Week 6 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Fitzgerald has come down to earth the past couple of weeks after double-digit fantasy points in three straight games to start the season. While he did catch six balls against the Bengals last week, he gained only 58 yards and has averaged just 8.8 yards per reception over his past three games. Fitzgerald is still the most targeted player in the Cardinals offense, however, giving him a high floor in any given game.
Fitzgerald should be active in all leagues this week. He faces a Falcons defense that just allowed five passing touchdowns to the Texans and ranks dead last in aFPA to opposing wide receivers this year. The Cardinals can’t stop anyone either, so this game could wind up being a shootout, which should benefit the Arizona receiving corps. We have Fitzgerald ranked as a WR1 option this week.
Week 5 at Cincinnati Bengals
After double-digit PPR points in each of his first three games, Larry Fitzgerald gained only 47 yards on five receptions against the Seahawks last week. The Cardinals struggled to move the ball against a full-strength Seattle defensive line, and Fitzgerald suffered as a result. He still led Arizona wide receivers in receptions and yards, however, and he continues to be the most reliable pass-catching option for the Cardinals.
This week, Fitzgerald faces a Bengals defense that has been very average against the wide receiver position, ranking 14th in aFPA to opposing receivers. Fitzgerald should continue to get targets and will make the most of them this week, however, and since the Cardinals defense can’t stop anyone, it’s hard not to like his chances of having a very busy day.
Week 4 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Larry Fitzgerald only had 36 yards last week against the Panthers, but he caught five balls on seven targets and scored a touchdown for the second time in three games. Fitzgerald clearly has a nice rapport with rookie quarterback Kyler Murray and he should continue to be productive despite being 36 years old.
This week, Fitzgerald faces a Seahawks defense that has actually kept opposing WR1’s reasonably in check through three weeks. Michael Thomas scored a touchdown last week, but he was held to 54 yards on five catches. Expect Fitz to get the bulk of the attention from the Seahawks secondary this week, but to still be a quality WR2 based on the number of targets he gets and the likelihood that the team falls and stays behind. Start him.
Week 3 vs. Carolina Panthers
Larry Fitzgerald had 104 yards on five receptions last week against the Ravens, his second straight game over 100 yards to start the season. Fitzgerald has also racked up five targets inside the 10-yard line – most in the league – and he leads the Cardinals with 24 targets through two games. He seems rejuvenated by the new offense and rookie quarterback and he should be a steady option moving forward.
This week, Fitzgerald faces a Panthers defense that ranks 11th in the league in points allowed to the wide receiver position, and features a young secondary with considerable talent. Fitzgerald should get plenty of targets in the pass-happy offense and if he can use his veteran savvy to find space against an aggressive defensive backfield, he could once again put up quality numbers. We have him as a borderline WR1 this week and he should be active in all leagues.
Week 2 at Baltimore Ravens
Larry Fitzgerald had a great game to kick off his 16th season, catching eight passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. He led the team with 13 targets and he had a huge 45-yard reception late in the game to help the Cardinals force a tie after being down by 11 points heading into the fourth quarter. Fitzgerald seems fully adjusted to the new offense, and fantasy owners who grabbed him in the middle rounds should be excited about his production with Kyler Murray at the helm.
This week, Fitzgerald faces a Ravens defense that allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards last year and shut down the Dolphins in Week 1. Fitzgerald has more talent than anyone in Miami however, and if the Ravens get ahead early, the Cardinals won’t stop throwing the ball. Still, consider Fitgerald a borderline WR3 option in what looks like a tough matchup.
Week 1 vs. Detroit Lions
Larry Fitzgerald just turned 36 years old, but he still had 734 yards and six touchdowns on 69 receptions last year, despite playing in a dismal offense that was dead last in passing yards per game, and 30th in passing touchdowns. Fitzgerald should benefit this year from the addition of Kliff Kingsbury as the new head coach, who brings a pass-happy offensive philosophy to the team. Fitzgerald should be thrilled, as only three teams threw the ball less than the Cardinals in 2018.
To start the season, Fitzgerald has a tough matchup against the Lions, who allowed the eighth-least passing yards per game last season but did rank in the bottom half of the league in passing touchdowns. Fitzgerald will also likely draw the coverage of cornerback Darius Slay, one of the most underrated players at his position. Fitzgerald should get targets, giving him value, but we have him ranked as a low-end WR3 and fantasy owners should look elsewhere if possible.
Fantasy Upside
Larry Fitzgerald considered retirement, but ultimately, coming back for a 16th season was an easy decision. While some players go out on top, Fitzgerald didn't want to be one of those who went out on the bottom. The Cardinals had the No. 1 overall pick after being the worst team in football in 2018. "We had a really bad season last year, and I just didn't want to go out on that level," Fitzgerald said. "You've got to live the rest of your life knowing you went out on that level." Fitzgerald failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards or pull in at least 100 passes for the first time since 2014 but still led the Cardinals in receiving yards for a fourth consecutive season.
Fantasy Downside
Fitzgerald may no longer be in his athletic prime and it's fair to wonder if he'll be the focal point of the Cardinals' passing attack this year.
2019 Bottom Line
Even if he's not the focal point, Fitzgerald is expected to be a key offensive component in 2019, this time with incoming head coach Kliff Kingsbury, a new rookie QB in Kyler Murray and an assortment of young wideouts working around him in what is all but certain to be a high-volume offense. Here's something worth asking: Did Fitzgerald fail to catch 100 passes for the first time in three seasons last year because his game has diminished? Or were the reasons Fitzgerald caught "only" 69 passes for 734 yards and six touchdowns broader and tied more closely to a rookie QB playing behind an atrocious offensive line in a poor offense? We'd be willing to pay that WR3 price to find out.
Week 17 at Seattle Seahawks
Larry Fitzgerald caught six passes for 53 yards last week against the Rams and he also threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to David Johnson. Fitzgerald is one of the few players in the Cardinals’ terrible offense who has put up any reasonable fantasy points over the second half of this season.
This week, Fitzgerald faces a Seahawks defense that has been a little above average against wide receivers this year, allowing 183 receptions and 13 touchdowns to the position. He’s risky because of the horrible offense he’s in, but he’s had at least eight targets in each of his past three games and he should continue to get enough looks to be viable. Consider him a low-end WR2 option in most leagues to close out the season.
Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Rams
Larry Fitzgerald had a reasonably decent game against the Falcons last week, catching seven balls on eight targets for 82 yards. Fitzgerald has definitely looked more like himself over the second half of the season, putting up double-digit fantasy points in PPR formats in seven of his last eight games.
This week, Fitzgerald should be able to find room against the Rams, who have been a little above average against the wide receiver position this season, but have struggled as of late. Fitzgerald provides a nice floor for fantasy owners looking to get some guaranteed points in PPR formats due to his targets, but he has limited upside. He’s a low-end WR2 this week.
Week 15 at Atlanta Falcons
Larry Fitzgerald only had 55 yards last week, but he caught five of the nine balls thrown his way and he seems to still be the primary target in the Cardinals’ receiving corps. Fitzgerald hasn’t had a great season by any means, but he’s scored five touchdowns in his last eight games and continues to get targets.
This week, Fitzgerald should be able to put up quality WR2 numbers against a vulnerable Falcons pass defense. The Falcons have allowed a ton of points to opposing quarterbacks this year, but they’ve actually allowed on the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Still, as the only viable pass-catcher left in Arizona, it’s hard to think Fitzgerald won’t be the primary target, making him a WR2 option in most leagues.
