The Carolina Panthers pulled off the most stunning move of the trade deadline, sending wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills. That will surely have a ripple effect on the rest of the offense, starting with Devin Funchess, who’s now the No. 1 receiver by default.
Fantasy football, Week 9: Devin Funchess, start or sit?
Funchess is the Panthers’ new No. 1 receiver after the Kelvin Benjamin trade.
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Funchess, a 2015 second-round pick, has been mostly quiet in his first two seasons. He’s taken a step forward this year, seeing more targets in the wake of Greg Olsen’s injury. Through eight games, Funchess has 33 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns.
Fantasy impact: We’ve been waiting years for a Funchess breakout that hasn’t really happened yet, so elevating him to a WR2 position in fantasy football seems like a bit of wishcasting. That said, Cam Newton needs someone to throw to down the field (Christian McCaffrey dumpoffs don’t count), and he doesn’t have many good options until Olsen comes back from his foot injury.
At the moment, pencil in Funchess as a high-floor WR, with potential for more if he takes to his expanded role. He’ll likely be matched up with Desmond Trufant when the Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons, whose defense is giving up the 12th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.
Recommendation: Start if you’re desperate
