Rookie Class 2017 - Wide Receivers
Anyone who's dabbled in the DFS scenes knows how a deep sleeper often stands between raking in the winnings, or watching someone else do it.
The rookies don't always make the biggest impact season-long, but as always there are exceptions. While I don't believe in taking any rookie WR off the board early in snake drafts, or paying mid-range or higher in auction formats, there are typically bargains to be had if you know what you're looking at or for.
So let's break down the rookie class and see what they have to offer. I'm not going through all of them, but focusing on the ones that are believed to relevant for fantasy purposes.
1. Corey Davis - Tennessee Titans
Of the new class, this touchdown juggernaut may be one of the more relevant names to mention. He led the Mid-American Conference in receiving yards. He maintained a high-volume workload all four years of college. On tape, he's not the greatest route-runner, but he tracks the ball well. Had 16 drops in the last 3 years of college. Davis may be headed for WR1 volume early on in the season.
2. Mike Williams - LA Chargers
Last year with DeShaun Watson at the helm, Williams put up several highlight-reel plays on his way to 84 receptions totaling 1,171 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's a natural pass catcher with excellent hands and an over-the-top red-zone approach. He had a serious neck injury that kept him out of 2015 season, so that's a bit of a red flag to keep an eye on. Overall, he's the exact kind of receiver that can compliment Philip Rivers play style. If Keenan Allen is healthy, Williams could easily be a WR2.
3. John Ross - Cincinnati Bengals
By NFL wide receiver standards, Ross is on the smaller side at 5'11" and 188 pounds. He put up 1,150 yards and 17 scores last season. He has some afterburners that can turn a mid-route to a 6 points real quick. Can be an immediate weapon from kick returning to lining up from the slot. Ross seems likely to step in and be a volume heavy slot receiver, or a decoy that can't be ignored in the red zone with AJ Green on the other side. He figures to be in the WR2 mix.
4. Zay Jones - Buffalo Bills
Zay has football in his genes. Son of a Superbowl winning linebacker for the Cowboys in 90's. His character and football IQ have never been in question. Set NCAA record in total receptions for a career. He's a fast separation style receiver and will have to improve his overall speed to be successful at the NFL level. He's got good hands and he's not afraid to go over the middle to catch a pass in traffic. Not much in the yards after contact category. He'll be worth keeping an eye on, especially if he can improve on his speed and separation. He figures to be in the WR3 mix with a WR2 touchdown upside.
5. Curtis Samuel - Carolina Panthers
Samuel is an electric type of player that can have an impact no matter how the ball gets to his hands. Has shown speed from the half-back position and solid route running. He also dabbled with punt returning. While it's doubtful that he'll play all those positions interchangeably in the NFL as he did in college. While he works on route-running at the NFL speed he could see some work immediately as a kick returner and possibly lining up from the slot. Possible WR3 with kick return touchdown upside.
6. JuJu Smith-Schuster - Pittsburgh Steelers
Smith-Schuster has been referred to as a smaller version of Mike Williams. Good target with no hesitation going over the middle to haul one in. While on the slower side, he seems to a solid target if the ball is anywhere close. Could be a dangerous WR3/4 and a solid compliment to an already dangerous Steelers receiving corps.
7. Cooper Kupp - LA Rams
Another rookie with NFL lineage, Kupp has that seeming natural talent at WR that teams are looking for. He had plenty of accolades at the college level despite being only average speed. Early in his career look for him to start out as WR3/4 and build his way up to some solid, efficient production levels as he grows comfortable at the NFL level. The other big question mark is having a solid QB throwing to him. Could be a sneaky deep sleeper for 12-14 team leagues and a matchup dependent DFS option later in the season.
8. Taywan Taylor - Tennessee Titans
Taylor has that quickness that can turn a bubble screen into positive yardage in a hurry. Projected to be a slot-only receiver, he may see limited work while he adjusts to route-running at the NFL level. He has an explosive quality in open field situations that could prove to up his value and playtime. He's been drawing comparisons to the likes of Stefon Diggs. Consider him in the WR4/5 mix.
9. Carlos Henderson - Denver Broncos
Henderson has the versatility factor going for him as a rusher and a catch-and-run style of receiver. He also showed some success from special teams as a returner. He'll be joining the Broncos so there is a question mark as to how they'll utilize his talents. He's another rookie that may have benefited from another year in college. Hard to gauge his usage and impact until we see something from him during the season. Possibly a WR4/5 with some potential as a returner.
Next week I will be breaking down the top rookie running backs so stay tuned for more pre-pre-season fantasy information!
The rookies don't always make the biggest impact season-long, but as always there are exceptions. While I don't believe in taking any rookie WR off the board early in snake drafts, or paying mid-range or higher in auction formats, there are typically bargains to be had if you know what you're looking at or for.
So let's break down the rookie class and see what they have to offer. I'm not going through all of them, but focusing on the ones that are believed to relevant for fantasy purposes.
1. Corey Davis - Tennessee Titans
Of the new class, this touchdown juggernaut may be one of the more relevant names to mention. He led the Mid-American Conference in receiving yards. He maintained a high-volume workload all four years of college. On tape, he's not the greatest route-runner, but he tracks the ball well. Had 16 drops in the last 3 years of college. Davis may be headed for WR1 volume early on in the season.
2. Mike Williams - LA Chargers
Last year with DeShaun Watson at the helm, Williams put up several highlight-reel plays on his way to 84 receptions totaling 1,171 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's a natural pass catcher with excellent hands and an over-the-top red-zone approach. He had a serious neck injury that kept him out of 2015 season, so that's a bit of a red flag to keep an eye on. Overall, he's the exact kind of receiver that can compliment Philip Rivers play style. If Keenan Allen is healthy, Williams could easily be a WR2.
3. John Ross - Cincinnati Bengals
By NFL wide receiver standards, Ross is on the smaller side at 5'11" and 188 pounds. He put up 1,150 yards and 17 scores last season. He has some afterburners that can turn a mid-route to a 6 points real quick. Can be an immediate weapon from kick returning to lining up from the slot. Ross seems likely to step in and be a volume heavy slot receiver, or a decoy that can't be ignored in the red zone with AJ Green on the other side. He figures to be in the WR2 mix.
4. Zay Jones - Buffalo Bills
Zay has football in his genes. Son of a Superbowl winning linebacker for the Cowboys in 90's. His character and football IQ have never been in question. Set NCAA record in total receptions for a career. He's a fast separation style receiver and will have to improve his overall speed to be successful at the NFL level. He's got good hands and he's not afraid to go over the middle to catch a pass in traffic. Not much in the yards after contact category. He'll be worth keeping an eye on, especially if he can improve on his speed and separation. He figures to be in the WR3 mix with a WR2 touchdown upside.
5. Curtis Samuel - Carolina Panthers
Samuel is an electric type of player that can have an impact no matter how the ball gets to his hands. Has shown speed from the half-back position and solid route running. He also dabbled with punt returning. While it's doubtful that he'll play all those positions interchangeably in the NFL as he did in college. While he works on route-running at the NFL speed he could see some work immediately as a kick returner and possibly lining up from the slot. Possible WR3 with kick return touchdown upside.
6. JuJu Smith-Schuster - Pittsburgh Steelers
Smith-Schuster has been referred to as a smaller version of Mike Williams. Good target with no hesitation going over the middle to haul one in. While on the slower side, he seems to a solid target if the ball is anywhere close. Could be a dangerous WR3/4 and a solid compliment to an already dangerous Steelers receiving corps.
7. Cooper Kupp - LA Rams
Another rookie with NFL lineage, Kupp has that seeming natural talent at WR that teams are looking for. He had plenty of accolades at the college level despite being only average speed. Early in his career look for him to start out as WR3/4 and build his way up to some solid, efficient production levels as he grows comfortable at the NFL level. The other big question mark is having a solid QB throwing to him. Could be a sneaky deep sleeper for 12-14 team leagues and a matchup dependent DFS option later in the season.
8. Taywan Taylor - Tennessee Titans
Taylor has that quickness that can turn a bubble screen into positive yardage in a hurry. Projected to be a slot-only receiver, he may see limited work while he adjusts to route-running at the NFL level. He has an explosive quality in open field situations that could prove to up his value and playtime. He's been drawing comparisons to the likes of Stefon Diggs. Consider him in the WR4/5 mix.
9. Carlos Henderson - Denver Broncos
Henderson has the versatility factor going for him as a rusher and a catch-and-run style of receiver. He also showed some success from special teams as a returner. He'll be joining the Broncos so there is a question mark as to how they'll utilize his talents. He's another rookie that may have benefited from another year in college. Hard to gauge his usage and impact until we see something from him during the season. Possibly a WR4/5 with some potential as a returner.
Next week I will be breaking down the top rookie running backs so stay tuned for more pre-pre-season fantasy information!
Comments
Post a Comment