We’ve seen flashes of what Zay Jones can be for fantasy football throughout the course of the 2023 NFL season, but consistency has evaded him. With Christian Kirk sidelined for the foreseeable future, is the veteran WR worth targeting on the waiver wire going into Week 15?
Should Zay Jones Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 15?
Jones was Trevor Lawrence’s preferred option in the passing game in Week 14, leading the team with 14 targets, but it’s highly unlikely that anyone played him due to injury concerns for both him and Lawrence. The week was just too important to take that chance. Lawrence’s painful injury in Week 13 likely firmly put Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Evan Engram on most fantasy teams’ benches.
This was a big mistake as far as Engram is concerned, as he posted a crazy 11-catch, 95-yard, two-touchdown day. It was still a mistake, but to a lesser degree, for Jones and Ridley owners, as each had five receptions and double-digit targets.
Jones has flourished since the injury to Kirk two weeks ago, averaging five catches for 53.5 yards per game and an insane 25% target share. With Kirk officially put on IR after surgery, Jones’ role in the Jaguars’ offense is cemented throughout the fantasy playoffs.
Last week, my colleague Julia Papworth correctly stated that Jones could only take advantage of Kirk’s loss if he stayed on the field. Luckily for us, and hopefully not jinxing him, all signs point to Jones being completely off the injury report after his busy day on Sunday.
Jones has a mixed bag ahead for his playoff matchups, starting with a surprisingly easy game this week against the 25th-ranked Baltimore Ravens. Things will get more challenging in Week 16 against the 10th-ranked Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If you are able to make it all the way to the fantasy championship, you are rewarded with a matchup against a bottom-10 defense against opposing WRs in the Carolina Panthers.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
This offense is humming and heading full throttle into the NFL playoffs to do damage. As this offense continues to perform well, it’s worth investing in from a fantasy standpoint.
As Jones has a clear role in this offense down the stretch, he’s worth adding if he’s available in your league.
It may not always lead to consistent production, but the volume mixed with his connection with Lawrence is worth adding to the bottom of your bench. If we see positive results here in Week 15, he does have some appeal as a Flex option in Week 16 that could help provide your lineup with the boost it needs to make it into the fantasy championship.
At the very least, if you have an open spot on your roster, add him and stash him on your bench to ensure that your playoff opponent doesn’t get him and start him against you. Sometimes, the best offense is a good defense.
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