It’s been some time since I’ve been able to write up an article but with the playoffs in full swing it’s about time I got my butt back in gear. One of the hardest problems for me this season has been evaluating return yard players. I hit big on Jarvis Landry and Tyler Lockett during my draft but deciding to flex Lockett or not has been a dilemma all year. Return yards fluctuate from week to week based on game flow and most websites don’t calculate them into their predictions. Looking deeper into the numbers I wanted to share my findings with others incase I can help push them onto that coveted championship podium, so without further ado I present my predictions for some of the premier return yard players in week 15 and 16.
Jarvis “Juice” Landry – Miami Dolphins | 9.7 Yards / Punt Return | 24.7 Yards / KO Return
My main man and rock to many fantasy teams. In PPR and return yard leagues Landry is a must start. He is currently 10th in return yards for the season, but unlike most returners he has a lead role in the offense. He has a good week 15 Return matchup followed by a horrid matchup against the Colts in week 16.
———————————————————————-
Week 15 San Diego Chargers Vegas (MIA 24-13)
1005 Return Yards allowed (71/game) | 56.90% Kick off touch back percentage
32 ko yards 38 punt yards
70 Predicted Total Return Yards
———————————————————————-
Week 16 Indianapolis Colts
497 Return Yards allowed (35/game)
84.13% Kick off touch back percentage
(Waiting on Vegas Odds)
———————————————————————-
Tyler “Rocket” Lockett – Seattle SeaHawks | 6.5 Yards / Punt Return | 26.2 Yards / KO Return
A breakout rookie and really turning on the after burners the last few weeks. He seems to be fully integrated into the Seahawks offense. While Baldwin may be the WR1, I feel that in return leagues Lockett’s floor can’t be overlooked. #3 in return yards so far this season he has a great week 15 and a tough week 16 matchup as far as return yards go.
———————————————————————-
Week 15 Cleveland Browns | Vegas (SEA 44-18)
1044 Return Yards allowed (74/game) | 43.10% Kick off touch back percentage
53 ko yards 22 punt yards
75 Predicted Total Return Yards
———————————————————————-
Week 16 St. Louis Rams
665 Return Yards allowed (47/game)
62.75% Kick off touch back percentage
(Waiting on Vegas Odds)
———————————————————————-
Dwane Harris – New York Giants | 11.0 Yards / Punt Return |29.1 Yards / KO Return
The WR3 for the Giants looks to continue his return yard dominance throughout the playoffs. Keeping with the pattern, Harris has a great week 15 matchup followed by a middle of the pack week 16. The Giants targeted him 5 times in week 14, combined with his return yards gives you a safe floor for those looking for potential boom with minimal bust.
———————————————————————-
Week 15 Carolina Panthers | Vegas (CAR 37-20)
1113 Return Yards allowed (79/game)
62.79% Kick off touch back percentage
67 ko yards 34 punt yards
101 Predicted Total Return Yards
———————————————————————-
Week 16 San Diego Chargers
827 Return Yards allowed (59/game)
56.90% Kick off touch back percentage
(Waiting on Vegas Odds)
———————————————————————-
Ted Ginn – Carolina Panthers | 9.7 Yards / Punt Return
Talking about boom or bust it’s MR. 2 for 120 and 2 TDs. While he only has 241 return yards on the season, if you are looking for a player with BOOM! here he is. Owned in only 13% of NFL leagues he can be picked up in most leagues. His week 15 match up against the Giants, who gave up 100 yards to Landry last week, is great while week 16 is less than stellar against the Falcons. He has been targeted for at least one bomb pass almost every week and against a weak Giants secondary week 15 looks to be a boom week, as long as he doesn’t drop wide open passes as he has been known to do.
———————————————————————-
Week 15 New York Giants | Vegas (CAR 37-20)
1191 Return Yards allowed (85/game)
40.79% Kick off touch back percentage
29 punt yards
29 Predicted Punt Return Yards
(Waiting on Vegas Odds)
———————————————————————-
Week 16 Atlanta Falcons
717 Return Yards allowed (51/game)
69.35% Kick off touch back percentage
(Waiting on Vegas Odds)
———————————————————————-
Josh “Who?” Huff – Philadelphia Eagles and Markus Wheaton – Pittsburg Steelers
While some players are absolute play makers at special teams and have great return yard averages, these are not those guys. Just like WR and RB return yards are mostly from opportunity, a receiver who gets 10 targets or a RB with 20 touches will put up some points no matter how talented they are. This is that situation. Huff and Wheaton are the kickoff returners in weeks 15 and 16 facing the Arizona Cardinals. The Cards get special mention as they have given up over 1000 kickoff yards this season. Their high-powered offense leads to more scores and those scores to return attempts. Huff could be a descent desperation play in Deep leagues while Wheaton will have a respectable floor being on a high-powered offense of his own.
———————————————————————-
Week 15 Arizona Cardinals | Vegas week 15 (ARI 40-28)
1043 Kickoff Return Yards allowed (74/game)
48.78% Kick off touch back percentage
79 Predicted KO Return Yards