Just as professional football players are starting to make headlines as their season hikes toward a dramatic finish, so too are amateur football players. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, an elite talent at wide receiver, is practically guaranteed to join the 2,000 receiving yards club. That incredible genius maverick potential of his is finally starting to come out this season. On a 36.8% target share, he’s developed into his team’s clear-cut number one for the passing side of the game. Dillon Gabriel and Rashid Shaheed aren’t making waves in just fantasy football right now. Their eye-opening performances are widely helping their teams’ success.
The last few games have been a showcase for some major talents on both the field and in our fantasy leagues. Harrison’s performance against the Dallas Cowboys was one for the record books. He was reliable with seven receptions on nine targets, and had everybody buzzing with a leaping, one-handed touchdown catch. Now, as the season winds down, these players are becoming entrenched as important pieces on their teams.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Ascension
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 2021 season was the best I’ve ever seen. As it stands right now, he is on pace to record 2,000 receiving yards. If he gets there, he will be mentioned among the top wide receivers in the league. He commands an impressive 36.8% target share. This statistic is a testament to his unique skill set and the confidence that his quarterback has in him.
Smith-Njigba’s contributions grow more and more important as his team nears the late weeks of their season. More importantly, they are really strung out on his positive contributions. His ability to always find soft spots in defenses is just a testament to his route-running accuracy and football IQ. This talent provides him the ability to gain separation from defenders with ease, making him an ultra-reliable target on key downs.
In fantasy football leagues, Smith-Njigba’s increasing stock has made him one of the most desired assets to fantasy managers this year. Week in and week out, he proves he’s a difference-maker. People tune in just to watch him score major points and often lead his team to victory. His pair of talent and opportunity makes him one of the standouts from many of his fellow rookie classmates this year.
Highlight Reels and Fantasy Impact
Beyond Smith-Njigba, plenty of other players are enjoying breakout seasons, having an impact on actual game play and fantasy football scoring alike. Harrison’s recent career-defining performance against the Dallas Cowboys included seven catches, including a breathtaking touchdown reception in the third quarter that turned heads and made Davidson a highlight reel star. His performance not only enchanted the Cardinals’ fanbase but proved that the franchise found a potential cornerstone moving forward.
Shaheed has been making big plays with his field-stretching ability. During his last season with quarterback Derek Carr, he averaged an astounding 17.5 yards per catch. He’s continued to build off that so far this year, as he sits at a strong 11.6 fantasy points per game average. He’s on pace for 83 receptions and 943 receiving yards. Shaheed’s gamebreaking explosiveness should make him a must-have target for any fantasy squad seeking a consistent scoring threat.
Dillon Gabriel’s performance just may be the biggest story of all. Even though he’s averaging just 4.9 yards per pass attempt, that doesn’t tell the full story of his impact. As a high school quarterback, Gabriel is stacking up passing touchdowns and fantasy points by the boatload. He’s becoming a strong attractive option for Teams in need of QB Death with injuries affecting players.
Injuries and Their Consequences
It’s no surprise that injuries have loomed large in the impact of almost every team this season. Kyler Murray’s unavailability on the field turned this team on its head. This change has the potential to transform their playmaking on both ends in future matchups. When teams can’t fill the gap created by significant people missing time, it can severely dampen their prospects for success.
Additionally, C.J. Stroud’s recent concussion forced him to sit out a game, creating opportunities for other players like Davis Mills to step in as potential replacements. Mills’ addition in most fantasy leagues underscores the desperate search for NFL quarterbacks. It illustrates the unforeseen nature of injuries and other events that seemingly spontaneously remove players from availability.
As teams deal with these vulnerabilities, they’ll have to be nimble and make adjustments quickly in order to stay competitive in actual matchups and fantasy leagues. Now, it will be the capacity of those backup players to step up that will decide how far each of those teams can go as the season continues.
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