X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Biggest Surprises of 2016 - Wide Receivers

We study. We plan. We scour the web.

Before any fantasy football season starts, we do everything we can to make our best predictions. Despite our best efforts, we're often surprised by what actually happens.

Let's take a look at some of the more surprising wide receiver performances of 2016. Understanding what happened will help our preparation for the 2017 season.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Biggest Surprises of 2016: Wide Receivers

Tyrell Williams, San Diego Chargers

Preseason ADP Rank: N/A
PPR Positional Finish: 18

An injury to Keenan Allen helped Williams get his opportunity, but he certainly did well with it. In fact, he was the Chargers top WR. He led all San Diego WRs in targets, and on a per-game basis out-targeted Travis Benjamin in 12 games, and Dontrelle Inman in 10. Keenan Allen will be back in 2017, so Williams probably won't lead the team in targets again. But Inman is a free agent, and Steve Johnson probably won't return either. Williams should still be able to get around 100 targets, and I like his chances to repeat as a WR2.

Pierre Garcon, Washington

Preseason ADP Rank: N/A
PPR Positional Finish: 22

Garcon got no love from drafters, but turned in a top-24 season. That's surprising, but maybe it shouldn't be. His 201 PPR points are less than a point per game more than the 186 he posted in 2015. He's been a consistent performer throughout his career.

Season Team G Target Tar/G FPts/G
2009 IND 15 92 6.13 9.9
2010 IND 14 118 8.43 13
2011 IND 16 134 8.38 12.7
2012 WAS 10 67 6.70 13.2
2013 WAS 16 184 11.50 17.5
2014 WAS 16 105 6.56 10.1
2015 WAS 16 111 6.94 11.6
2016 WAS 16 114 7.13 12.6
AVG: 14.9 115.6 7.7 12.6

In fact, 2016 was a very average performance for Garcon. Unfortunately, he's a free agent, and we don't know where he'll be playing in 2017. Washington was seventh in the league in pass attempts last year, so there's a good chance he ends up on a team that passes much less frequently. Still, I like him to perform similarly on a per-target basis, so keep an eye on where he ends up. A similar workload should yield similar results, which is just fine as a WR3 in PPR.

 

Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings

Preseason ADP Rank: N/A
PPR Positional Finish: 29

Another player that was off the radar before the season began, his role came about because Laquon Treadwell, Cordarelle Patterson, and Charles Johnson all failed to produce. That's one of the reasons I think Thielen is a risky bet to turn in a similar performance next year. First, Thielen's role is at risk. The Vikings will try hard to get Treadwell more involved. Patterson and Johnson are both free agents, but they could return or be replaced by another free agent or draft pick. Second, Thielen is at risk for a decline in efficiency. Only three WRs in the top 50 had fewer targets than Thielen's 92 (DeVante Parker 88, Kenny Stills 81, Tyreek Hill 83). In fact, for all WRs with 75 or more targets, Thielen was the most efficient at producing fantasy points above expectations on a per-target basis. Efficiency is not very consistent from year to year, so expect his to decline. I think he's worth a hold in deeper dynasty leagues, but I'm very cautious about his redraft outlook.

 

Cameron Meredith, Chicago Bears

Preseason ADP Rank: N/A
PPR Positional Finish: 39

Meredith is another player who took advantage of an unexpected opportunity. He's also likely to remain inexpensive. As things stand right now, we've got no idea who Chicago's quarterback will be in 2017. Combine that with their terrible team performance in 2016, and I think a lot of drafters will stay away from Meredith. But I think he's got a decent shot at a repeat performance. Whoever the Bears QB ends up being, he probably won't be worse than the combination of QBs they trotted out last year. I'm also assuming that Alshon Jeffery leaves in free agency. If he returns, then Meredith's upside is definitely limited. But if Jeffery departs, that leaves just the oft-injured Kevin White as a major competitor for targets. Meredith should be able to easily earn WR2 targets, and has a shot at WR1 targets if White disappoints.

 

Kenny Britt, Los Angeles Rams

Preseason ADP Rank: 53
PPR Positional Finish: 26

It seems like forever ago that Britt was a promising young WR. He really hadn't done much since his 2012 injury-shortened season. But in 2016 he set career highs for targets, receptions, and yards. While playing for the Rams. And catching passes from Case Keenum and Jared Goff. Britt is a free agent, so his landing spot will be important. Unlike Garcon however, Britt is likely to end up in a better situation. The Rams were just 27th in pass attempts, so wherever Britt goes, it's likely going to be a team that passes more often. Britt doesn't have Garcon's record of being consistently good. But I like his chances to produce a similar season. He's someone I'm holding in dynasty leagues, and I'll be monitoring his redraft ADP closely.

 

Cole Beasley, Dallas Cowboys

Preseason ADP Rank: 56
PPR Positional Finish: 32

I think Beasley is a great candidate to produce a similar or even better season in 2017. Hear me out. Terrance Williams and Brice Butler are free agents, and given Dallas lack of cap space, neither is likely to return. Dez Bryant has missed multiple games two years running, and has averaged under four catchers per game in consecutive seasons. Beasley will never be as good as Bryant. But I do think he's basically locked in as the Cowboys WR2, with some upside for more targets thanks to the likely loss of Williams, and if Bryant fails to stay healthy. In PPR leagues, Beasley should be a valuable commodity next year.


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylen Waddle

Good to Go For Thursday Night Football
Tucker Kraft

Suffers "Little Knee Tweak," Checks Out OK
Jaylen Waddle

Expected to Play and be a "Big Factor" on Thursday Night
Tucker Kraft

Suffers Knee Injury During Thursday's Practice
Clayton Kershaw

Will Retire at the End of the Season
Malcolm Brogdon

Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon Both Staying with the Knicks?
Detroit Pistons

Charles Bediako Agrees to a Training Camp Deal with Detroit
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery, Uncertain for Training Camp
Charlotte Hornets

DaQuan Jeffries Waived by the Hornets
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Questionable For Saturday
Braden Schneider

Limited in Training Camp
Lars Eller

Recovering From Abdominal Procedure
Nick Jensen

in Danger of Missing Start of Season
Brandon Montour

to Miss Two Weeks After Ankle Surgery
Gabriel Landeskog

a "Full Go" for the Season
Samuel Girard

Avalanche Hope to Have Samuel Girard Available for Start of Season
Mackenzie Blackwood

Out Week-to-Week
Alex Tuch

Day-to-Day With Undisclosed Injury
Jordan Greenway

to Sit Out Training Camp
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Considered Day-to-Day
Simon Edvinsson

to Miss a Couple of Weeks
Mikael Backlund

Signs Two-Year Extension
Connor Ingram

to Be Waived by Mammoth
Zach Hyman

Misses Start of Training Camp
Nick Paul

Out Until November
Kris Letang

Cleared for Training Camp
David Pastrnak

Out for Start of Training Camp
Matthew Tkachuk

Expected to Be Out Until December
NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
Brooklyn Nets

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP