Week 9 vs. Dallas
Jeremy Maclin caught just his second touchdown pass of the season last week. Maclin's been a disappointment in 2016 as he's now been held to under 50 yards in three straight games.
He'll get a decent matchup against the Jaguars this week, but will likely be limited to the Chiefs' run-first offense yet again. Maclin's value has dropped significantly, and he should be viewed more as a WR3 moving forward.
Week 8 vs. Indianapolis
At some point, fantasy owners have to start worrying about Jeremy Maclin. He's clearly not a WR1 play as some might have projected heading into the season. He's caught just one touchdown all season, and has only surpassed 50 yards in one game out of his last four outings.
He'll face a Colts defense this week that has surprisingly been tough against receivers, despite being poor against the pass overall. Expect another 4-5 catch effort for 60-80 yards from Maclin this week.
Week 7 vs. New Orleans
Jeremy Maclin is averaging less than 60 yards per game this season, and hasn't caught a touchdown pass since Week 1. Overall he hasn't been a great option for owners this season, but that could change in Week 7.
Maclin and the Chiefs will face the Saints, a team notorious for being involved in offensive shootouts. Maclin is the top receiving threat for K.C., so if there is a shootout, the receiver will end up benefiting the most.
We view Maclin as a solid WR2 play this week.
Week 6 vs. Oakland
Jeremy Maclin has been fairly consistent this season with his production. He had a season-high of 78 yards in Week 4, however, so that should tell you he's not exactly an elite option.
With a favorable matchup against the Raiders this week, it's possible Maclin has a big game. We're expecting Spencer Ware and Jamaal Charles to manage the game on the ground, however.
Maclin should continue to have similar production, with a slightly better chance at finding the end zone this week. He only has one score on the season.
Week 4 at Pittsburgh
Jeremy Maclin was consistent through the first two weeks, but didn't perform well against the Jets in Week 3, catching four-of-seven targets for 35 yards. The seven targets tied for a team-high, which is encouraging.
The thing with Maclin will be the same throughout the season. He's the best receiver on the Chiefs, but his stats will suffer due to the offense. He should improve this week in a favorable matchup against the Steelers, but his ceiling is always limited.
Maclin should be viewed as a WR2 or WR3 option this week.
Week 3 vs. New York Jets
Jeremy Maclin has had consistent production through the first two games, racking up 60+ yards in each matchup. He had plenty of chances last week to have a higher yardage total as he finished with 15 targets, but only came away with six receptions as the Texans' secondary played tough defense.
Maclin will get an easier matchup this week as the Jets have allowed the second-most fantasy points to wideouts through the first two games. Revis Island has been a nice vacation spot for receivers this year instead of the 1-Star reviews from previous visitors.
Maclin's ceiling is capped due to the Chiefs' offense, but we still expect him to put up WR2 numbers this week.
Week 2 vs. Houston
Jeremy Maclin came away with five receptions for 63 yards on seven targets last week, and had the only touchdown from a receiver in the game. As expected, Maclin is only receiver to really consider in Kansas City.
This week, Maclin draws a tough challenge against a good Texans defense. He should be targeted a lot, but could struggle getting open. Also, we expect the Chiefs to be more run-oriented in Week 2 than in Week 1.
Maclin is a good receiver, but in a tough matchup he should be viewed as a WR2 this week.
Week 1 vs. San Diego
Jeremy Maclin is the only Chiefs receiver to consider playing in Week 1. The Chargers are a favorable matchup for Kansas City, but this is a run-first team. With their stout defense, we expect the Chiefs to manage this game, which limits the passing attack.
That's not to say Maclin won't get his (because he will), but he won't be an elite option. Instead, he'll be a reliable WR2 play.
Fantasy Upside
Jeremy Maclin looked great in 2015, playing in his first season with the Chiefs. The veteran wideout finished with over 1,000 yards and caught eight touchdowns on a team that didn’t have a single receiver cross the goal line the season prior.
The best news is Maclin finished the season on a strong note, catching six of his eight touchdowns in the final six games of the season. He’s the best receiver on the team, so he’ll continue to see the majority of the targets from quarterback Alex Smith.
Fantasy Downside
The downside for Maclin is the Chiefs gaining back Jamaal Charles. Maclin still had dominant games with Charles playing last season, but the receiver’s touchdowns didn’t really get going until the running back was placed on injured reserve.
Maclin is also in a system that focuses more on running the football. With Kansas City’s strong defense, the team will look more often to rely on their solid stable of backs in games to run out the clock rather than throw the ball several times.
Bottom Line
Maclin is a talented player and the No. 1 receiving option on a team that relies on running the ball. If he were in a different offense, he’d likely be ranked higher, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad choice.
He’s unlikely to give you monster performances (only three games over 100 yards last season), but he’s consistent (eight games with 5-plus catches and 50-plus yards) and has some added value in PPR formats.
Week 18 at Houston
After catching three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown in Kansas City’s Week 17 win over Oakland, Jeremy Maclin finished his first season back home in Missouri with 87 receptions for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns. He was one of the best free agent acquisitions in recent memory and paid dividends for fantasy owners who did not have to pay an exorbitant price for him on draft day.
Maclin did not light it up when Kansas City played Houston on opening day, however, catching five passes for 52 yards and no touchdowns. And only Denver and Seattle allowed fewer passing yards per game than the Texans during the regular season. It will definitely be a challenge for Jeremy on Saturday, but given the targets he normally gets and his overall productivity, he can be started with confidence.
