Week 2 at New York Giants
Willie Snead had a fantastic start to the 2016 season, catching all nine of his targets for 172 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 1 loss to the Raiders. The targets were tied with Brandin Cooks for most on the team and the receptions and yardage also led the Saints in Week 1. Snead's lone touchdown came on a fourth-and-one from the goal line in which he snagged Drew Brees' pass in traffic.
It's possible Snead's Week 1 production won't be matched all season, but he's definitely on the WR3 radar moving forward. Ranked as our WR32 for Week 2, view Snead as a FLEX option against the Giants 22nd-ranked fantasy pass defense.
Week 1 vs. Oakland
As a rookie in 2015, Willie Snead was targeted 102, catching 69 passes for 974 yards and three touchdowns. The Saints signed tight end Coby Fleener and drafted Michael Thomas in the second round, so Snead could take a backseat in the passing game at some point this season. That said, Snead didn't relinquish his role in the Sean Payton's offense this preseason and remains the Saints No. 2 wide receiver behind Brandin Cooks. Ranked as our WR32, Snead is a low-end WR3 for Week 1, but has a tough match up versus the Raiders.
Fantasy Upside
In his first season with the Saints, Snead caught 69 passes for 984 yards and three touchdowns on 101 targets. That production was good enough to make him the WR35 in fantasy last year and reportedly has looked great in training camp. Even though the team invested a second-round pick in Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas and signed tight end Coby Fleener in free agency, Snead should hold onto the Saints' No. 2 job opposite Brandin Cooks.
Fantasy Downside
As previously alluded to, Snead doesn't even have the Saints' No. 2 receiver job locked down and he missed some time in preseason for an unspecified reason. With Cooks returning as Drew Brees' top target and Fleener now in the mix, Snead's opportunities could start to dwindle in 2016. If Thomas and Fleener flash early, then Snead could be a forgotten man in New Orleans.
2016 Bottom Line
Snead doesn't have the same upside now as he did before Fleener and Thomas were added in the offseason. Even if he holds off Thomas to be the Saints' No. 2 receiver, Snead's ceiling could be limited if Fleener proves to be the top target behind Cooks. Ranked as our WR39, view Snead as a WR4 for 2016. He'll likely be a boom-or-bust play on a week-to-week basis.
Week 17 at Atlanta
Willie Snead caught 4-of-6 targets for 75 yards in the Saints' Week 16 win over the Jaguars. With that 75-yard effort, Snead has now racked up at least 75 yards receiving in three straight games. While the Falcons own the No. 2 fantasy defense versus receivers this season, Snead is a legit WR3 option in both standard and DFS leagues this Sunday. He ranks as our WR27 for Week 17.
Week 16 vs. Jacksonville
Willie Snead caught 10-of-12 targets for 76 yards in the Saints Week 15 loss to the Lions. The receptions were a career-high for Snead, who has caught 17 passes for 198 yards in two games since returning from a calf injury. Ranked as our WR35 for Week 16, Snead will be a WR3/4 against a Jaguars defense that is ranked 25th versus fantasy receivers this season. We project him to finish with 13.1 fantasy points this Sunday so if you're in need of a receiver for your championship game, Snead is a decent FLEX play if he's still available.
Week 15 vs. Detroit
Willie Snead caught 7-of-8 targets for 122 yards in the Saints Week 14 win over the Bucs. Of his 122 yards, one pass came on a 41-yard grab in the second quarter when he was left wide open by Tampa Bay's struggling secondary. Snead will be a boom-or-bust option for fantasy owners in Week 15. He ranks as our WR30 for Sunday's matchup versus the Lions and should be viewed as a low-end WR3.
Week 14 at Tampa Bay
Willie Snead was inactive for the Saints Week 13 loss to the Panthers due to a calf injury. he remained limited on Thursday but is on track to play against the Buccaneers. Ranked as our WR41 for Week 14, avoid Snead in all fantasy formats.
Week 13 vs Carolina
One week after producing zero fantasy points, Willie Snead caught 4-of-8 targets for 50 yards in the Saints' Week 12 loss to the Texans. Drew Brees and Co. were thwarted all afternoon by J.J. Watt and Houston's red-hot defense. Still, it was nice to see Snead post decent production a week after producing a goose egg. Ranked as our WR46 for Week 13, Snead should be avoided in all formats. The Saints will host the Panthers, who own fantasy's No. 9 defense versus receivers this season.
Week 12 at Houston
Willie Snead failed to record a catch in the Saints Week 10 loss to the Redskins. He played the entire game despite being limited in practice and finished with only one target. Snead should be completely healthy coming out of the team's bye, but he has a tough matchup against Houston on Sunday and will be nothing more than a WR4. Ranked as our WR45 in PPR formats, avoid Snead in Week 12.
Week 10 at Washington
Willie Snead led the Saints in receiving while catching 6-of-10 targets for 95 yards in the team's Week 9 loss to the Titans. He led the team with 10 targets despite playing through a knee injury that has limited him in practice this week. Snead now has 12 catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns the past two weeks and if he plays, he'll be a WR3 with upside against a Washington defense that ranks 13th against fantasy receivers this season. Snead ranks as our WR25 for Week 10 and is a WR3 option assuming he plays through the knee injury.
