RADIO
Erin Lee analyzes some second year NFL wide receivers and discusses whether they are due for a sophomore slump, or an increase in their fantasy football value.
I recently took a look at three sophomore quarterbacks and five sophomore wide receivers, and their fantasy football outlooks in 2014. This time around, we’ll look at another crop of sophomore wide receivers, and check out their fantasy potential and outlooks for the upcoming season. These wide receivers may range from fantasy football stars to sleepers or busts, but all should be considered and accounted for as part of your 2014 draft strategy.
Terrance Williams, WR - Dallas Cowboys
Terrance Williams finished the 2013 season with 44 receptions, 736 yards and an impressive five touchdowns. Now that Miles Austin is out of the way, there’s less competition in the receiving core for Dallas, opening the door for Williams to increase his production.
He’s the clear-cut WR2 for the Cowboys, and should be able to improve upon his consistency by reducing mental mistakes. Further enhancing his value is his QB, Tony Romo, who is a great guy to have under center if you want to have a successful sophomore campaign. The biggest concern with Williams will always be targets, as he plays alongside Dez Bryant with Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray also in the mix, but he has the talent to keep Romo’s attention as defenses focus on his veteran teammates. Overall, Williams should impress in his second year in the league and make for a solid WR3 at minimum, and possibly a low end WR2.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR - Houston Texans
In his rookie season with the Houston Texans, DeAndre Hopkins had 52 receptions, 802 yards, and two touchdowns. He was highly inconsistent, but that was more a result of a messy quarterback situation than a lack of talent. With a more stable quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick and a full NFL season behind him, Hopkins' clear athletic ability should lead to improved fantasy numbers.
The question marks surrounding Andre Johnson only add to the possibility of Hopkins taking on an increased role. Though it seems likely that Johnson will eventually rejoin the team despite missing OTA’s, every day the Texans spend without Johnson in practice is a chance for Hopkins to shine as a leader. If Johnson does return, his double-coverage will give Hopkins more space to make plays. With or without Johnson, Hopkins is worth drafting and should be a solid WR3 or WR4 depending on the matchup.
Aaron Dobson, WR - New England Patriots
Aaron Dobson was one of the key pieces of Tom Brady’s “new” Patriot receiving core in 2013, finishing with 37 receptions, 519 yards, and four touchdowns. After Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski fell victim to injuries, the title of “top receiver” for Brady was up for grabs. Dobson proved to be a strong vertical threat, but didn’t do enough to truly separate himself from the pack before struggling through the end of the season with an injury of his own.
Off-season surgery on his foot and a slower-than-planned recovery leaves him as a pretty big question mark at this point. He certainly has the size and ability to be a play-maker for the Patriots, especially if Gronkowski and Amendola continue to be plagued with injuries. His impact will depend on his ability to rebound from surgery and regain Brady’s confidence in time for the season. Having Brady under center should provide him with every opportunity to produce, but he’s a risky draft pick until we can see if he is back to 100%.
Kenny Stills, WR - New Orleans Saints
Finishing the season with 32 receptions, 641 yards and five touchdowns, Kenny Stills showed off plenty of athleticism and talent despite being a part of a crowded Saints receiving core. He made it clear that he was ready to capitalize on the targets he did get, but will need to increase that number in 2014 in order to really make an impact.
With the way Drew Brees tends to spread out the targets, it’s hard to count on anybody besides Jimmy Graham to haul in the fantasy points on a consistent basis. Lucky for Stills, both Lance Moore and Darren Sproles are out of the picture this season, leaving more breathing room in the wideout pool. Many people will point to rookie newcomer Brandin Cooks as a possible breakout candidate, but Stills' experience and rapport with Brees make him a more attractive candidate. Stills should be available in the later rounds, and is a solid sleeper with huge upside if he can stay healthy and take advantage of an increase in targets.
Robert Woods, WR - Buffalo Bills
Another talented rookie who faced a messy quarterback situation and injuries in 2014, Woods finished the year with 40 receptions, 587 yards, and three touchdowns. With E.J. Manuel set to start a full season, barring an unforeseen injury, it’s time to see what Woods can do with more consistency under center.
Rookie WR Sammy Watkins is generating plenty of buzz as a possible breakout star for the Bills, but he likely needs some time to find chemistry with Manuel before he can truly play to his full potential. Woods already has a year of work under his belt, a year in which he proved himself to be a reliable target. He should continue to develop in his sophomore year, and should benefit from the attention that Watkins will inevitably draw from opposing defenses. He’s worth considering as a late round sleeper as this young team looks to have a big year.
