Buccaneers: Week Four Stock Report
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DeSean Jackson
One of the lone bright spots for Tampa Bay this weekend was veteran receiver DeSean Jackson.
Despite the halftime quarterback change, Jackson still managed to put up a five catch, 112-yard afternoon, with room for more on a few missed passes by Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Jackson saw a season-high in targets with eight, and his hundred yard effort was the third in four games this year.
Jackson has been a consummate pro in his time with the Buccaneers, and this game proves that. With a lot of veterans you have to worry about them mailing things in during tough games or bad stretches of the season, but not Jackson.
This game is a testament to that, and a reason that I could see Jackson staying on with the team beyond this season despite trade whispers. Jackson is the type of player you want in your locker room both long and short term.
Cameron Brate
If you play fantasy football, you are well aware of the tight end drought this season. More than half of the league is struggling to field quality tight ends either from lack of talent or injuries suffered to their starters.
The Buccaneers are in the latter situation, with budding star O.J. Howard out for the next 2-4 weeks with an MCL sprain. The Bucs are a rare team with legitimate depth at tight end, thanks to Cameron Brate.
The Harvard grad has been a consistent target for Winston over the last three seasons, and in 2016 even led the tight end position in touchdowns. He’s scored two touchdowns in a reserve role this year, and with Howard now on the shelf for up to four weeks, Brate is positioned to be a force again, particularly in the red zone. I think that from both a fantasy and real-life perspective, Brate’s stock is through the roof at the moment.
Next. Studs and duds from Buccaneers humiliating loss to Bears. dark
That’s it for the stock report this week. As expected, the blowout loss yielded minimal positive stock action, and for the most part, the team is in the negative entering their much-needed bye week. Hopefully, things will be more positive following their week six divisional showdown with the Atlanta Falcons.