In each addition of Fantasy Analysis, sports genius  Mike Renzulli  will analyze players that you should either keep, acquire or trade away. 

This rendition of the column will strictly deal with pass catchers, as they are imperative to the success of your fantasy team. I hope that this piece will steer your fantasy team in the right direction for the playoffs, let’s get to it!

Love:

Stefon Diggs-

I love Stefon Diggs for the remainder of this year as he has been targeted over 10 times a game over the last three games and has seemed to build a very strong rapport with Sam Bradford. Diggs is a PPR machine as he has posted over 10 catches back to back weeks. Diggs also has a very favorable playoff schedule, as he faces leaky secondaries in Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Green Bay and Chicago. Jacksonville gives up on average at least 5 20+ plays through the passing game a week, Indianapolis is in the middle of pack for yielding points, however are susceptible to getting burned since their top 2 cornerbacks are not 100%. Green Bay is giving up the 8^th most points this year to wide receivers and the Bears are giving up the most to opposing wideouts. Start Diggs with confidence for the remainder of this season.

Steve Smith-

                           Even though the Ravens passing game isn’t the most explosive or fun to watch, Smith will receive a consistent 8-10 targets a game. Due to volume, Smith should be a reliable asset in PPR leagues, as he should haul in at least 6-7 balls a game. He has a very likable playoff schedule as well, as he faces weak secondaries in New England, Philly, Pittsburgh and Cincy. New England’s defense got exposed by Russell Wilson last week, the Eagles have arguably the worst personnel at cornerback in the league, Pittsburgh is 29^th against the pass, and Cincy has been very leaky in its pass coverage this season, yielding the 6^th most fantasy points to opposing wideouts. Smith is a prime buy low candidate, as he is a free agent in 30% of leagues and also is very undervalued amongst owners.

Davante Adams-

Adams has supplanted Randall Cobb as the second receiver in this pass heavy offense. Over the last 3 weeks, Adams has received more targets, catches and yards than Cobb. Overall, he has posted 50 catches for 621 yards and 6 touchdowns. He is on pace for 94 catches for 1150 yards and 10 touchdowns. This without factoring in his expanded role. Adams is a very versatile receiver that should exceed expectations due to his situation and that Green Bay has a nonexistent run game, as they love to air it out. Adams is a high end receiver 2 with a sky high ceiling.

Hate-

Randall Cobb-

As mentioned above, Adams has replaced the role of Cobb in this offense. Cobb’s targets have diminished and that he will have a smaller role in the offense to come. Green Bay’s front office has been very impressed with what Adams has been doing, further affirming that an expanded role for him is coming soon. I see Cobb as flex option with a medium ceiling due to the volume of passes in this offense, but temper expectations.

Brandin Cooks-

Cooks has been a boom or bust all season long. Just when you think he’s turning the corner with back to back stellar games, he posts two duds in a row as well. While his playoff schedule is very enticing, Cooks can’t be trusted at this point. The volume of targets he receives are very streaky, as he had 5 targets the week before but was targeted 11 times against Carolina Thursday night. While Cooks does have lightning speed, he has been a nonfactor in the redzone all season. Cooks is a boom or bust receiver 2 with tremendous upside, however, temper expectations as he can easily burn you as well.

Tight Ends:

Love:

Cameron Brate:

Brate has actually been red hot lately, as he has posted three games in a row with a touchdown. Jameis Winston and Brate have gained a strong rapport as the season presses, as his target shares have risen as the season has went on. Brate has a great schedule in the playoffs, as he faces the leaky defenses of the Saints, Dallas, and Carolina. Dallas has yielded the 8^th most fantasy points this season. Carolina as possibly lost their best linebacker for an extended period of time and the Saints defense has been abysmal all season long. Expect teams to focus on shutting down Mike Evans, leaving Brate being able to exploit 1v1 matchups.

Tyler Eifert-

                             I love Eifert for the remainder of this season regardless of the matchup, as he is a very hyper athletic tight end who excels in the redzone. A year removed from leading the league in touchdowns, Eifert has produced handsomely this year when not injured or limited.  He has basically posted 100 yard games back to back and he receives a steady workload that I don’t think those numbers will regress. Eifert is firmly entrenched in this offense. Expect him to be a consistent option at the tight end positon that is very weak this season.

Hate:

Martellus Bennett-

The only reason why I hate Bennett is due to the fact that his production is limited by Rob Gronkowski. While I really like for this week, Bennett won’t be a reliable option as he is firmly behind Gronkowski in the passing game at the tight end position. However, if Gronk misses an extended period of time, disregard this excerpt and start Bennett with confidence.

The next addition of Fantasy Analysis will deal with defenses along with updated players at the skill positions of whom you should start to be aware of.   Hope you guys enjoy!