Week 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars (game in London)
Jeremy Maclin has a touchdown in two straight games now, although he only had 31 yards on 4 catches against the Browns last week. Maclin is tied with TE Ben Watson for the team lead in targets (9) through two games; however, and he seems to have the trust of QB Joe Flacco.
The Ravens may not need to pass a lot against the Jaguars this weekend, who got killed by Tennessee last Sunday. Because he’s been so touchdown-dependent thus far, it’s hard to recommend starting Maclin as anything more than a WR3 option in most leagues.
Week 2 vs. Cleveland Browns
It’s good to be excited about Jeremy Maclin scoring a 48-yard touchdown in his first regular season game as a Raven, but don’t forget he caught only 2 passes and was targeted 4 times on the day. The four targets were tied for the team lead and the Ravens will likely continue to try and establish a strong running game moving forward.
This week, Maclin has some upside against the Browns, who allowed 36 touchdown passes last year and gave up 11 catches to Antonio Brown last week. However, until the Ravens show they can provide some consistency in the passing game, Maclin will be relegated to fringe WR2/WR3 status.
Week 1 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
After two consecutive 1,000+ yard seasons, Jeremy Maclin had a down year with only 536 yards on 44 receptions in 2016. He missed four games with injury and was banged up most of the year. Maclin is still a reliable talented target and he’s shown WR1 potential at times throughout his career. Baltimore needs a steady possession receiver and Maclin will be given every opportunity to be that for QB Joe Flacco.
Maclin will begin his Ravens career against the Bengals this week. Cincinnati gave up only 238 passing yards per game last year and the Ravens struggled offensively in both matchups with them. Maclin could be a valuable fantasy player this year, but since it’s his first regular season game with his new team, against a formidable opponent, it’s probably better to leave him on the bench until we see how the Ravens are going to use him.
Fantasy Upside
After a lackluster 2016 season in Kansas City, Jeremy Maclin comes to a Ravens team badly in need of consistent pass-catchers. Maclin is still only 29 years old, so he should have some solid seasons ahead of him, and he’s only two years removed from 1,088 yards and 8 touchdowns with Alex Smith as his quarterback. Joe Flacco has more arm talent than Smith, and he’s been searching for someone to be a reliable target for years. If Maclin can stay healthy, he could gobble up targets and become a nice possession player and complement to the speedy Mike Wallace.
Fantasy Downside
Mike Wallace has a year up on Maclin in the offense, and the Ravens haven’t been a consistently prolific passing offense with Flacco at the helm. That makes it hard to believe the team can sustain more than one legit fantasy option, although there were times last season where Steve Smith Sr. and Wallace were both able to produce. The biggest risk with Maclin though is his health. He missed four games last season and was hobbled with nagging injuries throughout the year.
2017 Bottom Line
Maclin is risky, but with an ADP in the 12th round, his potential isn’t bad as a backup receiver on your roster. If he can develop a nice rapport with Flacco and stay on the field, then Baltimore might fall in love with him. He’s arguably the most talented receiver they’ve had since Derrick Mason was in his prime, so the potential is there as long as his price tag remains low.
Divisional Round vs. Pittsburgh
Jeremy Maclin wasn't a huge threat this season. He missed some games due to injury, but in the weeks he played, he averaged just about 45 yards on three receptions. Those aren't big numbers, and the fact he scored just twice isn't 12 games isn't appealing, either.
Maclin had his second-best game (78 yards) against the Steelers earlier this year, but that was with Alex Smith throwing a season-high 50 passes. We highly doubt Smith will reach that number this week, so Maclin's production should be limited.
Maclin has a low floor and a low ceiling this week against Pittsburgh.
Week 17 vs. San Diego
Jeremy Maclin didn't do a lot against Denver last week as he finished with nine yards on three receptions. He's now had two duds an average game in his return from injury.
Maclin's been pretty mediocre all year long. Oddly enough, his best fantasy outing came in Week 1 against the Chargers, the team he'll face in Week 17. But even in that game he had just 63 yards and a touchdown.
Maclin is a WR4 at best with a low floor.
Week 16 vs. Denver
Jeremy Maclin had his first productive game last week since returning from injury. He caught six passes for 82 yards in a favorable matchup against the Titans. But his date with the Denver secondary won't be as great this week.
Maclin was out the last time K.C. played the Broncos, but he likely wouldn't have done a whole lot if he was in the lineup. He's had poor play all season long, and Denver's D is no joke. Maclin isn't really on the fantasy radar this week.
Week 15 vs. Tennessee
Jeremy Maclin's return to the football field left a lot to be desired last week. The veteran wideout caught just one pass for 16 yards, as Alex Smith found other outlets (like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce).
Maclin should do better this week in a favorable matchup against the Titans, but he'll be hard to trust. Even before his long injury absence, he wasn't putting up big numbers. Now that Hill has stepped into the spotlight, Smith doesn't need to rely so much on Maclin.
In Week 15, owners should view Maclin as a WR5 at best.
Week 14 vs. Oakland
Jeremy Maclin is expected to return this week with a groin injury. Although his return brings a little excitement, it's important to note he wasn't doing so well even when he was healthy. He was averaging 47 yards on three-to-4four catches per game, with just two scores on the season.
Maclin will get a decent matchup this week against the Raiders, but he carries a lot of risk. He's coming off of an injury and joins an offense that has found playmakers without him, such as Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.
Maclin should be viewed as a WR5 at best this week.
Week 10 vs. Carolina
Jeremy Maclin put up a big ol' goose egg last week as he exited the game due to injury. Maclin's been pretty ineffective all season long, even before the injury issues, and now owners are just getting frustrated with him.
Maclin has missed practice this week, and it's questionable whether he'll even play. If he does, he gets a favorable matchup against the Panthers. But he'd be nothing more than a low-end WR3 or WR4.
