Among the issues the Detroit Lions' defense has had so far this season, one stands a notch above the rest. I'll just let Ian Hartitz of RotoWire highlight it succinctly.
"Tight ends against the Lions in Weeks 1-3:
-Kenyon Sadiq (7-105-1)
-Dalton Kincaid (7-95-1)
-Juwan Johnson (3-54-1)
-Jeremy Ruckert (5-39-1)
-Noah Fant (4-33-1)
-Dawson Knox (2-5-1)"
The Lions have allowed the most receptions (29), yards (351) and touchdowns (six) to tight ends entering Week 4. And of course, they have also allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends by a good margin over the first three weeks of the season.
Consider this your immediate recommendation to get Panthers tight end Darren Waller into a fantasy football lineup this week if you need to or can, whatever that looks like (a traditional league lineup, DFS). As of this writing, he is available in over 70 percent of ESPN and Yahoo! leagues.
Panthers could really lean into sneaky strength to exploit Lions' biggest weakness
It's lined up to be a high-scoring game on Sunday night, with two talent-laden offenses going up against two bad defenses. However, one of the Panthers' top skill position players, wide receiver Jalen Coker, is officially listed as questionable with an quad injury. Fellow wide receiver Xavier Legette hasn't done a lot, but he will be out with a knee injury to remove a potential target for Bryce Young.
That may mean a good bit of non-Tetairoa McMillan targets from Young will shift toward Panthers' tight ends. And if the Lions can't rectify their issues covering the position, there's profit to be taken as much as they have the aptitude to do so.
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While Waller has found some traction and the fountain of youth over the last couple games, fellow tight end Tommy Tremble is averaging an even 10 yards per catch through three games. And as Hartitz shared, No. 2 tight ends (Noah Fant, Dawson Knox, Jeremy Ruckert) have also had a good bit of success against the Lions early this season.
The Panthers' No. 3 tight end, second-year man Mitchell Evans, is averaging 11.6 yards a catch himself so far this season.
Even with what looks like an indefinite decision to shelve Devin White, the Lions are bringing the same safety and linebacker personnel that hasn't been able to cover tight ends this season to Charlotte with them for Sunday night's game. The Panthers' situation with Coker, even if he is able to play, puts them in line to take full advantage.
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