Fantasy Football Week 11 Projection: New York Giants’ WR Odell Beckham Jr.

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Fantasy football is becoming one of the only reasons to watch the New York Giants these days. With injuries riddling the team, they are in the midst of a four game losing streak. One player who has been worth watching though is rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Since return from a troublesome hamstring in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, Beckham Jr. has really begun making a name for himself. He looks like the real deal for the Giants, and is starting to become a factor for fantasy football team owners as well.

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Beckham Jr. is quickly becoming a household name in the fantasy football world, as last week he had a coming out party against the vaunted Legion of Boom; the Seattle Seahawks secondary. Beckham Jr. was not fazed, as he routinely beat the player defending him, with a highlight play coming on a double-move against Richard Sherman that resulted in a 44-yard reception. Against the Seahawks Beckham Jr. finished with seven receptions for 108 yards.

The production should continue against the San Francisco 49ers this week, as they are average at best against receivers in fantasy football. The 49ers give up the 16th most fantasy points to opposing receivers per game this season, allowing 10+ points nine times this season to a receiver. Five of those double-digit scoring games have been accomplished in the last three games the 49ers have played; three of them though came courtesy of the air raid the Denver Broncos were provided by Peyton Manning.

They have given up 12 touchdowns to receivers as well, meaning there is a good chance that Beckham Jr. could find his way there as well. Beckham Jr. has been shooting up the wide receiver ranks without scoring many touchdowns, as he scored three in his first three active games, but none in the last two.

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Like all receivers, Beckham Jr.’s production is tied directly to quarterback play. Luckily for him, Eli Manning has gained confidence in him quickly, and is not afraid to pepper him with targets. Beckham Jr. has saw 20 targets in the last two games from Manning, which is second only to Reuben Randle, who has 21. Unlike Randle though, Beckham has been making the most of his targets, catching 15 of them compared to nine for Randle.

Beckham Jr. has quickly ascended the depth chart for the Giants, and it can be argued that he is now the No.1 target in the Giants passing game. He has done more with the chances he has been given that Randle and his ability to make a play after the catch with the ball in his hands is extremely enticing. His strong play will continue against the 49ers, as the Giants could easily be throwing the ball a ton again trying to keep the game close.

Projection: nine receptions, 120 yards, 15 rushing yards, one touchdown