You know that manager in your fantasy league, right? The one who snatches up the backup receiver before anyone even refreshes the waiver wire? The NFL trade deadline is next Tuesday, and it’s time to be that manager. When a veteran gets shipped out, someone on the depth chart inherits his role. By Wednesday, that player is the top waiver claim. Forget that scramble. We can be proactive and make the move *before* the NFL decides for us. Keenan Allen is the absolute main target to stash right now.
Keenan Allen’s Unreal Volume and Upcoming Schedule
Keenan Allen is currently rostered in just 59% of leagues, so there’s a good chance he’s sitting on someone’s bench in your league, or even available. Trust me, you need to target him in negotiations or scoop him if he’s out there. The Colts’ schedule alone makes him a worthy acquisition independent of what happens at the deadline. Three of his next four matchups will be against secondaries above the league average in PPG allowed to wide receivers. And guess what? He has a similar setup during the fantasy playoffs, hitting Tennessee on the road and Cincinnati at home. This guy is set up for success!
But it’s not just the schedule. The volume has been absolutely bonkers for Allen, even with the current personnel in Indianapolis. Take last Sunday’s game: Anthony Richardson came in for the final few drives, and he only attempted three passes. Two of those three throws went straight to Allen! This was in the fourth quarter, with the team down by double digits, and the 34-year-old veteran was still hoarding opportunities. He put up a ridiculous 42.9% target share in the fourth quarter alone. That’s pure opportunity right there.
The Numbers Don’t Lie on Target Dominance
Even before Week 8, Allen was siphoning looks away from the younger talent on the Colts. His Targets per Route Run (TPRR) is 26.7%, which is first among all Colts pass-catchers. On crucial third downs, specifically 3rd and 7+, his target rate sits at 23.1%, also first on the team. And when the quarterback is pressured, Allen is still the guy, with a 17.5% TPRR, again, first. These numbers scream target hog.
Of course, the immediate concern for any fantasy manager is tying yourself to Daniel Jones. He ranks 30th in CPOE amongst all starters, which is definitely not ideal. But here’s the kicker: Jones has had no issues getting the ball to Allen. His 80% catchable target rate is ninth among all wide receivers who have run at least 175 routes. So even with Jones under center and even with Downs on the field, Allen has solid WR3 appeal in PPR leagues. If the Colts come out the other side of the trade deadline minus one receiver, Allen instantly becomes a low-end WR2. That’s a league-winning kind of pickup.
Don’t be that manager scrambling for waiver claims next Wednesday after a trade goes down. Be the one who already has the goods. Get Keenan Allen on your roster now. And hey, if you’re really looking to get ahead, a guy like Ryan Flournoy for the Cowboys shows some intriguing early numbers with an EPA per Target of 0.34, though we shouldn’t overreact to a few good games. But Allen? That’s the real deal for the deadline.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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