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Tennessee Titans fantasy focus: Rishard Matthews

By Dale Lolley

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27: Rishard Matthews #18 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball after making a reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 27: Rishard Matthews #18 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball after making a reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Rishard Matthews proved to be a vital part of the Tennessee Titans immediate future last season, but what is his fantasy football value heading into 2017.

In his first season with the Tennessee Titans, wide receiver Rishard Matthews went from a little-used secondary target to a go-to guy. That said, the Titans still felt the need to continue adding pieces to their wide receiver corps, perhaps relegating Matthews back to the role he served in Miami.

Matthews never received more than 64 targets in a season in his four years in Miami. That ballooned to a team-high 108 targets in 2016 with the Titans. But with the addition of Corey Davis, Eric Decker and Taywan Taylor at the receiver position, it doesn’t seem likely Matthews will top 100 targets in 2017. He is, however, unlikely to drop all the way back down to the 60-target range.

Matthews developed a nice chemistry with Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota in 2016. He received seven or more targets in a game eight times, with just two of those coming in the first half of the season.

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The rookies, Davis and Taylor, might not be the issue for Matthews. Decker, on the other hand, does a lot of same things as Matthews. Matthews turned his 108 targets into 65 receptions for 945 yards and nine touchdowns. Even if Matthews gets, say, 85 targets instead of 108, he should still have an opportunity to catch 60 passes. But nine touchdowns? That might be a pipe dream with Decker on board.

So where does that put Matthews in the pecking order when it comes to fantasy football receivers? He ranks as a decent WR3 with upside.

According to 4for4.com, based on last season’s rankings, the Titans face just three teams that had top-10 defenses against receivers last season. Two of those teams, Houston and Jacksonville, however, are division opponents, meaning they are on the schedule twice.

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Still, that’s not a bad ratio. Matthews scored in both of his games against Jacksonville last season; he had at least 82 receiving yards in the two meetings with the Texans. Take Matthews in the ninth or 10th round and you’ll be happy with the results. He should still put up decent numbers in an improving offense.

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