Brandon Marshall

Week 2 at Chicago Bears

Brandon Marshall was targeted a team-high six times last Sunday and we expect more moving forward with No. 1 receiver Doug Baldwin out for several weeks. Marshall ended up with three catches for 46 yards and he scored his first touchdown as a Seahawk.

It won't be easy this week against a very good Bears pass defense on the road. But Marshall's fantasy stock has risen from the preseason and he now could help your team on a weekly basis.

For Week 2, we don't like this matchup for Seattle so it might be okay to pick up Marshall off the waiver wire. He should stay on the bench this Sunday.

Week 2 vs. Detroit Lions

Brandon Marshall looked slow off the line last week and struggled to get open against the Dallas secondary. He wound up with only 1 catch on 4 targets for 10 yards and was outshined by youngsters Roger Lewis and Sterling Shepard. It was a disappointing start for Marshall, who the Giants needed to step up after Odell Beckham was announced inactive for the game.

Marshall is a drop candidate now, but he still has some long-term upside. He’s only two years removed from a 1,502-yard season, and if Beckham returns as expected this week, we might see Marshall benefit from less attention. Still, it’s worrisome he looked so bad in Week 1. He shouldn’t be active in any league format until we see he can still be productive.

Fantasy Upside

Only two years removed from a stellar 2015 fantasy season where he caught 109 passes for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns, Brandon Marshall will be playing with Eli Manning this year. While he had some good seasons with Jay Cutler in both Denver and Chicago, Manning is a much more successful passer than any of the other quarterbacks Marshall has played with. The Giants run an offensive system that emphasizes prolific passing numbers and should allow Marshall to use his physicality after the catch to rack up additional yardage.

Fantasy Downside

Marshall will be the WR2 on a team for the first time in his career, playing opposite Odell Beckham Jr. The 33-year-old Marshall battled injuries during a down year with the Jets last season, recording only 788 yards and three touchdowns. Marshall may continue his decline as he enters his 12th season, and he may lose targets to second-year slot receiver Sterling Shepard. Marshall will help the Giants, but his days of being a top fantasy player may be over.

2017 Bottom Line

There is reason to like Marshall, as the Giants were eighth in the league in passing attempts last season and should be able to feed multiple receivers in their offense. However, he’s too risky at this point in his career to count on. With an ADP in rounds six and seven, there should be better options available on the board. If you can get him as a WR4 in round 12 or 13, then he’s worth rostering, but he’ll likely go long before his value says he should.