Week 6 at Seattle
Ted Ginn had an interesting stat line against the Bucs in Week 4 before the bye. He had just three targets and caught only two of them for 18 receiving yards. However, both receptions were for touchdowns, giving him a nice final stat line. It’s hard to rely on that each week.
However, Ginn is good for some go-route fantasy points occasionally, as he has been able to find the end zone and build a rapport with quarterback Cam Newton while he’s been a Panther. He’s a long shot in any week and has a tough matchup against the Seahawks, so we don’t recommend starting him. That said, he has deep WR3 ability if you feel like rolling dice on an all-or-nothing kind of player with a high bust rate.
Week 4 at Tampa Bay
Another game, another big pass play to Ted Ginn. Against the Saints, Ginn caught a 55-yard pass from Cam Newton on his way to four receptions and 93 yards on the day. He was second on the team with six targets and seems to have a better rapport with Newton than he has had with any other quarterback he’s played with.
That being said, Ginn isn’t consistent enough and doesn’t have enough upside to warrant serious fantasy consideration. We have him outside our top 40 this week, making him a risky player to put in your lineup. Counting on a 50-yard touchdown each week is dangerous, and he should probably remain on the bench against Tampa Bay.
Week 3 vs. New Orleans
Ted Ginn seems to have formed a nice rapport with Cam Newton, as he finished with four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Texans last week. He’s still a difficult fantasy option to trust because he’s never put up consistent numbers, but as a desperation option in deep leagues, he always has the potential to haul in a long touchdown. Outside our top-50 this week, we don’t recommend starting him, but he may be worth rostering at some point if he continues to show a strong connection with Cam.
Week 1 vs. Jacksonville
Ted Ginn is scheduled to get the start against the Jaguars this week, but he’s unlikely to make a big fantasy impact. He’s failed to produce on offense throughout his career, and while the increased opportunity may create more chances for him to get a long touchdown, fantasy owners should be wary of expecting anything from him week-to-week.
Ted Ginn hasn’t done much as a receiver over the course of his career, but he’s an excellent return man and it’s likely the Panthers brought him in from Arizona to fill the return specialist job more than to help out in the passing game. Still, with the season-ending injury to Kelvin Benjamin, Ginn has an increased opportunity to impact the Panthers offense and they’ll he brings some much needed speed to the team.
Fantasy Upside
Ginn had a quietly decent season in Carolina two years ago with 556 yards and five touchdowns. The Panthers only have one other receiver with any kind of legitimate speed and Ginn could carve a role for himself in sub packages as a slot receiver and deep threat.
Fantasy Downside
It’s pretty crowded on the depth chart and Ginn will have to beat out Corey Brown for deep looks and veterans like Jerricho Cotchery and Jarrett Boykin for consistent snaps. Ginn has also never been much of a fantasy option even when he starts and it’s most likely he’ll continue to be used primarily as a returner.
Bottom Line
Ginn may hold value in leagues that give points for return statistics, but he doesn’t have enough upside to warrant serious consideration for owners looking to draft a late-round bench guy. Ginn should go undrafted in most fantasy leagues while the Panthers figure out how they’re going to recover from the absence of Benjamin in 2015.
Wildcard Weekend – Ted Ginn vs. Carolina
Ted Ginn had one catch for 6 yards last week against the 49ers and is kind of an afterthought on a crowded depth chart in the Arizona receiving game. He’ll continue to get looks in the return game, but is unlikely to put up the kind of fantasy numbers worth starting him against his former team.
Week 17 – Ted Ginn vs. San Francisco
Ted Ginn didn’t catch a pass last week and is not a viable fantasy option for the final week of the season. He’s vying with Jaron Brown for snaps as the WR4 on a team that is down to its third starting QB. Leave him on waivers.
Week 16 – Ted Ginn vs. Seattle
Ted Ginn had a three yard run and a four yard catch last week against the Rams for a total of seven yards from scrimmage on the day. He’s still returning kicks and punts for the Cardinals, but that looks to be his primary role in the offense. There’s no reason to expect that to change this week against the Seahawks, and Ginn still shouldn’t be on a fantasy roster.
Week 15 – Ted Ginn vs. St. Louis
Ted Ginn had one catch and eight yards last week against the Chiefs in spot duty. He’s been passed by Jaron Brown on the depth chart, and it’s unlikely he’ll challenge for any spot higher than the WR5/RS job he’s currently holding on to. Ginn should remain on waivers.
Week 14 – Ted Ginn vs. Kansas City
Ted Ginn had a surprising seven targets last week and wound up with four catches and 61 yards. After a season where he’s been hardly a part of the Cardinals offense however, it’s hard to imagine him repeating even those modest numbers. He remains at least fourth on the depth chart, and maybe fifth depending on Larry Fitzgerald’s health. Leave him on waivers.
