Fantasy Football: Buy low on Carolina Panthers’ Devin Funchess, Ian Thomas
The injury to Greg Olsen has created opportunities for Carolina Panthers’ Ian Thomas and Devin Funchess. This makes them great buy low candidates ahead of Week 2.
If fantasy football owners are scrambling to set their lineup ahead of the games of Week 2, they should look to target two Carolina Panthers that should see an increase in targets for the foreseeable future.
The news this week that Greg Olsen re-fractured his right foot, leaves a pretty big hole in this Carolina Panthers’ offense. The tight end position has been a key position in this offense and Cam Newton has developed a great connection with Olsen.
However, Newton has been through this before as he was without Olsen last year for nine games and in that time he looked towards wide receiver Devin Funchess. The former Michigan Wolverine averaged 4.6 receptions, 7.8 targets, 56.3 receiving yards and six touchdowns in those games.
These numbers jumped up from 3.1 receptions, 5.9 targets, 47.6 receiving yards per game with only two touchdowns in the seven games Olsen and Funchess were on the field together.
In the first game of the season, Funchess finished close to last year’s averages with three receptions for 41 yards. If there is an owner that is frustrated with the production and willing to move him, this could present a great opportunity to get a great value on a receiver likely to lead his team in targets.
As for owners looking to replace Olsen, or even Delaine Walker, in their lineup a sneaky waiver wire move would be to pick up Ian Thomas. The fourth-round draft pick by the Panthers showed flashes during the preseason, including a 27-yard touchdown reception.
Thomas is an athletic, pass catching tight end and can bring some of the same tools to this offense that Olsen did. The tight end position is not only important to Newton but also to Norv Turner’s offense.
In the past two seasons as offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, tight end Kyle Rudolph has saw 15% of the targets in 2017 and 22% of the targets in 2016. This is a trend that will likely continue and Thomas could see 5-7 targets a game.
Key players to watch on the Panthers in Week 2. dark. Next
If fantasy football owners are looking for value, they shouldn’t look any further than Devin Funchess and Ian Thomas.