Game-By-Game Projections: Kenny Golladay (2020 Fantasy Football)

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If you’d like an example of how efficient Kenny Golladay has been the last two years, consider that only 16 receivers have totaled more than 2,000 receiving yards in that span with Golladay totaling the ninth-most yards despite recording the least amount of receptions. The 16.7 yards-per-reception is indicative of the big play possibilities Golladay brings on each snap and 2020 isn’t expected to be any different. However, the Lions have added some intriguing young pieces the last two years – TJ Hockenson, D’Andre Swift – who could cut into Golladay’s role in the offense.

You can find our entire 2020 Player Game-By-Game Projection series here.

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Week 1: Detroit vs. Chicago
Golladay has scored three times in his last four against the Bears and the season-opener is no different as he scores twice against Chicago. He also had his best game of 2019 against the Bears at home so the big fantasy day shouldn’t be a surprise.

Predicted Stat Line: Four receptions, 125 yards, two touchdowns (28.5 PPR fantasy points)

Week 2: Detroit at Green Bay
Surprisingly, Golladay has only played in Green Bay in his three prior seasons as Lion but it was a good one. He totaled over 120 yards on five catches in a one-point loss to the Packers last year and while he doesn’t quite match that total this year, he does have his second 100-yard game to start the 2020 season.

Predicted State Line: Five receptions, 102 yards (15.2 PPR fantasy points)

Week 3: Detroit at Arizona
The Cardinals managed to keep Golladay in check last year despite finishing 23rd in defensive DVOA, holding him to just 42 yards. Arizona did improve their defense by adding Isaiah Simmons in the draft and managed to hold Golladay to his worst regular season fantasy game since Week 7 of last season.

Predicted Stat Line: Three receptions, 24 yards (5.4 PPR fantasy points)

Week 4: Detroit vs. New Orleans
Golladay bounces back in a big way in his first-ever game against the Saints with another 100-yard receiving day. The eight receptions also tie a career-high in a game for Golladay who’s only accomplished that feat two other times in his career.

Predicted Stat Line: Eight receptions, 120 yards (20.0 PPR fantasy points)

Week 6: Detroit at Jacksonville
The Jaguar’s new-look (and younger) defense manages to find an answer to Golladay’s hot start to the season and keeps him to under 40 yards for the second time through five games. New additions like Joe Schobert (free agency) and CJ Henderson (first-round pick)

Predicted Stat Line: Three receptions, 39 yards (6.9 PPR fantasy points)

Week 7: Detroit at Atlanta
Golladay has another low reception and yardage total but does save his fantasy day with a touchdown. And after a hot start to the 2020 season, it’s his third game with 50 yards or less in four games. Golladay had just five such games last year but the growing emergence of Hockenson and Swift to the passing game looks like it’s starting to take its toll.

Predicted Stat Line: Four receptions, 55 yards, one touchdown (15.5 PPR fantasy points)

Week 8: Detroit vs. Indianapolis
Houston, er Detroit, we have a problem. After a few big games to start the season, Golladay is crashing back to Earth as other players on the young Lions offense carve out a bigger role. At least Golladay continues to be a red-zone weapon as he notches another score in an otherwise forgettable game.

Predicted Stat Line: Three receptions, 60 yards, one touchdown (15 PPR fantasy points)

Week 9: Detroit at Minnesota
Yes, Golladay is going through a bit of a slump but the Vikings have always played him well, never allowing him to top more than 61 yards. This week is no different as Minnesota prevents Golladay from making a big play and having a big day.

Predicted Stat Line: Five receptions, 52 yards (10.2 PPR fantasy points)

Week 10: Detroit vs. Washington
Washington managed to keep Golladay in-check last season when they held him to just 61 yards on four receptions. Of course, that was when Washington was ranked in the lower quarter of the league in defensive DVOA. Since then, Washington has added pass rusher Chase Young to go along with an already stout defensive line. Perhaps more importantly, they’ve added Jack Del Rio as defensive coordinator. Del Rio’s track record as a coordinator is impressive as defenses, he’s led have finished top three in yards allowed three times in four seasons while they were top-five in points allowed twice. Golladay will have his work cut out for him and is lucky to have the day he had.

Predicted Stat Line: Five receptions, 77 yards (12.7 PPR fantasy points)

Week 11: Detroit at Carolina
The last time Golladay and the Lions played Carolina, the receiver went off for 113 yards and a touchdown. Not this time as he runs into another reclamation project in the form of the Panthers defense which keeps him in-line. New Panthers defensive coordinator Phil Snow led Baylor to finish eighth in sacks-per-game, and fifth in turnover margin and will generally give the Lions offense fits all game. It ends with Golladay’s worst game of the season.

Predicted Stat Line: Two receptions, 45 yards (6.5 PPR fantasy points)

Week 12: Detroit vs. Houston
Happy Thanksgiving. Golladay does what he does best and makes a few big plays while scoring for the first time in a month. Unfortunately, it’s also the sixth-straight game of five receptions or less which makes Golladay more and more a big play fantasy option and nothing more.

Predicted Stat Line: Three receptions, 90 yards, one touchdown (18 PPR fantasy points)

Week 13: Detroit at Chicago
The 86 yards represent a career-high against the Bears in Chicago, but he fails to score in the Windy City for the first time in three seasons.

Predicted Stat Line: Four receptions, 86 yards (12.6 PPR fantasy points)

Week 14: Detroit vs. Green Bay
A mixed bag against the Packers as his low target numbers shine through, catching just three balls and totaling under 40 yards for just the third time all season. But he does manage to score against a decent Packers defense to salvage the fantasy day.

Predicted Stat Line: Three receptions, 38 yards, one touchdown (12.8 PPR fantasy points)

Week 15: Detroit at Tennessee
Finally, a big day all the way around for Golladay and on the road, no less. The six receptions and 121 yards are his highest totals for each in over two months and the touchdown is the cherry on the top. It’s a much-needed bright spot on a boom-or-bust season.

Predicted Stat Line: Six receptions, 121 yards, one touchdown (24.1 PPR fantasy points)

Week 16: Detroit vs. Tampa Bay
Golladay comes back down to Earth as he runs up against a tough Tampa Bay defense that shuts down the entire Lions offense. Golladay fantasy owners shouldn’t feel bad about this one as not even young guns Swift or Hockenson can get anything going.

Predicted Stat Line: Four receptions, 56 yards (9.6 PPR fantasy points)

Week 17: Detroit vs. Minnesota
Golladay’s season mercifully comes to an end with a dud of a game. The one reception is the lowest of the season while the 29 yards is his second-lowest. Meanwhile, the offense looks more and more like it belongs to D’Andre Swift and TJ Hockenson heading into the 2021 season.

Predicted Stat Line: One reception, 29 yards (3.9 PPR fantasy points)

Receptions	Receiving Yards	Receiving TDs	Fantasy Points
63	1,119	7	216.9

All in all, it looks like another Golladay season. He notches another 1,000-yard season while recording over 17 yards-per-reception, the third time he’s averaged that much in four seasons. The major difference are the touchdowns. After a career-high 11 last year as the Lions best offensive weapon, he has competition for that title in the form of Hockenson and Swift and sees his scores drop to a more typical seven.

You can find our entire 2020 Player Game-By-Game Projection series here.