Week 13 vs. Detroit
Willie Snead caught five-of-seven targets for 38 yards and tossed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Tim Hightower in the Saints’ Week 12 win over the Rams. The touchdown pass came off a flea-flicker when Sean Payton was trying to run up the score on his former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Only rookie Michael Thomas saw more targets than Snead, but the veteran wideout hasn’t topped over 50 yards receiving in his last four games. With Thomas continuing to dominate and Brandin Cooks openly complaining about his role (and thus, might receive extra attention from Drew Brees this weekend), Snead will be a risky flex option on Sunday when the Saints host the Lions. Ranked as our WR37 for Week 13, view Snead as a WR4 for this weekend.
Week 12 vs. Los Angeles
Willie Snead caught four-of-five targets for 33 yards in the Saints' Week 11 loss to the Panthers. Carolina did an excellent job limiting New Orleans' deep game throughout the night, which impacting the fantasy success of Snead, Brandin Cooks and rookie Michael Thomas. Snead remains stuck behind Cooks and Thomas, but he's one of the team's best deep threats. Ranked as our WR36 for Week 12, Snead does have some appeal as a FLEX option versus the Rams' No. 18 defense against fantasy receivers this season. That said, Snead is more of a boom-or-bust fantasy option at this point.
Week 11 at Carolina
Willie Snead caught 5-of-7 targets for 47 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints' Week 10 loss to the Broncos. The touchdowns were Snead's first since Week 2 and he has now drawn seven targets in five straight games. His yardage isn't there, as he's been held to below 60 yards receiving in six of his past seven games, but he'll be on the WR3 radar this Thursday night in Carolina. The Saints visit the Panthers, who rank as fantasy's No. 21 defense against wide receivers. Snead is our WR25 for Week 11 and can be viewed as a WR3 in both PPR and standard formats.
Week 10 vs. Denver
Willie Snead caught three-of-seven targets for 36 yards in the Saints’ Week 9 win over the 49ers. Those seven targets were the second-most on the team but rookie Michael Thomas, Brandin Cooks, Coby Fleener and backup tight end Josh Hill racked up more yards. Ranked as our WR34 for Week 10, view Snead as a WR4 against the Broncos’ stout defense.
Week 9 at San Francisco
Willie Snead caught six-of-eight targets for 56 yards in the Saints' Week 8 win over the Seahawks. Snead has seen a combined 26 targets in his last three weeks but has yet to find the end zone since Week 2 and his yardage total has been suppressed. There's plenty of opportunities to go around in New Orleans' pass-happy offense, but Snead appears to be settling into a No. 3 role behind Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas. Snead ranks as our WR30 for Week 9 and should be viewed as a WR3/4 for Sunday's game against the 49ers (who rank No. 24 against fantasy receivers this season).
Week 8 vs. Seattle
Willie Snead caught nine-of-11 targets for 87 yards in the Saints Week 7 loss to the Chiefs. After averaging just 41.3 yards per game over his previous three contests, it was a solid performance for the second-year receiver. The targets were a season-high and the yardage was his second most this year, behind his nine-catch, 172-yard performance against Oakland in Week 1.
Snead remains a risky WR3 moving forward. Rookie Michael Thomas has proven to be a reliable target for Drew Brees and Brandin Cooks continues to be the team's No. 1 receiver. Snead ranks as our WR30 for Week 8 and faces Seattle's No. 4-ranked defense versus receivers. Again, Snead will be a risky FLEX/WR3 option for Sunday.
Week 7 at Kansas City Chiefs
Willie Snead caught 4-of-7 targets for 47 yards in the Saints Week 6 win over the Panthers. His seven targets were second-most to Brandin Cooks' nine, but he did significant less with his targets than both Cooks and rookie Michael Thomas. The Saints travel to Kansas City this weekend to take on a Chiefs team that is fantasy's No. 17 defense versus wide receivers. Ranked as our WR46 for Week 7, view Snead as a WR4 only.
Week 6 vs. Carolina
Willie Snead caught just one pass for 23 yards in the Saints Week 4 win over the Chargers. It was the only target he saw despite playing on 49-of-73 offensive snaps in his return from a toe injury. Earlier this week Snead said he feels “close to 95 percent” and noted that he was closer to 80-85 percent in San Diego two weeks ago. Ranked as our WR25 for Week 6, view Snead as a decent FLEX play against the Panthers, who allowed big plays to Julio Jones two weeks ago.
Week 4 at San Diego
Willie Snead was inactive for the Saints' loss to the Falcons on Monday night due to a toe injury. He remained limited in practice on Thursday but is on track to return this Sunday when the Saints visit the Chargers in San Diego. Assuming he plays, Snead will be nothing more than a WR4 with the Saints on the road (where Sean Payton's offense has been significantly less explosive) and with Drew Brees becoming increasingly more comfortable throwing to tight end Coby Fleener. Snead ranks as our WR32 for Week 4.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta
Willie Snead caught five passes for 54 yards and a touchdown on his eight targets last Sunday when the Saints fell to the Giants in Week 2. Coming off a 9-173-1 performance in Week 1, Snead rewarded fantasy owners that rolled the dice on him in Week 2 by catching a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The second-year wideout held off rookie Michael Thomas in preseason for New Orleans' No. 2 receiver position opposite Brandin Cooks and clearly has chemistry with QB Drew Brees. Ranked as our WR19 for the Saints' Week 3 game against the Falcons on Monday night, view Snead as a low-end WR2 for this week.
