RADIO
Here is some good news if you own Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones and/or San Diego Chargers receiver Stevie Johnson.
Maclin returned to practice on Friday after suffering a concussion in Week 6. Currently he has 39 receptions for 531 yards and one touchdown. With Jamaal Charles out for the season, it’s expected that quarterback Alex Smith will be forced to throw the ball more which should mean more fantasy points for Maclin. He is a WR2 for Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Although Jones hasn’t missed any playing time yet this season, he has been dealing with a hamstring issue. However, he was nowhere to be found on the team’s Week 7 injury report. This indicates that he is finally at full strength.
Jones has a great matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 7 and should already be considered a must-start WR1 regardless of matchup. Through six games he has hauled in 49 passes for 638 yards and four touchdowns.
Philip Rivers should be happy to hear that he’ll have Johnson back in the lineup for the team’s Week 7 matchup against the Oakland Raiders. He has been out of action with a hamstring injury.
Johnson’s return to the lineup is great news for those who own him, but it could negatively impact Keenan Allen, Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green owners. Without Johnson in the lineup, Rivers was forced to throw the ball to those three much more than normal.
Allen should still be considered a WR1 and Gates can be considered a low-end TE1. But Green should be downgraded to a low-end TE2. Johnson on the other hand can be considered a WR3.
I like the matchups for all three of the receivers. Maclin hasn’t found the end zone very often, but he is still a PPR machine. Jones is arguably the best wide receiver in all of football right now, so starting him is a complete no-brainer. Meanwhile, Johnson should remain a solid WR3/FLEX play for as long as he’s healthy enough to suit up.
