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The New York Jets got a bit of positive news coming out of their bye on Monday, as head coach Rex Ryan said he expects wide receiver Santonio Holmes to return to action in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. Holmes has 10 receptions for 243 yards and a touchdown in four games played this season, with his best game coming against the Bills in Week 3 (five receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown).
Can Holmes be a factor for fantasy football owners with the playoffs fast approaching?
Assuming he’s 100 percent healthy, Holmes should immediately become the top target for rookie quarterback Geno Smith with few other proven options in the Jets’ passing game. The Bills have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers (29.2 per game, ESPN scoring), and two more of New York’s remaining opponents (Week 12-Baltimore Ravens, Week 14-Oakland Raiders) enter Week 11 in the bottom half of the league against the position.
Outside of that, the four remaining games on the Jets’ schedule (Week 13 and Week 17-Miami Dolphins, Week 15-Carolina Panthers, Week 16-Cleveland Browns) come against teams who enter this week in top 10 of the league against opposing wide receivers. However, it’s worth noting that the Browns have allowed five touchdowns to wide receivers over their last three games and the Dolphins have allowed double-digit fantasy points (ESPN scoring) to the position in eight of nine games despite only allowing one wide receiver touchdown all season.
Holmes will not immediately become a weekly fantasy starter, outside of being a solid option as a WR2 or WR3 for Week 11 against Buffalo, but his likely return to action and wide availability (five percent ownership in Yahoo! leagues) makes him roster-worthy in 12 and 14-team leagues for any owner that is looking to bolster their depth at wide receiver.
Brad Berreman is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.
