Bruce

Ellington

The Eagles just waived a receiver this afternoon, so Ellington has a chance of being signed here. If not, he should get an opportunity with a team before the season kicks off as long as he’s healthy.

Ellington lasted two months with the Patriots. He didn’t have a spot after New England invested a first-round pick in N’Keal Harry. Ellington will need to get healthy before he resurfaces.

A Patriots receiver if there ever was one, Ellington is a 5-foot-9 slot man who caught 31 passes across seven games between the Texans and Lions last season. He will be far from guaranteed of cracking the Patriots’ 53-man roster in what is shaping up as a typically unsettled Pats receiver corps, though he is the kind of player who could not only make the team but carve out a meaningful role.

New England will also host ex-Redskins WR Maurice Harris. Both receivers fit the mold as slot options who are unlikely to cost very much. Ellington caught 31 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown last season with both the Lions and Texans.

Ellington totaled 23 catches for 132 scoreless yards during a four-game stint with Detroit late last season. He’s bounced around the league since joining the Niners as a fourth-round pick in 2014. The 27-year-old slot receiver should earn a look in free agency or at least a training camp invite, though wherever Ellington lands next, he’ll have to fight for a 53-man roster spot.

Ellington’s absence last week allowed the team to slide Kenny Golladay (chest, questionable) into the slot at a season-high clip (43%). Assuming the Lions do so again, it’s worth noting premier corner Xavier Rhodes has only traveled to the slot on two percent of his snaps all year. No other receiver can be supported in this disastrous offense.

He’s on track to return this week after sitting out Sunday’s game in Buffalo. Going against a stout Vikings defense, Ellington’s Week 16 fantasy prospects are extremely limited.

The hamstring injury sidelined Ellington in Week 15, though the slot receiver is aiming to return Sunday against Minnesota. Ellington has only topped 50 yards receiving on one occasion this year. Even if Ellington gets the green light for Sunday, he won’t be of much fantasy interest.

The Lions are in absolute disarray traveling to Buffalo as Kerryon Johnson (knee, out), Matthew Stafford (back, questionable), and Ellington are all currently ailing. TE Michael Roberts (shoulder, IR) and Marvin Jones (knee, IR) are also out. Rather than attempting to play any Lions skill players, pivoting to Buffalo’s defense in both DFS and season-long formats is the way to go.

Barring a miracle, Ellington is going to sit against the Bills. Ellington had been a target hog in recent weeks. Neither Andy Jones nor Brandon Powell will be a plug-and-play PPR4 in his absence.