Week 11 at Chicago Bears
Kenny Golladay was finally back on the field last week in the win over Cleveland. After missing the previous six weeks due to a sore hamstring, Golladay was welcomed back by Matthew Stafford with 3 targets, resulting in 2 receptions for 64 yards. Although he was on the field for only 11 snaps, Golladay made a nice catch on a 50-yard bomb, showing his hamstring was not a concern. On the road and in the cold at Chicago on Sunday, the Lions may have a bit harder time moving the ball. Consider the rookie a WR3/flex option at best.
Week 10 vs. Cleveland Browns
Will this be the week that Kenny Golladay returns from his hamstring injury? The Lions are back at home facing a Browns defense allowing almost 230 yards per game through the air. Even if the rookie is activated, it’s best to look elsewhere for a starting WR, as he’d likely be eased back into the mix.
Week 9 at Green Bay Packers
After missing an extended amount of time due to a sore hamstring, Kenny Golladay is once again, hoping to be back this week at Green Bay. The Lions passing game has been doing pretty well without him, but, after being held out of the end zone in last Sunday’s loss to the Steelers, the team would like to get a big red zone target back in Golladay. The weather and field conditions could be a factor in determining if the rookie will be able to play on Monday night.
Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
After missing the previous three contests with a sore hamstring before last week’s bye, Kenny Golladay has a shot at being back on the field on Sunday. The rookie has played in only three games, collecting 7 receptions for 102 yards and 2 scores (both way back in Week 1). If he’s healthy enough to play, he should be used as a flex option, at best, against a solid Pittsburgh defense.
Week 6 at New Orleans Saints
Still hampered by a hamstring injury, Kenny Golladay has missed the past two weeks. He’s hoping to be on the field versus New Orleans, where Matthew Stafford and the Lions passing attack has a great matchup. The Saints are ranked 28th at defending the pass, so, if he’s healthy enough to go, you may want to consider Golladay as a flex play.
Week 5 vs. Carolina Panthers
Due to a hamstring injury, Kenny Golladay did not play last week in Minnesota. The rookie has just 3 receptions for 33 yards after bursting on the season with a two-TD performance in Week 1. The Panthers are allowing fewer than 200 passing yards per game, so, even if he's healthy, Golladay should only be started if you’re out of other options.
Week 4 at Minnesota Vikings
In the home loss to Atlanta last Sunday, Kenny Golladay caught 2 passes for 25 yards. Even though Matthew Stafford threw for 264 yards, it was T.J. Jones who led Detroit with 63 receiving yards. Golladay is in the mix with the Lions pass-catchers, but Stafford continues to spread the ball around evenly, connecting with eight different receivers against the Falcons. Facing a good defense on the road this week, the rookie does not make for a good starting WR option.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta Falcons
With the Lions ground game handling the Giants last Monday, Matthew Stafford threw the ball just 21 times for 122 yards. Kenny Golladay was targeted 3 times in the victory, but caught only an 8-yard pass—quite a drop-off from his 2-TD debut in Week 1. Golladay should be considered a WR3, at best, in what might be a shootout versus the Falcons.
Week 2 at New York Giants
What a debut Kenny Golladay made last week in the Lions' comeback win over the Cardinals. The rookie was targeted 7 times by Matthew Stafford, finishing with 4 grabs for 69 yards and 2 TDs, including a diving catch-and-roll that pretty much put the game away. While the Giants limited the Cowboys to 268 passing yards in Week 1, Dallas didn’t need to throw it much as they controlled the game throughout. Playing on the road on Monday night may be a different experience for Golladay. While he’ll have some good games this season, don’t expect another big fantasy performance this quickly.
Week 1 vs. Arizona Cardinals
After a great training camp and preseason, Kenny Golladay is now ready to show his skills in the regular season. All the rookie out of Northern Illinois did in his first professional game was grab 3 passes for 53 yards and 2 TDs. With T.J. Jones battling a hamstring injury, if he’s not already, Golladay will be Lions’ No. 3 wide receiver and will be a great weapon for Matthew Stafford, especially near the goal line, with his 6-foot-4, 218-pound frame. It may be a bit premature to insert him into your fantasy starting lineup Week 1, but the third-round pick will definitely be a big part of the Detroit passing attack in 2017.
