Titus

Young

Young actually started in place of Nate Burleson in Monday night’s loss to the Bears. Then Burleson was lost for the season after breaking his leg in the third quarter. That gives Young even more job security, a clear every-down role and a projected uptick in targets. Burleson was seeing 8.7 passes per game come his way. Young, a second-year speedster, is well worth an add in all formats as he’ll see tons of single coverage while operating across from Calvin Johnson. He posted a 48/607/6 line last year while playing just 64.6 percent of the snaps.

Young caught five passes for 89 yards, including a 43-yard catch on a third-and-24 in the second quarter. “I expect for him to be similar to DeSean Jackson,” Burleson said. “He’s fast, he’s thin, he’s light, he’s not afraid to go up and make that big play with his hands, as you saw.” Young is rounding into form after dealing with a leg injury in training camp. There’s boom-or-bust flier appeal here off the waiver wire.

The rookie was targeted heavily for the second straight week, seeing eight passes from Matthew Stafford. He laid out for a spectacular diving catch in overtime, keeping the drive going for a big play to Calvin Johnson. Young should be on Watch Lists entering Week 4, but he’s not a WR3 consideration just yet.

If you’re looking for a silver lining, Young did take some snaps from Nate Burleson in two-wide sets and the two finished with the same number of targets (4). This type of inconsistency should be expected for most rookies, and particularly those that are fourth or fifth options in their offense. Young still makes for an interesting stash given his upside. He had 12 catches for 181 yards in three games prior to tonight.

Young struggled with mental errors early in 2011, but caught four touchdown passes in the Lions’ final four regular season games before being targeted 10 times in their playoff loss to the Saints. In theory, Young’s breakout potential could be curbed by Detroit’s selection of WR Ryan Broyles with the No. 54 pick, but Broyles (torn ACL) might begin the year on the PUP list, and is ticketed for the slot. Young should push Nate Burleson for snaps early and often, and may even open the year as the Lions’ No. 2 receiver.

Young had graduated to fielding punts and kickoffs in practices by the end of last season. He’s only likely to see action on special teams if return specialist Stefan Logan ends up being squeezed out in a roster crunch.

Coach Jim Schwartz believes Broyles can play on the outside, but that’s not going to happen. Nate Burleson will start in the slot this year, with Broyles taking over down the line. Titus Young will play primarily on the outside, along with Calvin Johnson.

Young will never again be as open as he was with no defender within 20 yards on a 41-yard blown-coverage score in the first quarter. He produced just 25 yards on his other four targets. Young’s role could increase coming out of the Week 9 bye, but he’s been far too inconsistent for fantasy consideration.

Young was out of the doghouse and into a featured role right away. He beat two-deep coverage for a 57-yard touchdown in the first quarter and ended up tying for the team-lead with seven targets. As Calvin Johnson gets an absurd amount of attention from defenses, games like this are going to happen for Young. In terms of desperation plays, he’ll have upside against the Raiders next week.

Young let the cat out of the bag that he would be featured heavily in the game-plan, and he was targeted (10) early and often. Flirting with big plays throughout, Young was tripped up on an end-around, laid out vertically for a deep ball off his hands, and fell just shy of the goal-line on a short pass. Already a more dangerous talent than Nate Burleson, Young will have a chance to ascend to the No. 2 role in 2012.