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It struck me last night, as I suffered through another sloppy Thursday night game, that I was watching the best 1-2 punch at WR - at least in fantasy. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett go about their business in different ways, but both have a chance to finish as a WR1 this season. In fact, they could both finish inside the top 5 at the position, a remarkable accomplishment.
Metcalf is the phenom that everyone wants to talk about - and watch him for more than a few targets and you see why. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, and unfortunately for defenders around the league, he’s got all the talent in the world. The son of former Bears offensive lineman Terrance Metcalf, DK’s highlight reels are splashy and hit 11 on the excitement meter. He’s leading the league in TDs. He’s had a score or at least 100 yards receiving in 8 of 10 contests this year. He’s had four 100-yard games and two multi-score affairs. He’s a guy that is doing what you want at the receiver position - providing a reliable floor with a stratospheric ceiling.
Lockett has blossomed into one of the finest route runners in all of football, becoming a true target monster in year six. He’s turned a team-leading 88 targets into 67 catches for 748 yards and 8 scores, just one behind Metcalf. What’s wild is his gamelog is what you’d expect a guy like Metcalf’s to be - big outbursts and a low floor. He has only two 100-yard games on the year and his 8 TDs include 2 games with 3 scores.
Can you make a case for another duo for fantasy purposes? Injuries have certainly made this a difficult question, but here are some thoughts:
- Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley in Atlanta are essentially this duo but can’t seem to stay on the field this year.
- Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in Tampa Bay have a similar story but the targets are a little more evenly distributed in Tampa.
- Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen form an interesting duo, but the volume probably isn’t there to compete with the big dogs above them.
- Davante Adams and DeAndre Hopkins don’t have strong number two’s running with them, let alone someone like Allen Robinson II or Terry McLaurin.
If we were to expand it to trios, it’s probably Pittsburgh (Juju, Claypool, Johnson), Tampa Bay (Godwin, Evans, Brown), or, dark horse, Carolina (Moore, Anderson, Samuel). I’d be inclined to take the Steelers guys and I’m counting on Claypool in *checks notes* all of my leagues.
What’s going on in your leagues? Hit up the comments below of find us on Twitter @gridironborn and @whiskeyranger29.