RADIO
The fantasy football stock market for wide receivers has no offseason.
There were so many wide receivers to talk about whose fantasy stock in dynasty leagues has either skyrocketed or plummeted this offseason that I had to split it into two columns. This is what happens in the pass-happy NFL these days. Whether it is a new offensive coordinator or quarterback who could help a receiver pad his stats, or a newly-drafted teammate that might take a receiver’s targets, there is a lot of volatility when it comes to receivers’ fantasy value during the summer months.
Here are two wide receivers whose fantasy stock in dynasty leagues has risen this offseason, and two wide receivers whose fantasy stock has fallen:
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Dynasty Stock Rising
These wide receivers have seen their dynasty value rise since last season ended and could be worth buying now.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
2018 Stats: 70 receptions, 965 yards, 10 TD
Lockett was easily Seattle’s most productive pass catcher in 2018 as he set new career-highs across the board in every major fantasy category. He is no longer a role receiver, he is primed to be the main man. Lockett has only missed one game over his first four NFL seasons despite his slot-receiver size (5’10”, 182)
Now that quarterback Russell Wilson’s favorite target Doug Baldwin has seemingly called it quits due to a myriad of injuries, Lockett is the clear-cut No. 1 WR in Seattle. There is nobody else in his vicinity. 2019 Second-round pick DK Metcalf has a lot of raw skill and physical ability, but he may not make an immediate impact until his second season, and David Moore is a home-run hitter who will never approach the target total Lockett will receive. Lockett could be looking at 80-100 targets and will have Seattle’s passing attack revolve around him after signing a long-term deal. The best is yet to come in future years for the speedy, shifty Lockett.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2018 Stats: 59 receptions, 842 yards, 7 TD
Godwin is primed to have a breakout season in 2019 now that he has been officially elevated from Tampa Bay’s No. 3 WR to its No. 2 since disgruntled DeSean Jackson has taken his talents back to Philadelphia. Superb slot receiver Adam Humphries has also left for greener and richer pastures in Tennessee. Godwin will now play second-fiddle to Mike Evans in Tampa Bay’s passing attack, and his fantasy owners in dynasty league have to be happier than Shannon Sharpe is when he is behind a microphone.
Tampa Bay has had a pass-first offense the past couple seasons (fourth in pass attempts in 2018, third in 2017) and that should not change considering Bruce Arians is the new head coach and the Bucs failed to upgrade their running back corps in the offseason and have plodder Peyton Barber as their top tailback again. The Jameis Winston downfield darts that do not head Evans’ way will probably be headed in Godwin’s direction. If Godwin does not haul in 70 passes for 1,000 yards this season it will be a downright disappointment, and at age 23 he could very well be a fantasy cornerstone in dynasty leagues for years to come.
Dynasty Stock Falling
These wide receivers have seen their dynasty value fall since last season ended and should be sold or cut from rosters.
Phillip Dorsett, New England Patriots
2018 Stats: 32 receptions, 290 yards, 3 TD
Dorsett was of no use to fantasy players during the regular season with his paltry numbers and 9.1 yards per catch, but he was a low-cost hero in fantasy playoff leagues thanks to catching touchdown tosses from Tom Brady in each of New England’s AFC playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl LII. Then when tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his retirement, many dynasty owners probably thought that opened a door for Dorsett to get more targets in 2019.
Well, New England drafting N’Keal Harry in the first round this April closed Dorsett’s door, and the subsequent signings of veteran receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dontrelle Inman might help slam it shut. While Dorsett has the advantage of knowing New England’s intricate offense, he has never proven to be more than a No. 3 receiver who scores the occasional touchdown. Thinking he can give fantasy owners 700-900 yards per season the next couple years just because he scored a couple postseason touchdowns and Gronk retired is ridiculous. Pencil him in for 500 yards and four touchdowns, which will not win anybody a fantasy league next season.
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
2018 Stats: 63 receptions, 736 yards, 4 TD
Agholor was shaping up to be the bust of all busts after his first two NFL seasons, but after posting back-to-back 700-yard years and grabbing a dozen touchdown passes during that span he has transformed into a competent receiver. If Agholor was on a different team in a different situation, he could possibly blossom into a receiver who could deliver 800-1,000 yards on a yearly basis and be a solid annual contributor in dynasty leagues. The kid is only 26 years old, so there is room for growth for sure.
Philadelphia decided that bringing back former hero DeSean Jackson for a second go-round would be a good idea, and the Eagles also selected JJ Arcega-Whiteside in the second round of this past April’s NFL draft. Agholor was No. 3 in Philly’s passing pecking order behind Zach Ertz and Alshon Jeffery as it was. Now Agholor could be a high-priced odd-man out in the receiver rotation. Unless the Eagles trade or release Agholor, his fantasy stock has nowhere to go but down because of these offseason developments.
