Fantasy Upside
As Bleacher Report recently noted, Benjamin is a dangerous weapon due to his speed and elusiveness. B/R went on to explain the Chargers use a variety of ways to get the ball into his hands as they move him all around the field (including return work). His hands are just OK, but he tracks the deep ball very well. “He's a unique weapon,” the report continued, “and his best plays make one wonder why he never became a more complete receiver.”
Fantasy Downside
Benjamin, who opened camp wearing a red, no-contact jersey, has been fielding punts at practice and does not appear to be hampered by the shoulder injury despite the hands-off status, according to the team's official website. Beyond that, Benjamin's limited role in the offense makes it hard to predict his productive games.
2018 Bottom Line
According to CBSSports.com, given the 28-year-old has retained his trademark speed, Benjamin seems likely to reprise his role from last season in which he acted as a deep threat, opening up intermediary routes for Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams. "While that role is an important facet to this offense," the CBS report added, "it likely won't yield a consistent amount of fantasy points, especially considering 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams continues to assert himself in training camp." His role and the unpredictable production make him a much better best-ball than season-long prospect.
Week 16 at New York Jets
The Chargers go cross-country to face the Jets, with the season on the line for Los Angeles. The Chargers are a 6.5-point favorite with an implied team total just over 24 points this week in Vegas. The Jets are only 27th against WRs in aFPA, and the loss of Hunter Henry at TE could mean more volume for Travis Benjamin. However, his inconsistent play renders him to nothing more than contrarian DFS tournament lineups in Week 16.
Week 15 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chargers are red hot and go into Kansas City in a game Saturday that will greatly decide the division race. The Chiefs are second-worst against WRs in aFPA; however, Kansas City has tightened up its secondary in the last four weeks, allowing just the 15th-most yards to receivers in that span and only one touchdown. Travis Benjamin has not scored since his bye week or reached 70 yards. He's not a starting option.
Week 14 vs. Washington Redskins
The Chargers have the second-highest implied team total this weekend in Vegas at 26.25 points, and Washington is only 18th in aFPA to WRs. Travis Benjamin has two straight weeks of 50+ yards, but no WR for the Chargers has been consistently fantasy relevant outside of Keenan Allen. In the fantasy playoffs, Benjamin is not a starting consideration.
Week 13 vs. Cleveland Browns
The Chargers are surging with 82 points in their last two games, and now they get a revenge game against the lowly Browns, as the Chargers were the only team Cleveland beat last year. The Chargers have the highest implied team total of the week at 28.75 points. Mike Williams is likely out. However, there just aren't enough targets to go around for Travis Benjamin to be a serious fantasy starting option.
Week 12 at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys present a plus matchup on Thanksgiving, as Dallas is just 23rd in overall fantasy points allowed to the position and 25th in aFPA against WRs. However, no Chargers pass-catcher is averaging 6 targets or more per game other than Keenan Allen. Travis Benjamin has not seen more than three targets in five of his last six games. He's not a viable fantasy starter.
Week 11 vs. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is top-five in our aFPA vs. WR rankings. They are also above average in overall fantasy points allowed to the position. Benjamin's weekly targets, as well, are too unpredictable to start him.
Week 10 at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are first in our aFPA vs. WR rankings and first in overall PPR points per game allowed to the position. It could not get any worse for Chargers receivers this week against Jalen Ramsey and company. Sit Travis Benjamin.
Week 8 at New England Patriots
This Chargers-Patriots game has the second-highest over/under in Vegas of Week 8 at 48 points, potentially foreshadowing a shootout. The Patriots rank 28th in our aFPA vs. WR rankings and have allowed the third-most PPR points per game to fantasy wideouts. However, Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry are the top two targets in this offense, at this point. Travis Benjamin caught his only target for a touchdown last week, but 'only target' are the keywords here. He's too risky to start, even in this matchup.
Week 6 at Oakland Raiders
Travis Benjamin has had one fantasy relevant game and four duds. You can't start him in Week 6.
