest of the Panthers offense the last two weeks, and he had just 32 yards on three receptions against the Patriots last Sunday. He added 14 yards on the ground and was targeted seven times on the day, but quarterback Sam Darnold has done nothing to inspire confidence moving forward, and P.J. Walker is still - at best - an unknown.
This week, Moore faces a Cardinals defense that ranks 14th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. While Moore’s target share and talent are both encouraging, until the Panthers have some solid quarterback play, it’s hard to bank on Moore as a legit WR1. We have him ranked as a low-end WR2 option this week, which is likely where he’ll stay until the Panthers figure out their passing woes.
Week 9 vs. New England Patriots
D.J. Moore had eight targets last week, but only caught four of them for 59 yards. Moore hasn’t found the end zone since Week 4 against the Cowboys, but he’s had at least seven targets in every game and should continue to be the primary focal point of the passing game in Carolina.
This week, Moore faces a Patriots defense that ranks 11th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. It’s a tough matchup and this offense leaves a lot to be desired, but with the targets he gets as the main cog of the offense, he should still be active in all formats. We have him ranked as a borderline top-10 option this week.
Week 8 at Atlanta Falcons
D.J. Moore caught six balls on 10 targets last week, gaining 73 yards in a lopsided loss to the Giants. Moore is heavily targeted and clearly talented, but he hasn’t scored a touchdown or eclipsed 100 yards in any of his last three games, despite pretty good matchups. The Panthers are trending in the wrong direction offensively.
This week, Moore should have a high floor and a pretty high ceiling against a Falcons defense that ranks 26th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. His targets and a great matchup should equal top fantasy output, and we have him ranked as a solid WR1 option this week. Start him.
Week 7 at New York Giants
D.J. Moore had five catches for 73 yards last week, along with a rush for an additional six yards. Moore led the team with 13 targets and he’s clearly the best fantasy option in the Carolina passing attack.
This week, Moore faces a struggling Giants defense that ranks 26th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Cooper Kupp just ate this secondary alive and Moore should have no trouble turning targets into production in this matchup. We have him just outside our top-five receivers this week and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 6 vs. Minnesota Vikings
D.J. Moore struggled along with the rest of the Panthers' offense last week in a loss to the Eagles, catching five of seven targets for just 42 yards. It was the first game of the season where Moore scored single-digit fantasy points. The good news is his seven targets were his low on the season, so his production should return to normal.
This week, Moore faces a Vikings defense that ranks 14th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. The Vikings struggled the first three games and then bottled up the Browns and Lions the last two weeks, so we’ll see how good they are against Moore and the Panthers. Moore is emerging as an elite receiver, and we have him as a top-10 fantasy option in all formats. Start him.
Week 5 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
D.J. Moore had a great game last week, with eight catches for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Both touchdowns came when the game was already out of reach for the Panthers, but it was good to see him lead the team again with 12 targets. Moore is taking that step fantasy managers have been hoping for over the last couple of years, and his trips to the end zone are a big reason why. His three touchdowns this season are just one shy of the most he’s ever had in a single season.
This week, Moore faces an Eagles defense that ranks seventh in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. However, they just gave up three touchdowns to Tyreek Hill, and Moore’s target share makes him worth starting as an elite option. Moore should be active regardless of matchup, and we have him ranked as a top-five option this week.
Week 4 at Dallas Cowboys
D.J. Moore soaked up 12 targets last week against the Texans, catching eight of them for 126 receiving yards. Moore seems like the go-to option for new quarterback Sam Darnold with 31 targets through three games. It’s early, but he’s on pace for a career year, and his 22 receptions are already a third of what he caught all last season.
This week, Moore faces a Cowboys defense that ranks 13th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. He’ll also likely line up across from Trevon Diggs, who is tied with Marshon Lattimore as PFF’s highest-graded cover corner this season. Still, the Cowboys should force the Panthers to throw the ball to keep up with their high-powered offense, and Moore’s targets have been so good, we have him ranked as a fringe WR1. He should be active in all leagues.
Week 3 at Houston Texans
D.J. Moore found the end zone! It’s a rarity, but he had 79 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions last week against the Saints. Moore was also targeted a team-high 11 times and is clearly the favorite target for quarterback Sam Darnold. If the Panthers can be more productive in the red zone, Moore’s value could explode, and he’s off to a good start for the season.
This week, Moore faces a Texans defense that held the Browns’ wide receivers in check last week but gave up double-digit PPR points to all three Jaguars wide receivers in Week 1 – albeit in garbage time. Moore has a lot of upside in this offense and should be considered a viable WR2 option every week.
Week 2 vs. New Orleans Saints
D.J. Moore had a modest, but nice start to the season with six catches for 80 yards on eight targets. He’s settled into the WR1 role nicely over his young career and his connection with new quarterback Sam Darnold seems strong. Hopefully, he can find the end zone a little more frequently this season, but so far, no dice.
It’ll be a tough matchup for Moore this week, with the Saints completely shutting down the Packers in Week 1 and ranking 13th in aFPA to opposing wide receivers a year ago. Temper expectations for him, but he should still get plenty of targets and be worth considering as a low-end WR2 option as the primary outside threat in this offense.
Week 1 vs. New York Jets
D.J. Moore had an impressive 18.1 yards-per-reception last season on 66 catches, but he once again failed to eclipse four touchdowns. Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, he just needs to find the end zone more frequently to catapult into steady WR1 potential.
This week, he has upside against last year’s 18th-ranked defense in aFPA to opposing wide receivers. Quarterback Sam Darnold will be motivated to show up his former Jets squad, and the receivers in Carolina should benefit. We have Moore ranked as a WR2 in all league formats, and fantasy managers start him in Week 1.
