Following a strong 2020 season, 2021 has been a total bust for Robby Anderson. Whether due to DJ Moore’s continued success, the Panthers’ quarterback situation, or just poor play, Anderson has struggled to produce this season. In Week 14, Anderson experienced a mini-resurgence, prompting fantasy football managers to wonder if they should add him off the Week 15 waiver wire.
Robby Anderson was a fantasy superstar in Week 14…on your bench
Last week, Anderson had — by far — his best game of the season. He caught a season-high 7 passes on a season-high 12 targets for a season-high 84 yards and a touchdown. Anderson’s 21.4 PPR fantasy points made him a mid-WR1 on the week.
The $64,000 question for fantasy managers — was Anderson’s performance a blip or a sign of things to come?
Week 14 was the first time Robby Anderson was startable in fantasy lineups
Prior to Week 14, Anderson had finished just one week as a top-40 wide receiver. In Week 10, he caught 4 passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. Although that was a useful outing for fantasy managers, we never want to rely on low-volume wide receivers whose entire fantasy value is touchdown-related.
Last week marked Anderson’s third game of the season with double-digit targets. Unfortunately, the targets hadn’t translated into production until this past week. In Anderson’s first 12 games, he eclipsed 46 yards receiving just once, which was back in Week 1 when his lone reception went for a 57-yard touchdown.
The Panthers’ quarterback situation remains in flux
Cam Newton appeared to get benched last week, but he later returned to the game. Apparently, head coach Matt Rhule was rotating Newton with P.J. Walker, and this will be a thing going forward.
45 of Anderson’s receiving yards came from Walker, 39 came from Newton. Walker threw the touchdown. It was pretty much the same for Anderson regardless of who played quarterback. At the very least, fantasy managers don’t have to worry about who will start at quarterback — statistically, it didn’t matter much.
Should fantasy managers add Anderson off the Week 15 waiver wire?
The short answer is yes, even though it’s not that simple. We’ve seen Anderson produce as a consistent WR2/3 in the past. He was the PPR WR29 in fantasy points per game in 2020. We know the ability is there and we’ve seen it happen before.
This late in the season, startable WR3s are difficult to find. No one would feel confident starting Anderson in Week 15, but if you do find yourself in a position where you might need to play him, you’ll feel better about him than the alternatives.
DJ Moore’s potential absence makes Anderson more appealing as a waiver wire add for fantasy managers
Adding to Anderson’s case is Moore’s hamstring strain. Moore tweaked his hamstring last week but was able to play through it. Rhule described him as day-to-day.
As of now, it remains unclear whether Moore will miss any time. If he does, it seems unfathomable that Anderson wouldn’t at least be startable as a WR3 in fantasy.
It is worth noting that the Panthers get the Bills in Buffalo in Week 15. The Bills are coming off two straight losses, but they allow the fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
While Anderson may be a WR3 in a general sense, all Panthers need to be downgraded in Week 15 due to the matchup. At this point in the season, most fantasy managers are making moves with the “survive and advance” philosophy. Anderson is worth a pickup, but if you aren’t going to use him this week, he’s by no means a high-priority addition.