Week 12 vs. Cincinnati
Mike Wallace was targeted 10 times against Dallas last week, but only caught five of them for 62 yards. It was his second straight mediocre performance after a couple of 100+ yard receiving games, and while he’s been a steady player with at least six targets in all but one game this year, his scoring has been sporadic at best.
This week, Wallace has some sneaky upside against a Bengals team that has given up 19 passing touchdowns this year, but he’s a low-end WR3 option at best due to his inconsistent production. Most fantasy owners should have better options available to them, but if you’re in need of a guaranteed 4-7 points, Wallace may be your man.
Week 11 vs. Dallas
Mike Wallace had four catches for 59 yards last week against the Browns, which was disappointing given the matchup. Wallace has been a steady producer this season, albeit unspectacular, with at least five targets in every game. He also has two hundred yard games in the past three weeks and is a big-play threat.
This week, he’ll face a below-average Dallas pass defense, but he’s still a risky option. The Ravens have struggled to move the ball all season and it’s hard to trust Joe Flacco to take advantage of any matchups. Expect Wallace to get another five targets or so, but to be his usual boom-bust fantasy self, making him a low-end WR3 in most leagues.
Week 10 vs. Cleveland
Mike Wallace caught four passes last week against the Steelers, but turned one of them into a 95-yard touchdown reception after catching a short pass on a slant route and out-running everyone. It was good to see Wallace find the end zone again after not scoring since Week 2, and he wound up with 124 yards on the day. Wallace leads the team in targets and now has over 100 yards two weeks in a row.
This is a great week to have Wallace in your lineup. The Cleveland Browns have allowed more touchdown passes than anyone outside of Atlanta this year, and they’re allowing a league-worst 8.5 yards per pass attempt to opposing QBs. Wallace should be in for a good day, and we have him as a solid WR2 in all league formats.
Week 9 vs. Pittsburgh
Mike Wallace hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 2 of the season, but he had a nice game against the Jets before the bye last week, catching 10 of the 13 balls thrown his way for 120 yards. It was his first 100-plus yard game of the season, and he’s been a nice addition for the Baltimore offense. He leads the team in receiving yardage and targets.
This week, Wallace faces a below-average Pittsburgh pass defense that has allowed the seventh most passing yards to opposing teams this year. He’s also facing his former team, which should make him a little extra amped up. He’s a high-floor option with upside this week, as he should once again be heavily targeted and could put up solid WR2 numbers in most leagues.
Week 7 vs. New York Jets
Mike Wallace caught four of the nine passes thrown his way last week against the Giants for 97 yards. It was his highest yardage output this season, but he hasn’t scored a touchdown since scoring three in the first two weeks, making him a risky week-to-week option with inconsistent totals. However, he’s been targeted at least nine times in each of the past three games and leads the team in every receiving category.
While it’s possible the Ravens will do what Arizona did last week and just run the ball all game against the struggling Jets, Wallace has some upside as a low-end WR2 or WR3 option this week against a Jets pass defense that has been vulnerable to the big play all season. They’re allowing 8.8 yards per attempt to opposing passers, more than anyone in the league other than Oakland, and if there’s one thing Wallace can do, it’s go deep.
Week 6 at New York Giants
Mike Wallace only put up 63 yards against Washington last week, but he was targeted a team-high 11 times and he caught seven passes. He’s been in the game on 76% of the team’s offensive snaps so far this year and has 20 targets in the last two games.
This week, Wallace will face a Giants defense that has allowed 262 passing yards per game, but has only allowed six touchdown passes. Expect Wallace to continue to get targets, but with his yardage totals failing to reach 100 yet this year, he still carries an element of risk. He’s a low-end WR2 this week with upside as a big-play threat.
Week 5 vs. Washington
Mike Wallace had just 44 yards on four catches on Sunday against the Raiders, but he was targeted 10 times and is averaging seven targets per game so far this season. Wallace is a big play waiting to happen and seems more comfortable in Baltimore than he has in his last two stops in Minnesota and Miami.
This week, Wallace has some boom potential against a Washington defense that has allowed 281 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game through the air so far this season. Wallace will also likely benefit from the probable matchup of Josh Norman on Steve Smith Sr. While he isn’t a safe option, Wallace is a nice WR3 with upside in most leagues, if you’re projected to be in a lopsided matchup.
Week 4 vs. Oakland
After scoring three touchdowns in two games, Mike Wallace came back to earth against the Jaguars last week. He finished with only three catches for 34 yards, although he was still targeted six times. Wallace has carved a nice starting role for himself in Baltimore, and the Ravens haven’t been afraid to take shots downfield or in the red zone with Wallace.
Wallace carries risk with him because of the inconsistencies of the Baltimore offense, but he has a lot of upside this week against the Raiders. Nobody has allowed more passing yards than Oakland has this year, and Sunday’s matchup could end up being a bit of a shoot-out between two teams who have a lot going for them but look like they’re improving offensively. Wallace is a borderline WR2/WR3 option this week with huge boom/bust potential.
Week 3 at Jacksonville
After two touchdowns against the Browns last week, Mike Wallace has now scored three times in two games and he’s looking very good in a Ravens uniform. Wallace had only 41 yards on four catches last week, but he was targeted six times and remains a threat on the outside. Having a strong-armed QB like Joe Flacco around seems to be just what the doctor ordered for Wallace.
He has a nice matchup against the Jaguars this week. Jacksonville has given up six touchdown passes through the first two games. Still, the Baltimore offense is hard to bank on and has always provided inconsistent production at the WR spot, so use him at your own risk. With a good matchup though, he could be a sneaky low-end WR2 or flex option in most leagues.
Week 2 vs. Cleveland
Mike Wallace was second on the team with six targets against the Bills last week, catching three passes for 91 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown. Wallace might be a little boom-bust each week, but it’s definitely good to see him connecting early with the first deep-ball throwing QB he’s had since leaving Pittsburgh. He was also on the field for 65% of the team’s plays last week, more than any WR other than Steve Smith, which is a good sign.
Against the Browns this week, Wallace has some WR3/Flex potential, especially in quick-strike leagues that award points for long touchdowns. He’s risky because the Ravens’ offense is far from secure as we still try to figure out how all their pieces get divvied up. However, he plays against a Browns defense that gave up 114 yards and a touchdown to Jordan Matthews last week and more passing touchdowns last season than anyone other than Philadelphia and New Orleans. He’s got a lot of upside and could be a sneaky start.
