Greg

Dortch

Gannon gushed about the fifth-year wideout, saying Dortch has. “look in his eye” and “is a gamer ... ready to buckle up and play football.” Dortch has been good when called upon during his time with the Cards. He has 76 receptions over the past two seasons for 750 yards and four touchdowns. His slot usage went from 83 percent in 2022 to 29 percent in 2023. Dortch could shape up as the team’s WR2 behind Marvin Harrison, Jr. this season if he maintains good form headed into the regular season.

Dortch is an exclusive rights free agent, and will return to the Cards on what is presumed to be a veteran minimum salary. The soon-to-be fifth-year receiver caught 24 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns last season while also returning a combined 46 punts and kicks.

Dortch finishes the 2023 season with 24 receptions for 280 yards and two touchdowns while playing more than 60 percent of the offensive snaps in seven games. He has yet to establish himself as an every-down NFL wide receiver but continues to produce moderate fantasy value when given the opportunity in his four-year NFL career.

With Marquise Brown ensconced on I.R., Dortch led the Cardinals in receiving vs. the Eagles’ terrible pass defense. No grab was bigger than his 36-yarder at the 1:26 mark of the fourth quarter. A tackle-breaking catch-and-run, Dortch set the Cardinals up at the Eagles’ five for the eventual game-winning touchdown. Today’s season-best effort comes headed into a plus Week 18 date with the Seahawks.

Dortch got a full complement of routes with Marquise Brown (heel) sidelined. As usual, he made a big play: A 38-yard house call on a short completion in the third quarter. Dortch is only fantasy relevant when the Cardinals are banged up at wide receiver. He could be interesting in Week 17 against the Eagles if Brown remains out.

Greg Dortch, meanwhile, is iffy to suit up against the Bears as he deals with shoulder issue. Brown hasn’t been at full health for quite a while, and has left recent games for long stretches with various ailments. Look for Michael Wilson and Trey McBride to be targeted heavily against Chicago. Rotoworld’s Denny Carter wrote about the matchup in Week 16’s Funnel Defense Report.

Both Brown and fellow wide receiver Greg Dortch have yet to practice this week as the Cardinals prepare to take on the Bears in Chicago. Brown managed only 32 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 15 while dealing with the same heel injury, making it likely he carries an injury designation into the weekend unless he’s able to return to a full practice Friday.

Hollywood left Arizona’s Week 15 loss to the 49ers early and did not return. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the Cardinals need a healthy Brown “to help us win,” which could indicate that they want to limit his practice reps so that he can be healthy on Sunday. Or it means they want Brown to be healthy next year when they have a clean slate and more chances to win. We’ll have to see whether he’s able to get on the field Thursday or not, but with fellow receiver Greg Dortch also banged up, Michael Wilson could emerge as a WR3 option for the fantasy football semi-finals in a matchup against the Bears.

Dortch made his one grab count, mossing Steelers CB Joey Porter to convert a third quarter third down. He deserved more than three targets, but the Cardinals attempted only 23 passes as they rode the run game in rainy conditions. Dortch continues to catch Kyler Murray’s attention, but he has a rough Week 15 matchup when the Cardinals return from bye against the 49ers.

Wilson sustained a setback to his shoulder injury two weeks ago and has not practiced since. The Cardinals’ receivers are banged up headed into Week 13, with Marquise Brown iffy with a heel injury. Greg Dortch could be a volume-based WR2 option if Brown and Wilson are out this week.