RADIO
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver (WR) Dede Westbrook is a fantasy football sleeper and ADP value for the 2019 season. Phil Clark breaks down Westbrook's value in fantasy drafts.
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~70 Overall
Current ADP: ~80
Dede Westbrook has not engendered the level of attention that other trendy targets such as D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Chris Godwin have captured in recent months. However, the third-year receiver's desirable blend of speed, acceleration, and dependable hands should be utilized more effectively than at any other point of his career.
Westbrook played in seven games as a rookie in 2017 (core muscle injury) collecting 27 of 51 targets for 339 yards and a touchdown. His output rose in 2018, as Westbrook led the Jaguars in multiple categories - (101 targets/66 receptions/717 receiving yards/5 touchdowns). He also performed in all 16 of Jacksonville’s matchups (77,4% snaps). However, he consistently labored within an impaired aerial attack that ranked just 26th, while being perpetually encumbered by the well-chronicled inadequacies of Blake Bortles. However, Westbrook now appears destined to be the primary beneficiary of an impending transition to Nick Foles.
Westbrook operated in the slot on 92.1% of his routes in 2018 and garnered 93 of his 101 targets while performing inside. This places him firmly within Foles’ historical comfort zone. Foles launched 70.9% of his passes in the direction of Eagle slot receivers last season, which was second only to Jared Goff. Foles should transition fluidly into a pattern of frequent dependence on Westbrook. This will provide Foles with an opportunity to deploy his most dynamic weapon, who possesses the explosiveness to accumulate significant yardage after the catch.
The departures of Donte Moncrief and T.J. Yeldon have created 167 additional targets and Westbrook will be operating within a Jaguar roster that is largely hampered by a dearth of receiving talent. Oft-injured Marqise Lee will join D.J. Chark, Chris Conley, and Keelan Colein providing competition for targets – although Cole does not appear to have the same degree of confidence from the Jaguar coaching staff. The uninspiring options at tight end (Geoff Swaim/Josh Oliver) will also be limited to inconsequential percentages of targets. This underscores Westbrook’s importance to Jacksonville’s passing attack while also presenting owners with a viable breakout option to target at his current ADP.
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
