Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receiver (Part 2)
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Tier 10: Rookies
As I mentioned in the Cooks post, only 4 rookie WRs have broken 1,000 yards their first season. I think all of these guys have a chance to get there and at least provide 5+ TDs if they don’t. I always like to have at least 1 high-upside rookie on my roster just in case they break out and any of these guys are a good choice.
45.) Sammy Watkins, Bills – If only he were on a team with a semi-decent QB, he would be much higher on my rankings. After watching 2 preseason games worth of E.J. Manuel, I doubt I will have any non-Spiller Bills on my rosters. Maybe once the season starts he will start looking off safeties, going through his progressions, and actually making accurate passes. If he doesn’t then Watkins is going to struggle to put up consistently useful fantasy lines.
46.) Mike Evans, Bucs – QB Josh McCown threw some pretty sweet deep balls to Alshon Jeffery last season. I could see the same arrangement with Evans this season IF the Bucs line can give McCown enough time to launch. If the O-line sacrifices McCown, backup Mike Glennon actually has a better arm, so the odds are at some pint Evans catches a few bombs from someone.
47.) Jordan Matthews, Eagles – One of my favorite sleeper rookies, I think Matthews has a shot to contend with Cooks for offensive rookie of the year. He is smart enough to pick up the offense quickly (Vanderbilt), had good hands in college, and has the size (6’4) to be a mismatch in the slot where the Eagles are currently using him. I think 70, 1000, 7 is within reach and I have drafted him in both drafts I’ve done so far this year. I’m a fan.
48.) Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers – Interesting deep threat on a team with very little talent at the wide receiver position. Benjamin should catch his share of bombs this year, but it won’t be every week and I see some low scoring fantasy games about half the season. His route running needs a lot of work and he is basically just a jump ball guy right now. Benjamin has looked better than I expected so far this preseason, so maybe I am selling him short.
49.) Marqise Lee, Jaguars – QB issues might keep Lee from being worthy of a spot on your roster, but keep an eye on Blake Bortles if / when he takes over. Lee dropped to the 2nd round due to concerns over his knee, but he would have been a top 10 pick if he had come out after his sophomore year. The talent is there for Lee to be fantasy relevant and he could be a sleeper in the 2nd half.
50.) Allen Robinson, Jaguars – Big possession receiver who is tough to bring down after the catch. Robinson has had some injury issues so we haven’t seen much of him yet, but he could lead the Jags in catches this year. Keep an eye on the Jags QB situation, if Bortles takes over then Robinson (and Lee) could have value in the 2nd half of 2014.
51.) John Brown, Cardinals – So many similarities to T.Y. Hilton: undersized, burner, from a small school, mid-round pick, Bruce Arians as a coach… Hilton went for 50, 861, 7 as a rookie.