Terry McLaurin
vs Jameson Williams

“Terry McLaurin is the WR37 in fantasy points per game, with his best showing of the season last week as the WR14 in weekly scoring. McLaurin is tied for the team lead with a 22% target share, 1.40 YPRR, two red zone targets, four deep targets, and a 28.4% first-read share (leads the team). This week, McLaurin faces an Indy pass defense that has utilized single high at the ninth-highest rate (57.1%).”

“McLaurin: Targets and share held roughly flat (27.0% adjusted → 28.1% adjusted), continuing as Washington’s clear passing-game priority — but for the second straight week, a real, meaningful gain of his was taken away by replay review (see Replay Reversal above).”

“McLaurin was a favorite of mine at cost this offseason, as despite his down performance in 2025, his underlying metrics were still good. McLaurin’s playing style and archetype, as primarily a downfield player, mean his production will always have a bit of variance to it, but you should start him as a fringe WR2 moving forward. Drake Maye’s Awful Start Drake Maye ‘s sophomore season in 2025 was incredible, as he finished first among quarterbacks in adjusted yards per attempt and Expected Points Added (EPA).”

“Against two high, McLaurin has had a 24% target-per-route-run rate, but he has produced only 1.12 YPRR. Even if the coverage structure leaned in McLaurin’s favor, I wouldn’t expect much from him against a secondary that has allowed the fourth-fewest yards per target and fantasy points per target to perimeter wide receivers this season. Sit McLaurin this week, if possible.”

“Terry McLaurin has also struggled to start the season, but his outlook for the near future is not as bright as Jamo’s. Jayden Daniels ’ elbow injury makes McLaurin a shaky flex play until he returns. Carnell Tate might end up being a product of a bad situation with Cam Ward struggling so far, and he can stay on your bench until something changes.”

“Though he led the Commanders in targets (9) and receiving yards (50), McLaurin’s season-long outlook is concerning because of the rise of Stefon Diggs and the nasty, dislocated elbow injury Jayden Daniels suffered. We don’t yet have a timeline for how long Daniels will be out, but I expect this injury to cost him several weeks, and veteran Marcus Mariota will fill in his stead. The major thought I had going through this weekend: if McLaurin isn’t able to have a big game against the Dallas secondary, what will it take?”

“Going back to the Commanders’ offense, Terry McLaurin had a scary bad game for a 31-year-old receiver in the late stages of his career. He finished the afternoon with just two receptions on four targets for 14 receiving yards. He managed just an 11% target share and 0.40 yards per route run (YPRR), basically just running cardio the entire game.”

“Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS) Both Finish as Wide Receiver Twos The prediction: both receivers finish this season as at least a top-24 fantasy option. Diggs isn’t washed the way public perception might suggest. He averaged a respectable points-per-game clip last year and ranked top 10 in yards per route run among receivers with 100-plus routes, along with a 90th-percentile mark in targets per route run.”

“Terry McLaurin set career highs across the board in Jayden Daniels ‘ rookie season. If Daniels can stay healthy, McLaurin is set up for another big year.”

“Terry McLaurin is still the top target in the Commanders’ passing game. I expect them to be much more successful through the air with David Blough calling plays.”

“Among WRs with 80+ routes run, Jameson Williams ranks eighth in air yards per target. Despite the Panthers having the seventh-highest blitz rate, they are closer to league average when it comes to time to throw, allowing 2.87 seconds. That is important because giving Jared Goff more time in the pocket should allow Jameson Williams to actually get downfield for big plays and hopefully some yards after the catch.”

“According to the Fantasy Points Data Suite, Williams ranks fourth on the team in target share at just 14.7%. He hasn’t shown the same explosiveness we are used to seeing. Last year, he created 6.75 yards after catch per reception; this year, through three games, it’s virtually nonexistent at 0.30.”

“Jameson Williams has reminded fantasy managers that he is a boom/bust play, but he faces the Jets, Panthers, and Cardinals and could bounce back.”

““I’m not sure why Jameson Williams is off to a slow start (I know he’s had a few drops), but the reasons I like him haven’t changed. He’s still a very talented player on a team whose defense is expected to struggle. Because of that, the Lions will have to pass plenty in the fourth quarter.”

“You don’t have to look hard to find fantasy enthusiasts who, using these two weeks and some splits from last season, argue that Williams is straight-up useless with Sam LaPorta healthy. But Williams’ usage — 92% route rate, 16% target share, 31% air yards share — is still excellent, especially given the Lions’ overall offensive efficiency. He’s scored just 10.8 half-PPR points on 26.8 expected points, per the Fantasy Points Data Suite.”

“Williams had a 23.1% target share and a fantastic 36% first-read share, but he had two drops and secured only one of his three contested targets. He also had one red zone target and two deep targets. The big takeaway is that his utilization was WONDERFUL, but Williams produced a wet-fart stat line with 45 scoreless receiving yards because of a bad game.”

“Williams had 23.1% of the team's targets (WR25) with 54.2% of the air yards (WR6). He did have the big drop, but 33.3% of his targets were also uncatchable. Although he did have the shot play that he put down, Williams still got access to a favorable part of the target tree, rather than solely living downfield.”

“Jameson Williams has incredible speed and can turn a five-yard screen pass into a 40-yard gain. Williams ranked 10th in the NFL with 441 yards after the catch (YAC) last season.”

“However, the former Alabama star can also be a weekly winner. Last season, Williams scored 17.3 or more fantasy points in 41.2% of his games, including over 26.2 twice during the final six weeks, but both contests came with Sam LaPorta sidelined.”

“Jameson Williams (WR – DET) “ Jameson Williams has probably been my most frequently drafted player. Don’t write off Williams’ late-season surge in 2025 as a byproduct of TE Sam LaPorta ‘s back injury.”