Though Week 4 of the fantasy football season brings its usual excitement for everyone, there is a select group of owners who actually get a little more to cheer about this week. Those who drafted and stashed Saints wide receiver Willie Snead, suspended for the first three games for a DUI charge, finally may get to see what kind of return they will get on their investment.
Reinstated earlier in the week, Snead has been back at practice this week, though he was added to the injury report as limited Friday with a hamstring issue. But what will his return to the field mean for fantasy owners of him and the rest of the Saints?
For quarterback Drew Brees, he gets his deep threat back. Over the past two seasons, Snead has averaged 103 targets and racked up a total of 1,875 yards and seven touchdowns. He has tremendous speed, gets good separation from the defensive backs and has 26 receptions for more than 20 yards with three career 100-yard games. With the loss of Brandin Cooks, Snead���s presence will provide a comfort to Brees in the form of another familiar and reliable set of hands.
The real question will be how his presence affects the value of the other receivers. Michael Thomas, arguably the Saints’ top receiver, will actually welcome back Snead with open arms. Despite another mouth to feed, Thomas should see an uptick in targets as Snead draws some of the coverage his way.
Thomas has seen nine targets per game with significant double-coverage but should now see more man-to-man situations, which will draw his quarterback’s eyes his way even more.
For secondary receivers Brandon Coleman, Ted Ginn, and even tight end Coby Fleener, the ramifications are not as positive. Snead is expected to work out of the slot, which means Coleman loses his seat at the table in three-receiver sets. Ginn has been targeted 14 times through three games, but Brees has a comfort level with Snead and likely will send some of those his way as well.
Fleener has seen 11 targets thus far, and though that number may not decrease all that much, the red-zone looks which have come his way may start to diminish.
It will be unfortunate to see a talent like Coleman lose out, but it’s time for fantasy owners to bail on him. Ginn as well. Fleener should still be worth a hold, but remember, the aerial path to the end zone will go through the hands of Thomas and Snead.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 4-6 p.m.