Jauan Jennings, Jaylen Waddle, and Keenan Allen. All three are versatile. Two play in dynamic offenses. One is playing in a much-improved scheme. And all three have quarterbacks capable of huge weeks. Who offers the most league-winning upside this month?
Welcome to Week 15 of the 2024 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Fantasy vs. Reality
- Player Storylines to Validate or Debunk
- Potential League-Winning WRs (see below)
- Dynasty RB Value Check
Let's roll.
Potential League-Winning WRs
Matt Waldman: Consider these three wide receivers.
Pick the player with the highest ceiling who you think could dominate the playoffs.
Justin Howe: Jennings is in the best offense, and he's posted the best numbers of the bunch (by far) when called upon. Last week, Jennings posted 7-90-2 in a blowout win, all while Deebo Samuel Sr. suited up and George Kittle went bonkers.
Jennings' 3.02 yards per route is 5th among qualifiers, ahead of Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. No, he's not better than them, but he's the kind of playmaker Kyle Shanahan's offense can maximize.
Even in a part-time role, he's already been targeted four times inside the five-yard line. He doesn't need an injury to Samuel – but if it happens, he'll go nuclear.
Jeff Bell: Jennings went for 11 receptions, 175 yards, and 3 touchdowns in Week 3. Allen and Waddle have never done THAT.
Waldman: They never faced the Rams' putrid zone defense that gave up 4-130-2 to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., a 5-121-1 outing to Jameson Williams, and a 7-180-2 affair to previously submerged Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Bell: True! To be fair to those two, Thomas Brown revived Allen after taking over as offensive coordinator, and Allen finished as the WR4 between Weeks 12 and 13. Meanwhile, Waddle has clicked over the last few weeks, earning WR6 value from Weeks 12 to 14.
However, Jennings leads the 49ers in targets, and his performances have shown that he holds the highest ceiling in the group. I'm still rolling with Jennings.
Dan Hindery: In the six games where Jauan Jennings has played at least 60% of the snaps this season, he's averaging 7.2 catches, 90.8 yards, and a touchdown per game. That equates to 22.3 PPR points. Excluding the game when Brock Purdy was out, those numbers improved to 23.7 PPR points per game.
Jennings consistently delivers, and with the 49ers likely to lean on the passing game due to injuries at running back, his fantasy upside is legitimate. Over the next three weeks, there aren't many wide receivers I'd prefer over Jennings.
Gary Davenport: The fact that Jauan Jennings is even in this conversation is 2024 in a nutshell. Not only is the fifth-year veteran in the conversation, but he's also the best of the lot the rest of the way.
Jennings has been easily the most productive of the three receivers, including 7 catches for 90 yards and 2 scores last week against the Chicago Bears. Jennings has gone from fantasy afterthought to San Francisco's No. 1 receiver—and he may wind up the most impactful waiver wire add of the season.
Andy Hicks: It's a good question, Matt. All have a claim worth staking.
Jennings is the highest-ranked out of the three in the season to date, purely with six touchdowns to his name. Allen is the established veteran, and Waddle has been missing for a large chunk of the season.
Two things worth checking here in answering this question are the quarterbacks and the schedule ahead.
Keenan Allen would be the easiest to fade, with the depth of receiver in Chicago and Caleb Williams unproven relative to Tagovailoa and Purdy. I would rather choose one of the other two.
Jennings doesn't have an awful schedule and he is performing well for Brock Purdy, so I wouldn't be shattered to make an argument for him. In both cases, I would be selecting Jaylen Waddle.
His numbers in the last three weeks and his established rapport with Tua Tagovailoa helped build a case. The schedule with the Texans, 49ers, and Browns would be the easiest of the three players. Waddle has a long-term track record of consistent performance. I trust him more to deliver.
Jason Wood: The Bears receivers face the third-easiest schedule in Weeks 15 through 17, but I can't pick him because Rome Odunze and DJ Moore have also had huge games in recent weeks. If you could bet on the trio to come through, I would. But figuring out which of the three will deliver week to week is exceedingly difficult.
Between Jaylen Waddle (10th easiest schedule) and Jauan Jennings (7th easiest), I'll go with Waddle. Jennings is having a dream season, but Deebo Samuel Sr. is chipping about his role on social media, George Kittle demands a heavy target share, and Brock Purdy may be more hurt than he's letting on.
Waldman: Thanks for reading. Check out the links below for all of this week's roundtable topics:
- Fantasy vs. Reality
- Player Storylines to Validate or Debunk
- Potential League-Winning WRs
- Dynasty RB Value Check
Good luck!