It's safe to say DJ Chark's only season as a Detroit Lion was a dud (30 receptions, 502 yards, three touchdowns). That being said, he did average 18.5 yards a catch over the final six weeks. And over a four-week stretch during that time (Week 13-16), where he topped 90 yards three times, he was WR17 in standard fantasy scoring.
Go ahead and read that last part again. But yes, Chark was a top-20 fantasy receiver in standard fantasy leagues during an important stretch of the season last year. He was down a bit, but still good, in 0.5 point (WR21) and full PPR (WR22) over that Week 13-16 stretch.
Chark of course signed with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. The news he had another surgery on a troublesome ankle reinforced the right decision the Lions made to left him leave.
In Carolina, Chark joins former Viking Adam Thielen as veteran targets for rookie quarterback Bryce Young. In a broad sense, opportunity is knocking as Chark's best and most healthy season (2019) gets further away.
DJ Chark somehow lands high on list of suitable late-round fantasy draft fliers to consider
Cletis Cutts of The Huddle recently put out a list of five late-round fantasy draft fliers. I was good with 5, 4, 3 and 2.....then he lost me at No. 1.
"Chark is the deep threat rookie quarterback Bryce Young needs. He has averaged a touchdown for every 10 receptions in his career, yet has an ADP in the WR70 range – far too low for a player capable of being the top receiver in the Panthers offense.Cletis Cutts, The Huddle
We’ve seen players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Terry McLaurin thrive as fantasy receivers despite being perceived as lesser talents because of lackluster or inexperienced quarterback play. The reality is that the Panthers will be playing 17 games this season, and their fantasy points count just as much as more prolific offenses. Chark could be the biggest steal of the wide receiver 2023 fantasy class."
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Terry McLaurin should be offended to be lumped in with Chark in this context of lackluster or inexperienced quarterback play. And it's as if Thielen, as much of a shell of what he once was he is now, doesn't exist. Same for Terrace Marshall or rookie Jonathan Mingo. Frankly, it's a cluster of fantasy unpredictability in Carolina's wide receiver corps.
Chark does have as good a shot as anyone to be the No. 1 receiver in Carolina. But the next season he plays every game will be his first. Missed games and dud games along the way have to be expected.
Chark has an ADP of WR70 in standard scoring right now (courtesy of Fantasy Pros), and it's only marginally better in 0.5-point (WR63) and full (WR66) PPR. So he's a lottery ticket WR6 in drafts, if he even gets drafted in many leagues. But I think I'd rather draft another receiver, or another position entirely, before considering Chark as a bench stash. And that's without noted he's paired with an overrated rookie quarterback.