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Dynasty Dialogue - 2014 (Wide Receivers)


darin3
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Alright folks, here we go with the group we have all been waiting for. It's widely known that QB and WR is the strength of this class. RB has come on as of late but WR is still a very, very good group. With the NFL becoming even more dependent on passing, it's critical that dynasty teams load up with very good WRs. There are plenty of cats in this group that can make instant impacts (as always, dependent on where they land). So without further ado...

 

Tier 1 - The Studs

 

1. Sammy Watkins (Clemson): This guy has been on dynasty owners' radars for a couple years now. As a freshman he was a superstud. Some think he's on the small side, but he rates favorably in that regard to a guy like Roddy White. Size issues or not, the guy is a game-breaker with incredible first-step quickness and excellent hands. He's part possession guy, part dazzler. There's no doubt he'll make an instant impact, pretty much wherever he goes.

 

2. Mike Evans (Texas A&M): The next big "jump ball" WR in the NFL. He has more than adequate height at 6'5" and has a solid frame (225 lbs.). He's comparing favorably to Vincent Jackson in the way he's able to dominate physically but still have better than average speed/quickness. That said, his speed/quickness are not what he'll be known for at the next level. No elite speed here. I don't think you're looking at a dominating force like Megatron, but a solid WR1/2 type in the next few years? Sure.

 

Tier 2 - Could be Studs

 

3. Marqise Lee (USC): I would put this guy in the sure fire stud category but I have a little doubt. Not much, just a little. He's 190 lbs. and has had some injury concerns. Plus, his production has been all over the place. He'll show potential to be a #1 WR and then will fade a bit. But he's big enough, definitely strong for his size and quickness that doesn't quit. He's the kind of guy that in the right situation could blow up big time. In another type of situation he may need a couple/few years. That's why I have him in the second tier... but he could easily jump up with Watkins/Evans if his combine numbers are off the charts and/or gets drafted into a nice situation.

 

4. Odell Beckham Jr. (LSU): I had Beckham lower on my list as of last week but the more I read the more I like. I watched plenty of LSU football the past few years and it's obvious the guy is a game-breaker with big-play ability. But honestly, I focused more on Jarvis Landry since he looked more NFL-ready. While that may be true, Beckham's ceiling is WAY higher than Landry's, although his floor may be significantly lower. But since we're ranking based on dynasty prospects here, Beckham's value greatly outweighs Landry's and even a few others on this list that many have much higher. I draft (and rank) based on a player's ceiling, for the most part. He's smooth with great acceleration and overall speed. He's got great body control and vision, which will increase his potential for big plays. Some scouts are likening him to Cecil Shorts. I hope he ends up like that rather than Mike Wallace.

 

TIer 3 - Solid Contributors with Some Upside

 

5. Allen Robinson (Penn St.): I like this guy enough but am not doing cartwheels. It's a positive that he played in a pro style offense for Bill O'Brien. He has solid ball skills and adequate quickness for his size (6'3", 210 lbs.). He's a name you may not even know, but he was the WR of the year in the Big 10 in both 2012 and 2013. He's a good athlete with the frame to put on more pounds to get stronger/more physical. There's no serious top-end speed here but he'll be productive in the NFL.

 

6. Kelvin Benjamin (Florida St.): OK I may be a little crazy here since this guy is getting the "Baby Megatron" moniker, but there are some holes in his game. He's shown that he can get a case of the dropsies and there could just as easily be "Fat Mike Williams" comparisons. But this dude is a freak. Like Megatron, he has an unreal size/speed combo (6'5", 235 lbs. with a 4.55 40) and will be a red zone threat in the NFL. If his combine numbers are up to snuff or shine, he could easily jump Robinson in my rankings and enter that next tier. Heck, given the right situation he could be in the top tier.

 

7. Jordan Matthews (Vanderbilt): If you're not a gambling man in your dynasty drafts, there's probably no safer pick (at any position) than Matthews. This guy is 100% NFL-ready in terms of his ability to run crisp routes and catch the ball both in chain-moving situations as well as making big plays. Look, Vanderbilt is in the SEC and is hardly a powerhouse. You see what Zac Stacy has turned out to be. Matthews is probably a safer bet than Stacy. He lacks elite speed but does have excellent hands and can play on the outside or be shifted into the slot (even at 6'3", which doesn't fit the typical slot WR mold). Oh, and his cousin is some dude named Jerry Rice.

 

Tier 4 - Will Need to Land in a Great Spot to Contribute Within 2-3 Years

 

8. Jarvis Landry (LSU): As discussed above, Landry is the more NFL-ready of the LSU WR pair. He plays MUCH bigger/stronger than his 6'1", 195 lb. frame suggests. He is a tough kid who isn't afraid to go over the middle and utilize his above-average hands. He's ultra-physical, which is sort of odd given his height/weight combo. He compares favorably to an Eric Decker type, who obviously has thrived given his situation. Landry will likely be no different. But the pedigree is there and has the physical tools and past coaching to succeed at the next level.

 

9. Brandin Cooks (Oregon St.): Careful here, folks. Cooks is your classic Pac-12 WR that may have inflated stats based on the offense he played in and the defenses he faced on Saturdays. He did win the Biletnikoff this year after posting sick stats (128!! receptions for 1,730 yards). He's a smooth and fluid runner with excellent quickness and overall speed (4.5 40). But he lacks size and will therefore get the Tavon Austin tag. He's got some toughness but will elect to run out of bounds rather than try to extend the play. But we'll add him to the top-10 in this tier based on his athletic gifts and obvious ability to catch the ball and make big plays.

 

10. Jared Abbrederis (Wisconsin): Gotta have a "pesky white guy" on this list, right? LOL... But yeah, Abbrederis is shooting up many experts' boards based on his fluid route running and unexpected quickness. But he's only an average athlete (was a walk-on at Wisconsin) that doesn't have ideal size or straight-line speed. But then again, look at Wes Welker and guys like Julian Edelman, etc. There are places for guys like this, especially in the current NFL landscape. He's going to be a good slot/possession guy in the NFL.

 

Other Names To Watch

 

Davante Adams (Fresno St.), Donte Moncrief (Ole Miss), Mike Davis (Texas), Bruce Ellington (South Carolina), Martavis Bryant (Clemson)

 

Have at it... :pc:

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  • 2 weeks later...

Kevin Norwood from Alabama is looking solid in today's Senior Bowl. He was overshadowed by Amari Cooper and was hamstrung by a turf toe injury while at Alabama, but he's got nice size (6'2", 200 with frame to build a little more) and is excellent at plucking the ball out of the air.

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Has anyone seen Sammy Watkins actually run a route? I'm borderline in love with this guy, but it's distressing how much of him is about catching a screen or a 3 yard seam route and turning it upfield. I love his ball skills too, but does the guy actually possess a full route tree?

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The guy I'm targeting in rookie drafts this year is Jordan Mathews. I will certainly not kick myself if I can get him in the 3rd round.

 

 

Assuming a 12-team league, that's 36+ picks deep... I seriously doubt that's gonna happen, chief... regardless of where he lands.

 

Has anyone seen Sammy Watkins actually run a route? I'm borderline in love with this guy, but it's distressing how much of him is about catching a screen or a 3 yard seam route and turning it upfield. I love his ball skills too, but does the guy actually possess a full route tree?

 

 

Coming out of HS, route-running was one of his strengths according to what I've read. However, more recent reports said he could use some "polish" in terms of that skill.

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Welp...looks like I'm gonna have to trade up then. :wink:

 

 

He may not have the sick physical tools of a guy like Watkins or Lee, but he's probably the safest WR in terms of dynasty value in this class. Heck, he may be the safest player period. Perfect for a dynasty squad that's already established that wants to add what should amount to a WR2 with a floor of WR3.

Edited by darin3
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tazinib1, on 25 January 2014 - 06:23 PM, said:

 

The guy I'm targeting in rookie drafts this year is Jordan Mathews. I will certainly not kick myself if I can get him in the 3rd round.

 

darin3, on 26 January 2014 - 10:47 AM, said:

Assuming a 12-team league, that's 36+ picks deep... I seriously doubt that's gonna happen, chief... regardless of where he lands.

 

 

 

actually 3.01 is the 25th pick, 3.12 is 36

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