Justin Blackmon

Week Seventeen Analysis: With Cecil Shorts placed on IR due to a concussion, Justin Blackmon has sole possession of the top wide receiver spot and all the good targets in Jacksonville. You can insert your joke right here, but the Jaguars have been at least serviceable in the passing game since Chad Henne took over. In the last six games, Blackmon has topped 60 yards and scored in three contests, and topped 90 yards in one other, that's not bad. The Titans are ready to shut the season down after getting embarrassed by the Packers last weekend. Green Bay's wideouts combined for 17 receptions, 207 yards and three touchdowns.

Week Sixteen Analysis: It took a little longer than we expected, but Justin Blackmon is a viable fantasy option. He's now topped 90 yards or scored in four of the last seven games, which isn't quite the consistency you want from an every week starter, but he's a good play when facing a favorable matchup. Most would consider the Patriots a favorable wide receiver matchup. The Pats have allowed at least 84 yards to a wide receiver in six straight games, mostly as teams try to play catch-up. After all, the Patriots have scored 34 or more points in six of their last seven games, and they shouldn't have a problem replicating that this week in Jacksonville. What this means is plenty of garbage time receiving opportunities for Blackmon to capitalize on.

Week Thirteen Analysis: After his Week 11 outburst for 236 yards, you probably heard a lot of Justin Blackmon stats. The only bullet point that really matters is that Blaine Gabbert is on the bench. In the last two weeks in which Chad Henne has played, the Jacksonville offense is averaging 319 passing yards per game. Gabbert only topped 260 yards once in his 23 starts. Henne makes Blackmon relevant, and startable this week. Buffalo's secondary was murdered in the first half of this year, but has settled into mediocrity. Only five teams have allowed more touchdowns to wide receivers than the Bills and Blackmon just happens to have scored in three of his last four games.

Week Twelve Add: Let's hope that Blaine Gabbert stays on the sidelines for a long time. Last Sunday, Chad Henne unlocked a massive performance from Blackmon, who was targeted 13 times, scored a touchdown, and piled up 237 yards, nearly equaling his season total. And if the schedule is any judge, he could continue to have fantasy viability. He's got five tantalizing matchups left: two games with Tennessee, Buffalo, Miami and New England. Cecil Shorts and Laurent Robinson muddy the waters, but this coaching staff and front office would love to prove that they didn't blow the fifth overall pick in the draft. I'd bid $9 on Blackmon, and double that in dynasty leagues.


Week Four Drop: Eventually Justin Blackmon is going to be a good, productive fantasy receiver. But there's no reason to think it's going to happen soon. The fifth-overall pick in the draft is being out-produced by Cecil Shorts, for cryin' out loud. With four catches in three games, Blackmon has a long long way to go before you're going to feel comfortable starting him.