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The 2014 rookie wide receiver class was the best in recent memory. While only time will tell if the great young receivers of 2014 will compare to the prolific careers of 1996 greats like Terrell Owens, Marvin Harrison and Keyshawn Johnson, it's safe to assume that some second year guys will make a big impact next season and for seasons to come.
This list will try to predict the top 10 fantasy finishers amongst the wide receiver sophomores of 2015. It will take into account factors like the quality of the offense, particularly the Quarterback. Behold the bold, the questionable, and the predictable predictions for the 2014 WR class.
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1) Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
Forget rookies. Beckham was one of the most dominant receivers in the game after coming back from a four week absence to start the season. He was top-3 in the league in receptions, yards and TDs after week 4. Plus, no wide out in the NFL can compare to Beckham's acrobatic ability on the field. This guy can catch any ball thrown within 10 yards of him. Although it's unclear what type of ability Eli Manning will display heading into 2015, Beckham should be beyond solid alongside Victor Cruz in the Giants' high-flying offense.
2) Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers
In terms of pure wide receiver athleticism, Benjamin is as good as they come. At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, there are few defensive backs who can swat a ball away from his reaching hands. The only problem is, sometimes they don't have to. Benjamin's 11 dropped passes was bested only by Mohamed Sanu in 2014. Dropped passes will ruin chemistry between a quarterback and his receivers very quickly. But, if Cam Newton can take a lesson from Matthew Stafford and throw the ball up high for his big boy on the right side, future success is imminent. Benjamin is the only credible receiver on the team and Newton's got the arm to set up some big plays and some big numbers in 2015.
3) Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
With only 38 targets, Adams received the least attention of any player on this list in 2014. A few key thoughts make him stand out going into his next campaign. First and foremost, he's got Aaron Rodgers throwing him the freaking ball. That has to count for a lot. Unfortunately, there are two Pro Bowl caliber receivers in front of him, each of whom set an NFL record in 2014 with 90 receptions, 1,200 yards and 12 TDs. Rodgers and the Packers coaching staff have made it clear that Adams will be awarded a bigger part of the receiving pie in years to come. When Green Bay faces teams with dominant secondaries (see the Patriots game, week 13), Adams becomes an unstoppable threat in the slot and along the sidelines to boot. Adams didn't have a chance to do much in 2014. But given the chance, he can (and will) compete among the top dogs next year.
4) Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans is the 2014 wide receiver version of Doug Martin. He's a Buccaneer, displays insane upside potential, and rose to fame based on a three week sample of dominance. Weeks 9 to 11 showed that Evans could compete with the big boys. Aside from that small sample size, there's not much else to say. Well, there is the fact that he was second among all rookie receivers in yards, fourth in receptions, and tied with Beckham for most rookie TDs. But again, that was mostly comprised by three weeks of absolute dominance, causing a residual salivation that remains among fantasy owners going into this year's draft. Look, Evans is a beast. But with Tampa's quarterback situation unsure, not to mention the plethora of other factors wrong with that team, one would be wise to be weary of Evans' stock in 2015.
5) Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
As the top chosen wide out in the 2014 draft, Watkins did not disappoint with the Bills last year. Well, he did a little bit. His 65 receptions in 2014 were good for sixth among rookie receivers. He didn't eclipse 1000 yards on the season. That's okay. Most rookie receivers are not expected to break such a stellar mark. But, when a team with a lot of holes to fill trades up in the first round of the draft to land a receiver whilst three of his rookie comrades surpass him in receiving yards, it qualifies as a bit of a disappointment. Watkins is a monster receiver and should continue to be a freakishly talented wide out for years to come. But it's just not happening with the Bills. Not with E.J. Manuel or whoever else the management in Buffalo gets to replace him. Out of the 124 targets Watkins received last year, only 70 of them were catchable, as per Pro Football Focus. That number is doubtful to improve in 2015. Expect decent numbers from Watkins in his next campaign. Don't hope for anything spectacular.
6) Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts
This guy is the next T.Y. Hilton. Well that's not the boldest claim, considering he plays alongside Hilton and has the same quarterback throwing deep bombs his way. With Reggie Wayne finally out of town, the Colts offense, which led the league in passing in 2014, will be soaring towards the hands of Hilton and Moncrief. Based off only 32 targets last year, Moncrief ranked third among rookies in WR rating. He's a very real deep threat. He is the epitome of a high-risk, high-reward choice for this year's draft. Moncrief's numbers thus far are nothing to drool over. It's a safe bet that Andrew Luck will make them drool-worthy eventually.
7) Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers
Martavis Bryant is largely similar to Moncrief. Andrew Luck is largely similar to a younger Ben Roethlisberger - think about it. Bryant was a third-stringer in a superabundant passing offense in Pittsburgh and didn't receive nearly enough targets to compensate for his skill level. Still, with only 26 receptions on the year, he managed eight TD grabs. Almost one third of his receptions ended up in the end-zone. That's nuts. He's proven himself as one of Big Ben's favorite receivers in the red zone. As a cemented component of the Steelers offense heading into 2015, Bryant is poised to make a big splash early on with a refreshed Roethlisberger at QB.
8) Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins
Landry was solid in 2014. In fact, it's rare to find a receiver as consistent as this guy. Landry was second only to Beckham in rookie receptions, ranked top-eight in yards, TDs and WR rating and there's aboslutely no reason to believe he should be lower than #8 on this list. There's no reason Ryan Tannehill would be worse than last year. There's good reason to believe the Dolphins will be better, overall, than in years past. You know exactly what you will be getting with Landry. He's the least exciting guy on the list, but probably the most reliable.
9) Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles
Matthews ranked top five among all rookies in all the major WR counting stats: TDs, receptions, yards and WR rating. As the season went on, he became a larger part of Chip Kelly's fast-paced offense and showed true top-tier talent out on the wings. But the Eagles offense underwent an overhaul-style makeover this offseason and barely resembles the 2014 squad. The uncertainty surrounding Sam Bradford at the helms takes some value away from Matthews, who would be more profitable with Nick Foles and his strong arm. Whether you think Kelly is a genius or a moron, one should expect some growing pains for the Eagles offense in 2015. Even if Philadelphia can pull it off, it's hard to imagine the Bradford-to-Matthews combination being an elite situation going forward.
10) John Brown, Arizona Cardinals
I was going to give this spot to Brandin Cooks, but Brandin Cooks can't do this.
I don't like much about the Cardinals or Saints offenses right now. But with a potentially healthy Carson Palmer in 2015, Arizona could get back on track next year, with Brown a major beneficiary of the action. He was top 10 in major rookie receiving stats and he's got the upside and acrobatics for the 2015 season.
Honorable Mention: Jacksonville Jaguars Receivers
Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee all showed flashes of brilliance in their rookie campaigns. Anyone who is able to show a faint glimmer of brilliance in Jacksonville's offense should be commended. Essentially, the entire offense, including quarterback Blake Bortles, is heading into a collective sophomore season. The 2014 third overall draft pick will have an arsenal of young receivers again this year, all with a year of NFL experience under their belts. Unfortunately, none of these guys alone show true individual breakout potential. Lee is likely the most talented of the whole bunch based on his collegiate accolades. But until Lee, or anyone else, proves he can break the threshold of relevance, none are valuable fantasy options at this time.
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