Marquez Valdes-Scantling: 2020 Dynasty Profile

Past Production

Here are Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s full NFL stats.

The Packers selected Valdes-Scantling in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft with the 174th overall pick. They needed a third receiver to complement Davante Adams and Randall Cobb, and Valdes-Scantling was one of three players they picked that year, including J’Mon Moore and Equanimeous St. Brown. Valdes-Scantling emerged as the top option between the three rookies throughout camp, although Geronimo Allison won the WR3 job to open the season.

As a rookie, Valdes-Scantling finished third on the Packers in targets behind Adams and tight end Jimmy Graham, starting 10 of 16 games. Both Allison and Cobb struggled with injuries, opening a massive void in the Packers’ passing game, which Valdes-Scantling filled. He only caught 52.1% of his passes and only averaged 8.0 yards/target, but his overall numbers were impressive for a fifth-round rookie.

Going into 2019, the Packers moved on from Cobb and made no significant additions to their receiving room, leaving Allison and Valdes-Scantling to compete for the second receiver spot behind Adams. Unfortunately, neither Allison nor Valdes-Scantling did much in 2019. New head coach Matt LaFleur forced targets to Graham and the running backs, leaving little wide receiver production behind Adams. 

Aaron Rodgers also formed some chemistry with young receiver Allen Lazard, who overtook both Allison and Valdes-Scantling to become the Packers’ WR2. While Valdes-Scantling still finished second in targets among Packers’ receivers, Lazard significantly outproduced him despite recording no offensive stats until Week 6. 

For some reason, Rodgers seemed to dislike Valdes-Scantling and didn’t want to integrate him into the offense. Under both previous head coach Mike McCarthy and LaFleur, Valdes-Scantling had a reputation for following the coaches’ instructions. In contrast, Rodgers often prefers to do his own thing on the field. While that seems like a ridiculous narrative, Rodgers has a history of freezing out players he doesn’t like in favor of those he does, so it might not be completely unfounded.

2020 Outlook

I don’t see too much value for Valdes-Scantling in 2020. He’s the Packers’ third receiver once again, this time behind Adams and Lazard. However, Rodgers has offered some praise for Valdes-Scantling, stating that he’s improved throughout Packers’ camp. I’ve never heard Rodgers say anything positive about Valdes-Scantling before now, so that’s an excellent sign for his 2020 prospects. I currently don’t have Valdes-Scantling in my redraft rankings, but he does provide a bit of a stash upside.

Dynasty Analysis

I’d love to add Valdes-Scantling to the bottom of my dynasty bench. The Packers should be a high-powered offense, and Rodgers can still play at a high level in the NFL. If Valdes-Scantling re-emerges, he could easily produce WR3 numbers in 2020. He’ll have to overtake Lazard, but the Packers have few other receiving options, especially without a viable receiving tight end.

There are far worse ways to use a dynasty bench spot than on Valdes-Scantling. At least Valdes-Scantling has produced on an NFL field, unlike many of the deep dynasty stashes in his value range. With that said, I wouldn’t spend anything to acquire Valdes-Scantling in a trade. I’m only targeting him as a throw-in in trades or as a waiver-wire addition.

Thanks for reading this article. You can find me on Twitter at @DFF_Karp. I love to interact with anyone in the community, so reach out at any time! I take fantasy questions and help with all formats, so keep sending those questions my way.

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