What to do with Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn, Tre'Quan Smith in Week 13 fantasy football

Michael Thomas is by far the most used receiver in New Orleans. Over the last three games, which is the first time Ted Ginn, Tre’Quan Smith, and Thomas have played together since Week 2, Thomas has 36 targets to Ginn’s 12 and Smith’s six. In that stretch, Thomas has six red-zone targets to Ginn’s two and Smith’s one.

The question we need to ask is, do Smith and Ginn have any fantasy value as the discarded step-children of the group? When you look at their production and shake the Magic 8-Ball, you get “Outlook not so good.” Here, let me give it another good shake. Okay, “My reply is no.” Okay, okay.

In their last three games, Smith has two receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown while Ginn has four receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown. Yes, the touchdowns are useful, but you cannot count on receivers with such infinitesimal usage.

Fantasy football analysis: New Orleans Saints WRs Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn, Tre’Quan Smith

The Falcons pass defense gave up 184 yards and two touchdowns to Chris Godwin last week, right receptions for 95 yards to D.J. Moore the week before and 13 receptions for 152 yards to Thomas. On the season, they’ve given up the fourth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.

We know Thomas is locked in, but wouldn’t Smith or Ginn have some upside in this matchup? The answer is, of course, but which one and how risky is he? The answer is, probably, Ginn, and he’s too risky for redraft leagues with his targets and production so far.

Many of you are likely playing some DFS this Thanksgiving, which gives both of these wide receivers value in individual game slates. They’re still dart throws, but in this matchup, a long touchdown to either Ginn or Smith isn’t out of the question.

Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation

Start Thomas.

Sit Ginn and Smith.