One of the biggest surprises of Week 10 was Marquez Valdes-Scantling. In his second game with the New Orleans Saints, the speedy veteran caught three passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. MVS has pushed up the depth chart thanks to the glut of injuries dealt to the Saints' wide receiver room. Of the five wide receivers that started the season on the team's active roster only rookie Mason Tipton was left standing last week. The situation might remain the same in the upcoming matchup against the Browns, with Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) tagged as questionable. Tipton was not targeted at all last week as quarterback Derek Carr focused most of his attention on running back Alvin Kamara and utilized MVS as his field stretcher. The 30-year-old journeyman has a chance for a repeat performance against the Browns, as they have struggled against the deep ball and have given up 11 touchdowns to opposing wideouts in 2024. MVS is worth a look in deeper leagues with 14 or more teams.
Nov 16, 2024 3:09 AM EST
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling hit paydirt in Week 10. On just three catches he racked up 109 yards and scored two touchdowns. For his first score, he reeled in a 40-yard bomb from Derek Carr. On the Saints' next drive, Carr hit MVS on another deep route for a 67-yard gain, setting up his second touchdown from two yards out. With injuries to several Saints receivers thinning the depth chart, the door was wide open for the few still standing to make an impact and MVS ended up being the biggest beneficiary. It was the first time he scored a touchdown since Week 7 of 2023 and the first time he topped 100 yards since 2022. Released by the Bills after they acquired Amari Cooper, Valdes-Scantling now has the inside track to become the Saints' new WR1 as they head into a matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11.
Nov 11, 2024 1:25 AM EST
Veteran free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed an undisclosed deal with the New Orleans Saints on Monday, according to sources. It's a bit surprising that the Chiefs didn't lure Valdes-Scantling back given all their injuries at the receiver position, but New Orleans has needs of their own at the position after they lost deep threat Rashid Shaheed (knee) to a torn meniscus last week. In addition, Chris Olave (concussion) could be in danger of missing a second straight game in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. If Olave doesn't clear the concussion protocol in time to play this Sunday, MVS will likely just be serving as receiving depth behind rookies Mason Tipton and Bub Means and Cedrick Wilson Jr. The Buffalo Bills released MVS after he caught only two of his nine targets for 26 yards in six games to begin this season.
Oct 21, 2024 6:44 PM EST
The New Orleans Saints will host wide receiver Marques Valdes-Scantling for a workout on Monday, and if all goes well, they could sign him, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Valdes-Scantling was recently released by the Buffalo Bills, for whom he caught just two passes through six games. The Saints are starving for reinforcements at the wide receiver position with Chris Olave (concussion) sidelined and Rashid Shaheed (knee) done for the year. While Olave figures to return soon, New Orleans still needs to add depth to a wide receiver room that currently contains just Olave, Bub Means, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Mason Tipton, and Jermaine Jackson.
Oct 20, 2024 8:35 AM EST
The Buffalo Bills released wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Tuesday, a move done to create space for the newly acquired Amari Cooper, according to a source. Even with Buffalo having questionable receiver depth after the offseason departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Valdes-Scantling was an afterthought in the Bills offense in his six games with the team. He caught two of his nine targets for 26 yards and no scores. The 30-year-old will now hit the open market and look to latch on with another team for the rest of the 2024 campaign. His most likely destination is probably back with the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been looking for receiving reinforcements since losing both Rashee Rice (knee) and Marquise Brown (shoulder) for the entire season. A return to KC might make MVS worth a waiver-wire flier in deeper leagues.
Oct 15, 2024 7:50 PM EST
According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) was diagnosed with a sprain. The veteran wideout was injured in Saturday's preseason clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fortunately, X-rays came back negative. However, it appears his availability for Week 1 versus the Arizona Cardinals is up in the air. MVS, who signed with Buffalo this offseason, caught a subpar 21 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 games with the Chiefs in 2023-24. But with Stefon Diggs now in Houston, the door is open for anyone on the depth chart to take over as the No. 1 option for Josh Allen.
Aug 18, 2024 9:54 PM EST
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, X-rays on Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling came back negative. The wideout was injured during Saturday's preseason matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers and required a cart to the locker room for further evaluation. While the latest news regarding MVS' injury is encouraging, his status moving ahead is unknown, meaning he is in danger of missing time. The 29-year-old, who agreed to a deal with Buffalo this offseason, is coming off the worst season of his career, totaling 42 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 games with the Chiefs. However, the Bills no longer have Stefon Diggs on the roster, so Valdes-Scantling could turn things around, assuming he gets healthy.
Aug 18, 2024 2:21 PM EST
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (neck) will not return to the team's preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Valdes-Scantling caught a ball in the second quarter, and after being taken to the ground, he remained down for an extended period of time. The Bills' training staff actually stabilized his neck before he sat up and was escorted over to the blue medical tent. He was carted to the locker room shortly after. MVS's night would end with one catch on one target for eight yards. Although the veteran wideout was mobile, neck injuries are no small matter, and the injury's severity is unknown. While MVS is not listed as a starter on Buffalo's depth chart (WR5), this would be a blow to the offense as Josh Allen is missing 241 targets from 2023 with the departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. He's Yahoo!'s WR117 in ADP.
Aug 17, 2024 9:36 PM EST
Things were not going to plan early in training camp for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was signed late during spring workouts in mid-May, but he's responded well over the last two weeks and has seen his time with quarterback Josh Allen during team drills steadily grow. It has come as Buffalo's receiver battle has thinned out a bit. Outside of Tyrell Shavers, Chase Claypool (toe) hasn't practiced in over a week, and with each passing day of non-participation, he likely sees his chances of making the team slightly decrease. Justin Shorter has also been hurt, and KJ Hamler mostly works with the second unit. Given the guaranteed money given to MVS, his odds of making the team seem quite good as of now. However, he still has Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins ahead of him on the depth chart.
Aug 10, 2024 1:00 PM EST
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has faded into the background at training camp in the last few practices as he attempts to battle for a prominent role on offense in 2024. Valdes-Scantling has yet to make a strong impression in the passing game during team drills, and his opportunities with quarterback Josh Allen and the top unit have dwindled as a result. At one point, MVS was on a side field working with the second and third units, which was more notable with Chase Claypool (toe) out. It's still early, but it's been clear that he hasn't been on of the top five receivers this summer. Second-year wideout Tyrell Shavers has outplayed Valdes-Scantling and offers more versatility. Claypool has also had his moments before getting injured. If the Bills decide to move on, they'd eat $2.25 million in dead cap money.
Jul 31, 2024 1:14 PM EST
The Buffalo Bills signed veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. MVS is no stranger to playing with elite quarterbacks between his time with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, and he'll now be in line to catch passes from Josh Allen in Buffalo. The 2018 fifth-round pick out of South Florida has not posted monster fantasy football numbers, but he has spike-week upside thanks to his field-stretching speed. That said, he's likely going to be more useful in "real life" compared to fantasy football based on his production profile thus far. In six NFL seasons, the 29-year-old has not eclipsed 690 yards or six touchdowns in a single season. Last year, he caught just 21 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 games. He's an interesting late-round flyer in best ball formats, but he might be a wasted roster spot in traditional leagues. MVS will compete with Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel for snaps in 2024, as second-round rookie Keon Coleman should be a locked-in starter.
May 14, 2024 10:11 AM EST
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling made a stop in Buffalo on Monday night. The wideout had a recent visit with the Chargers, although it appears nothing came of it. MVS hasn't been productive in years, and he finished the 2023-24 campaign by recording career lows in catches (21), receiving yards (315), and touchdowns (one). However, the Bills moved on from Stefon Diggs this offseason, so Valdes-Scantling could work his way up the depth chart. Yet, he'll need to prove his value to fantasy managers no matter where he signs, which won't come until he has at least a few decent performances.
May 13, 2024 10:23 PM EST
Free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is scheduled to visit the Chargers on Monday. The 29-year-old had six trips to the end zone in 2020 while still a member of the Green Bay Packers. Since then, he hasn't come close to that mark. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with Kansas City by posting career-lows in catches (21), receiving yards (315), and touchdowns (one). Valdes-Scantling's most notable contribution last season came in the postseason, with the 2018 No. 174 overall pick pulling in a 16-yard touchdown throw from Patrick Mahomes in the Chiefs 25-22 overtime win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Nonetheless, MVS will likely find work this season. But it will be difficult to tell how things will look from a fantasy standpoint until he inks a deal, although he could get looks from Justin Herbert if he signs with Los Angeles, considering the team no longer has Keenan Allen or Mike Williams on the roster.
May 5, 2024 9:10 PM EST
The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling ahead of free agency in a cap-saving move. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the team saves $12 million on the cap. The veteran speedster spent two seasons with the Chiefs, totaling 63 receptions for 1,002 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 33 games. He wasn't overly productive, but he did catch two touchdowns in the 2022 playoffs and caught a touchdown in the victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Valdes-Scantling is unlikely to sign a big-money deal this offseason, but his field-stretching skill set will be attractive to a few teams.
Feb 28, 2024 10:44 AM EST
The Athletic's Nate Taylor writes that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the team's most logical cut candidate this offseason despite being the team's most experienced player at a position the Chiefs need to revamp. Releasing him would create $12 million in salary cap space, with just $2 million in dead money, according to Over The Cap. There's a slim chance both sides agree to a one-year contract extension since Valdes-Scantling was at his best in the postseason, but if the Chiefs think they can make a significant upgrade in free agency, the decision to move on from Valdes-Scantling would be understandable. The 29-year-old caught just 21 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 games during the 2023 regular season and will turn 30 in October.
Feb 24, 2024 1:51 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice (hamstring) practiced in full on Tuesday and looks ready to play in his first career postseason contest on Saturday against the visiting Miami Dolphins. Marquez Valdes-Scantling (oblique) was also a full participant. The Chiefs chose to rest their leading receiver in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 3 seed already locked up. After a slow start in his rookie campaign, the 23-year-old eventually became quarterback Patrick Mahomes' go to receiver, other than tight end Travis Kelce. He finished with 79 receptions, 938 yards and seven touchdowns and will be plenty attractive in DFS with a DraftKings price of $6,600 while going up against a banged-up Dolphins secondary in wild-card weekend. Valdes-Scantling should be ignored.
Jan 9, 2024 7:34 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has endured a disastrous campaign in 2023, with his 21 receptions on 42 targets for 315 yards and one touchdown all signifying career-low outputs. After his snap rate was rightfully beginning to dip during the middle portion of the season, Valdes-Scantling has risen back up to 81.3% and 73.1% clips in each of his past two outings respectively. That status may actually put the 29-year-old field stretcher at risk of getting veteran's rest during Week 18's regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers with the AFC's No. 3 postseason spot set in stone for the Chiefs. Valdes-Scantling couldn't find a rhythm with big-armed superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes at any point this season, rendering it somewhat unlikely things suddenly click with backup signal-caller Blaine Gabbert in the Week 18 saddle. MVS is a Hail-Mary DFS choice.
Jan 7, 2024 12:45 AM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught two of his four targets for 22 yards in the Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills. MVS continued to be a non-factor in fantasy football, so he remains on the fantasy radar. At this point in the season, Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce are the only two Chiefs pass-catchers with fantasy football upside. The Chiefs head into an AFC contest with the New England Patriots to try and get back on track ahead of the NFL playoffs.
Dec 11, 2023 2:45 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is yet to mesh with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2023, administering four catches (five targets) for 61 yards across Weeks 1 and 2. The 24-year-old at least hopes in Week 3 versus the Chicago Bears to run into the coverage of struggling 2023 second-rounder Tyrique Stevenson, who was dwarfed by Mike Evans and company in Week 2 for a 5/140/1 receiving line against him. Stevenson also had trouble defending a short-handed Green Bay Packers receiving corps in the season opener for a 3/42/1 line opposing him. Valdes-Scantling could draw a few extra looks if Kadarius Toney (toe) is missing or limited on Sunday, considering the latter has commanded 10 targets on a mere 28 routes despite his well-known struggles. MVS participated in 87% of K.C.'s offensive snaps a week ago, but he would only be Hail Mary WR4 recourse whether Toney is active or not.
Sep 23, 2023 9:44 PM EST
Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling managed to lead the Kansas City Chiefs in receiving with 48 yards on two receptions during Week 1 versus the Detroit Lions. The 28-year-old only earned two targets over his 33 routes run, however, and hasn't been able to regularly command quarterback Patrick Mahomes' attention in his Chiefs career. With Travis Kelce (knee) looking ready to rock for Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Valdes-Scantling is a boom-or-bust WR4 without a ton of pop after eclipsing 70 yards only three times in 17 regular-season games last season. MVS seems to be a more a valuable real-life presence at this point as a space creator for Kelce in the short and intermediate levels of the field.
Sep 15, 2023 7:28 PM EST