2017 Buccaneers Fantasy Forecast: WR, DeSean Jackson
Drafting Buccaneers receiver DeSean Jackson should be a WR2 consideration, or even a flex play week-to-week.
There will be some big games undoubtedly, and identifying them is going to be the key.
Sure Things:
Week 12 and 15 vs Atlanta Falcons
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We all know by now that the Buccaneers had three of the worst pass defenses in the league within the NFC South last year.
This year will be a little harder, but still, the Falcons had the softest deep secondary in the NFL in 2017.
While the Bucs didn’t take advantage a year ago, they should look to exploit a secondary which allowed 17 plays of 40-yards or more.
Week 9 and 17 vs New Orleans Saints
I’m going to give you four weeks to start the newest Buccaneers receiver, and for good reason.
While the Falcons were busy giving up deep balls, New Orleans was busy allowing completions. A lot of completions.
The Saints secondary allowed a league-high 472 pass completions last season. Second-worst was the Baltimore Ravens who allowed nearly 40 fewer completions per game than Sean Payton’s group.
Considering all the weapons at the Bucs’ disposal, it’s games like this one where you can rest easy knowing even the second receiver will get some attention from the quarterback.
Uphill Battles:
Week 7 @ Buffalo Bills
When the Buccaneers take the flight up to the Niagara Falls area to face the Bills, it’ll be more than weather they’re worried about.
Well, Jackson’s fantasy football owners will be anyway.
If the teams play on a snow-covered runway, then Jackson will be limited in the vertical sense. Even if not, he may be limited due to the fact Buffalo allowed a league-low 286-completions in 2016.
Whether it’s good coverage or a really bad rush defense, the Bills just don’t allow a lot of passes to make into receivers’ hands.
Week 8 and 16 vs Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers beat the defending NFC Champions twice last year. Which is a good thing.
In those match-ups, Winston threw just two touchdowns combined and failed to break even 220-yards passing in each. Those are bad things.
Especially when you have a receiver on your fantasy football squad who needs passes to go his way.
The Panthers allowed the third fewest completions to receivers of all defenses in 2016.
Unless this trend changes, it’s going to hurt the numbers of secondary receivers everywhere.
Analysis:
Four good games and three tough ones for this Buccaneers player is still a winning situation for fantasy owners who take Jackson.
Still, there has to be a little consideration for these things when deciding when and where to draft him.