Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals
D.J. Moore had nine receptions for 89 yards last week against the Buccaneers and he led the team with 14 targets. Moore hasn’t lit the world on fire, but with double-digit targets in each of his first two games, it’s clear he’s going to be a focal point of the Carolina passing game. Cam Newton’s health is concerning, but with Newton looking off-target and hesitant through two weeks so far, even if the Panthers need to turn to Kyle Allen, Moore should continue getting quality looks.
This week, Moore is a sneaky upside play against a Cardinals defense that’s still missing suspended cornerback Patrick Peterson. Arizona allowed eight catches and 86 yards to Marquise Brown last week and should be a good matchup for Moore. While most will be scared off by the quarterback situation in Carolina – whether Cam misses the game, or plays hurt – Moore should be in for a high floor after another target-heavy game. He’s a borderline WR2 this week.
Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
D.J. Moore had seven catches for 76 yards against the Rams last week in the season opener. He was second on the team with 10 targets, and although he lost a fumble, it was good to see him heavily involved in the passing game. Moore should continue to be featured in the Panthers offense, and Cam Newton seems to trust him.
This week, Moore faces a Buccaneers defense that struggled all last season, but really dominated the 49ers last week. George Kittle led San Francisco with a mere 54 receiving yards. Whether the Tampa defense is truly improved or not may not matter much if Moore continues to get the kind of targets he did to start the season, however, and fantasy owners should consider him a high-end WR2 option in what could be a good matchup.
Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Rams
D.J. Moore’s rookie season would look more impressive had he found the end zone a bit more. For a struggling passing attack, he managed 788 yards on 55 receptions, despite entering the year as the WR2 behind Devin Funchess. With Funchess gone and Cam Newton supposedly healthy to start the year, expectations are high for Moore to build on his rookie campaign, and to especially hit paydirt more than the two times he did as a rookie.
Moore starts his sophomore season against a Rams defense that allowed 31 touchdown passes to opposing teams last year, eighth-most in the league. He should be heavily targeted, and he should have every opportunity to thrive in a nice matchup. Because his production is more speculation than a proven commodity at this point, Moore has an element of risk to him, but we have him as a low-end WR2 and he should have no trouble producing at that level to start the year.
Fantasy Upside
After a slow start to his rookie season, D.J. Moore improved over the second half. Over his final seven games, he was targeted at least seven times in all but one and he had an explosive outing against the Lions on November 11th, with seven catches, 157 yards and a touchdown. Moore finished the season with 788 yards and with Devin Funchess gone to the Colts in free agency, he enters 2019 as the top receiver on the Carolina depth chart. Moore has speed, talent and tremendous upside as a potential WR1 in a Norv Turner offense.
Fantasy Downside
I say Norv Turner offense because he’s always been pretty kind to passers and pass-catchers, but it’s possible that the statement is a little outdated. His recent three-year stint in Minnesota failed to produce a top-ten receiver and his last elite pass-catcher was Josh Gordon with the Browns back in 2013. Also, quarterback Cam Newton is not aging well. He’s been nicked up in each of the past three seasons – although he’s mostly played through his nagging injuries – and had shoulder surgery during the offseason. If this is the year Newton falls apart, it’ll be hard for Moore to have the breakout season everyone expects. Also, Moore only found the end zone twice last year, so all the hype may be a bit premature.
2019 Bottom Line
Moore is a bit of a lottery ticket, but his sixth-round ADP in 12-team leagues makes it hard to pull the trigger on him. Two rounds later he becomes someone with enough upside to warrant the risk, but sixth round makes him a fringe WR2/WR3 on your roster, and that’s expecting a whole lot of progression in his second season for that kind of investment. That being said, Moore does have great upside, and he’s not someone to avoid by any means. Owners just need to know he’s far from a sure thing.
Week 17 at New Orleans Saints
D.J. Moore only had two catches for 19 yards last week against the Falcons. With Cam Newton out for the final two games of the season, Moore is a risky bet, especially facing a Saints team that has one legitimate starting corner who will likely be assigned to Moore. If Marshon Lattimore sits in a game that means very little to the Saints, then Moore should be considered a risky WR3 option, but in most leagues, he’s too risky to trust to finish the season.
Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
D.J. Moore had only two catches for 12 yards last week against the Saints. He also had a 22-yard run, but fumbled badly at the end of it. Moore has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but as the Panthers passing attack has struggled, so has Moore. Cam Newton’s shoulder doesn’t look healthy right now, which may also hurt Moore’s chances for big numbers down the stretch.
This week, Moore has a lot of upside in what should be a good matchup. The Falcons have 28 passing touchdowns this year, although their corners have actually played better than their linebackers and safeties. Regardless, Moore is a boom/bust player with upside in a nice matchup. The bust portion comes largely from the Panthers starting backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke for the final two games of the season.
Week 15 vs. New Orleans Saints
D.J. Moore only gained 67 yards last week against the Browns, but he caught five balls and was targeted eight times. Moore has emerged as the primary target in the passing game, as the Panthers have emphasized speed in their offense with the young trio of Moore, Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel. Moore’s long-term fantasy potential looks great right now.
This week, Moore faces a Saints defense that has allowed the most fantasy points in the league to opposing wide receivers this year. Fantasy owners should be a little wary about a potential matchup with cornerback Marshon Lattimore, but in a game that could be a shootout, he should be considered a potential WR2 in all leagues.
Week 14 at Cleveland Browns
D.J. Moore has had his ups and downs this season, including only gaining 44 yards on four receptions last week against a vulnerable Buccaneers defense. However, Moore has had at least eight targets in three straight games and is starting to emerge as the top receiving option in Carolina. Fantasy owners should add him in all league formats at least as a bench option.
This week, Moore faces a Browns defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this year, including giving up 12 touchdowns to the position. While he may draw some tough coverage against Denzel Ward if he clears concussion protocol, Moore should still provide high upside for fantasy owners willing to take a chance on him. He should be considered a decent WR3 option in most leagues.
Week 13 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
D.J. Moore has stepped up as Devin Funchess has battled injuries, catching 15 passes over the last two weeks for a combined 248 yards and a touchdown. Moore is flashing the ability he showed as the primary target in Maryland and is proving the Panthers were wise to select him in the first round of the draft in April.
This week, Moore has tremendous upside against a Buccaneers team that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this year. Additionally, the Buccaneers have a good enough offense to keep things interesting, opening up the potential for a shootout. We have Moore as a viable WR2 this week, and he’s worth starting in all formats.
Week 12 vs. Seattle Seahawks
D.J. Moore had the best game of his young career against the Lions last week, catching seven balls for 157 yards and a touchdown, including an 82-yard reception in the third quarter that set the Panthers up for a missed field goal. Moore has been flirting with fantasy relevance all season, and it was good to see a glimpse of his future value.
This week, Moore may struggle to follow up his breakout performance against the Seahawks. Seattle has been above average against wide receivers this year and they seem to be getting more and more comfortable each week as they attempt a playoff push to close out the season. Moore has upside, but he’s still too risky to count on as more than a boom-or-bust WR3 option.
