Jeff Tefertiller
Footballguy
I wanted to keep these going after the fantasy season was over. I apologize for the length, but it is the offseason.
Just like any other shopping mall, this will have different products at different levels of quality and price. We will shop around at different stores that are in typical shopping malls like Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Sears, American Eagle and even the Dollar Store. We will look for products to buy, with the focus on value. Many times the expensive products are worth the price. Some times they are not. We will examine opportunities to buy at a reasonable price compared to value. The products we are purchasing are fantasy players for our dynasty team. This was a weekly article during the season. Even though the season has ended, dynasty owners are still trying to improve their teams. The Dynasty Shopping Mall will be made available in the Shark Pool for the offseason. Please feel free to shoot me a Pm or email with any feedback.
As we finish up the NFL season, this is a perfect time to look at how some of the rookie draft picks fared and determine if any are good prospects to buy. One goal is to look at underperforming rookies who could “get it” and turn into viable starting players for fantasy owners. For the first installment, the focus will be on the wide receiver class. The rookie receivers were not expected to do much, outside of Calvin Johnson. But, this has turned into a very good receiver class. One thing to keep in mind is that rookie pass catchers take time to develop. Many good NFL wideouts did nothing in their rookie seasons. The maturation process for rookies at the position varies by player and by the situation.
Dwayne Bowe – The rookie from LSU was heralded by many pre-draft experts as a top NFL and fantasy prospect. Bowe’s ability to make a big play was greatly needed by the Chiefs. He showed flashes of greatness, but his potential was overshadowed the poor quarterback play of Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. The Kansas City Chiefs are a team in transition with little receiver depth outside of Bowe and aging veteran Eddie Kennison. With Tony Gonzalez getting older, Dwayne Bowe should quickly become the focal point of the Kansas City passing game very soon. The age of the offensive line, combined with the poor play at quarterback, translate into the Chiefs relying heavily on Larry Johnson and on their promising young pass catcher.
Outlook: The Chief offense is centered on Larry Johnson when he is healthy. Head coach, Herm Edwards, dictates a very conservative offense as evidenced by the play calling. It will be interesting to see how Chan Gailey will do as offensive coordinator and if there will be any changes in the offense. The quarterback position is unsettled to say the least. Eddie Kennison is the only other decent receiver on the team, and even that might be a stretch. Tony Gonzalez is a huge receiving threat at tight end, but is getting older. Samie Parker and Jeff Webb are the only other receivers for the Chiefs, and neither is startable, even for the Chiefs. Many of these factors will change in the next couple of years leaving Bowe as the unquestioned WR1 and primary target in the passing game. Coach Edwards may not be around long after another poor season in 2008, which looks like a strong probability. Kennison will be 35 years old and on is the decline. The quarterback situation is still up in the air. The future passer for the franchise is not yet on the roster. The position cannot get much worse for a fantasy receiver. The Chiefs of 2009 will look much different than the Chiefs of 2007.
Store: Bloomingdales
Price: 2008 1st
Recommendation: Dwayne Bowe looks like a future star of the league. He could be a fantasy WR1 in a couple of years. If the Chiefs get a change in coaches and systems, along with a quarterback upgrade, then Bowe is an anchor for all dynasty teams. With his injuries and decline in production late in the year, this might be the time to buy Bowe at his cheapest level going forward.
Dwayne Jarrett – The rookie from USC was viewed as a good NFL prospect. He was good enough that Keyshawn Johnson was released soon after Jarrett was drafted. The Panthers thought Jarrett would be an ideal complement to Steve Smith. The former Trojan is a big, strong possession receiver that made great catches at the college level. But, his work ethic was not what it should be. This and his inability to pick up the offense led the Panthers to start Kerry Colbert and Drew Carter over the rookie.
Outlook: Jarrett could have started by midseason if he had worked hard and applied himself. Drew Carter is a free agent this offseason. Also, most think Kerry Colbert will not be with the Panthers in 2008 as well. There is great opportunity for the former USC star to get out of coach Fox’s doghouse and earn the starting receiver job opposite Steve Smith. Considering how opposing teams focus on stopping Smith, the receiver starting on the other side does have opportunity to produce.
Store: Macy’s
Price: 2008 2nd
Recommendation: Let someone else pay the price. Issues like work ethic and not dedicating ones self to learning the playbook are ones that should scare fantasy owners. The NFL is littered with talented players who have not applied themselves and are now backups. The longer it takes for Dwayne Jarrett to “get it”, the more the comparisons to Mike Williams will linger. But, if the price is cheap enough, Jarrett becomes a “buy low”.
Sidney Rice – Sydney Rice joined former Gamecock receiver, Troy Williamson, in the Twin Cities. The Viking receivers suffered through a rough season with poor quarterback play for much of the season. The Minnesota offense is focused around a strong running game, anchored by rookie Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. The quarterback play should improve over time and Rice will be looked upon to key the Viking passing game in the not too distant future. Sidney Rice made some big plays for the Viking passing game and will be relied on to make plays in the coming years.
Outlook: This looks to be a tough situation for any Viking receiver to produce good fantasy numbers any time soon. The Vikings brought in veteran wideouts, Bobby Wade and Robert Ferguson, in 2007. Rice came out of college as a redshirt sophomore. He just turned 21 years old during this past season. Rice was one player who might have benefited from staying in school one more year and developing his craft a little more. Williamson will be gone this offseason. It looks like Rice and Wade will start in 2008, with Ferguson and rookie Andrae Allison coming off of the bench.
Store: Bloomingdales
Price: 2008 1st round pick or a 2008 2nd and a good prospect.
Recommendation: The Viking offense will progress some as the young Tarvaris Jackson matures. There is talk of a veteran passer being brought in by the Vikings to provide competition for the young quarterback. This is a good time to buy the young receiver. He looks to have the potential to be a top fifteen receiver in a couple of years. Upside of the former Gamecock is high. He just needs time to mature. Fantasy owners need to have patience, as it might be the 2009 season before Rice becomes a fantasy starter.
Jason Hill – Jason Hill was a very productive receiver while at Washington State. He averaged a touchdown reception for every collegiate game he caught a pass. Hill even quieted his critics by posting a very fast 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine. The rookie was injured during much of camp and preseason and was an afterthought for many fantasy owners during his rookie season. With Mike Martz becoming the offensive coordinator, and the relative lack of receiver depth, Jason Hill should get a chance to shine in 2008.
Outlook: The Forty-Niners have little depth at the receiver position. Veterans Darrell Jackson and Arnaz Battle are the favorites to start for the Martz-led offense. But, the former Ram and Lion offensive coordinator is known for running a lot of three and four receiver sets. This leaves the door wide open for Jason Hill to make his mark in year two of his career. Ashley Lelie is the only other receiver on the roster, and the former Bronco is not a polished route-runner by any means.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: 2008 3rd or possibly available on the waiver wire.
Recommendation: Some fantasy owners have given up hope and dropped Jason Hill. This is your chance to buy him low. He is a talented rookie receiver that can be a NFL playmaking wideout. Also, a consideration has to be the injury histories of both Jackson and Battle, giving Hill more opportunity. This is a great situation to buy. Many fantasy owners are too impatient with rookie receivers. With this cheap of a price, Jason Hill is a good gamble for dynasty owners.
Steve Smith – Known as “the other Steve Smith” by many fantasy owners, Smith came into the NFL as good NFL prospect. The Giant offense was in a state of flux with the Tiki retirement, Amani Toomer’s age and dependence on Eli Manning to make plays in Tom Coughlin’s conservative offense. Smith was drafted to possibly take over for Toomer, but the veteran played well and was a reliable wide receiver for Manning. Also, Smith has battled injuries for most of the season. The Giants recognized the need for another playmaking receiver in 2006 and drafted Sinorice Moss. But, Moss has been a disappointment. Steve Smith may not be the type of playmaker as his brother, but he will be dependable possession receiver that an oft-rattled Eli Manning will need.
Outlook: The Giants’ offense will look much different in 2008 than in 2007. Each year could start the decline of Toomer. Both Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress should be fully healed by training camp. Smith looks to be the third or fourth option in the passing game. The Giant offense is geared around an effective run game, and a possession receiver like the former Trojan will see plenty of opportunity on shallow routes across the middle of the field.
Store: The Gap
Price: 2008 2nd round pick or a good prospect
Recommendation: Buy if you think Steve Smith will produce Amani Toomer-like numbers in the future. He battled injuries throughout his rookie season and his owners could be ready to give up on the young pass catcher. Granted, Smith will never produce fantasy numbers to the level of the elite receivers, but he should enjoy many seasons of decent WR3 or WR4 level production.
Calvin Johnson – Touted as a future All Pro coming into his rookie season, Johnson disappointed fantasy owners. He struggled to get on the field due to injuries and was slowly worked into the lineup with Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey playing well. Many extrapolated the upside of a Mike Martz offense and thought the former Georgia Tech star would be a phenom from day one. Well, that did not happen and Martz is now in San Francisco. With a more traditional and balanced offense going forward, the upside may not be as high, less a rumored trade of Roy Williams. The veteran from Texas will be a free agent next offseason and the Lions will look to get something for the wideout before he leaves.
Outlook: With a more balanced offense, the Lions are not expected to attempt as many passes per game. This will limit the potential for the Johnson at least for another year. Calvin Johnson has top ten potential. He is still young should continue to improve as a receiver. Johnson has ideal size and catches the ball well away from his body. The two big question marks for Calvin Johnson are who will be the starting quarterback for the Lions in the coming years and can Johnson stay healthy for an entire season.
Store: Barney’s
Price: 2008 1st round pick and a decent prospect
Recommendation: Calvin Johnson is a good receiver to buy, if you can get him at a reasonable price. He has the potential to be a top fantasy wideout for many years. There are no pass catchers in the 2008 draft class of his caliber so fantasy owners needing a good young receiver are best off trading for Johnson.
Anthony Gonzalez – The rookie from Ohio State got his chance to shine with the knee injury to Marvin Harrison. He played well and showed that the Colts made a wise draft choice in 2007. Harrison is getting older and there is a growing chance that he is not on the Colts in 2008. If this is the case, there will be ample opportunity for the former Buckeye to produce top twenty fantasy receiver. Anthony Gonzalez is in the perfect situation to best utilize his skill set.
Outlook: At worst, the young pass catcher will be the slot receiver for the Colts in 2008. He looks to be in the process of taking over for the veteran Harrison. As long as Peyton Manning is the quarterback and Reggie Wayne lining up as the other starter in Indianapolis, there will be a great opportunity for Anthony Gonzalez to produce good numbers. His speed is deceptive and has he shown himself to be a reliable option for Manning.
Store: American Eagle
Price: 2008 1st round pick or a 2nd and a good prospect
Recommendation: Anthony Gonzalez is a definite buy. His cost should be lower than Johnson, Bowe, or even Rice, but the former Ohio State Buckeye has a chance to produce better fantasy numbers than all of the three. This is one of those times where situation trumps talent, even though Gonzalez is talented.
James Jones – The rookie from San Jose State surprised many this year when he played very well while replacing the injured Greg Jennings. But, for most of the season, Jones split time with Koren Robinson as the third receiver for the Green Bay Packers. With Donald Driver turning 33 years old soon, James Jones looks to be the perfect long-term complement to Jennings. Many fantasy owners had never heard of Jones when he was drafted, but the rookie was a hot item for the first few weeks of the season.
Outlook: The Green Bay Packers are led by Brett Favre and Donald Driver, but the young talent of Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings, and Jones give much hope for the future. But, as long as Driver is playing for the Packers, Jones’ owners are going to be disappointed. The young pass catcher will have to bide his time. He looks to be a good young fantasy wideout, but is far from startable at this time.
Store: The Gap
Price: 2008 2nd round pick or a good prospect
Recommendation: Buy if you are sold on the talent of James Jones. Owners will need patience. It could be a couple of years before Jones is given the chance to showcase his skills on a full time basis. He has the ability to be a lower end fantasy WR2 for many years.
Jacoby Jones – The rookie from tiny Lane came on the scene with good showings in the pre-draft all star games and workouts. Jones was injured for much of his rookie season, but still showed why the Texans were so high on him. Jacoby Jones is a playmaker, whether as a receiver or returning kicks. The youngster makes some big plays and has the size and athletic ability to be a star in the league. When it is all said and done, Jones has a chance to be one of the top two or three wide receivers in this draft class.
Outlook: The Houston Texan offense is explosive and fairly young. Andre Johnson anchors an underrated receiving corps that also includes Kevin Walter and tight end Owen Daniels. Andre Davis is a free agent and will most likely be on another team in 2008. With Matt Schaub under center, the Texans will be able to put up some good passing totals for several years. Jacoby Jones should have the opportunity to supplant Walter as the starting receiver this coming season. Walter looks like an ideal fit as the third receiver for the Texans.
Store: The Old Navy
Price: 2008 2nd round pick or a 3rd round pick and a good prospect
Recommendation: Due to injuries, Jacoby Jones is underrated and undervalued in fantasy leagues. He is a great receiver to buy low. Since Jones came from a small school, he might need a little extra time to mature as a pro receiver, but he has a lot of potential. Owners must be patient and have the roster space to wait for the young player to develop. But, playing for Kubiak is a big plus. Gary Kubiak is great at helping young skill players develop.
There are several wide receivers in this group that can be fantasy starters for a long time. As mentioned above, rookie receivers need time to develop and mature. There are many intricacies of the position that lie far outside the realm of what fantasy owners track. NFL coaches like to see consistency in practice and the willingness to block. These are two main reasons, in addition to learning the playbook; rookie receivers have difficulty finding consistent playing time. But, talent wins in the end and these young wideouts emerge as players that need to be on the field. There were a few rookie wide receivers omitted from this list. Robert Meachem and Ted Ginn are the two most will notice. Both are players that still have high upside, but loads of risk. I also like Laurent Robinson, Mike Walker, and some other rookie receivers, but ran out of space.
With the lack of talent at the top of the 2008 receiver draft class, fantasy owners needing young receivers have a great opportunity to trade a late first round rookie pick for a receiver entering his second year in the league. This is a good strategy just because more is known about the talent and situation than with most rookies. The 2008 rookie class of receivers appears to be more deep than strong.
I hope readers enjoyed the Dynasty Shopping Mall during the season. I will try to post more in the Shark Pool this offseason. For dynasty owners, the season never ends. Please feel free to email or pm me any questions or comments. Also, I would like any feedback from those that read this article during the season. What did you like/dislike? What do you want to see more/less of? A big thank you to the loyal readers of the Dynasty Shopping Mall. I enjoyed writing it each week.
Just like any other shopping mall, this will have different products at different levels of quality and price. We will shop around at different stores that are in typical shopping malls like Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Sears, American Eagle and even the Dollar Store. We will look for products to buy, with the focus on value. Many times the expensive products are worth the price. Some times they are not. We will examine opportunities to buy at a reasonable price compared to value. The products we are purchasing are fantasy players for our dynasty team. This was a weekly article during the season. Even though the season has ended, dynasty owners are still trying to improve their teams. The Dynasty Shopping Mall will be made available in the Shark Pool for the offseason. Please feel free to shoot me a Pm or email with any feedback.
As we finish up the NFL season, this is a perfect time to look at how some of the rookie draft picks fared and determine if any are good prospects to buy. One goal is to look at underperforming rookies who could “get it” and turn into viable starting players for fantasy owners. For the first installment, the focus will be on the wide receiver class. The rookie receivers were not expected to do much, outside of Calvin Johnson. But, this has turned into a very good receiver class. One thing to keep in mind is that rookie pass catchers take time to develop. Many good NFL wideouts did nothing in their rookie seasons. The maturation process for rookies at the position varies by player and by the situation.
Dwayne Bowe – The rookie from LSU was heralded by many pre-draft experts as a top NFL and fantasy prospect. Bowe’s ability to make a big play was greatly needed by the Chiefs. He showed flashes of greatness, but his potential was overshadowed the poor quarterback play of Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. The Kansas City Chiefs are a team in transition with little receiver depth outside of Bowe and aging veteran Eddie Kennison. With Tony Gonzalez getting older, Dwayne Bowe should quickly become the focal point of the Kansas City passing game very soon. The age of the offensive line, combined with the poor play at quarterback, translate into the Chiefs relying heavily on Larry Johnson and on their promising young pass catcher.
Outlook: The Chief offense is centered on Larry Johnson when he is healthy. Head coach, Herm Edwards, dictates a very conservative offense as evidenced by the play calling. It will be interesting to see how Chan Gailey will do as offensive coordinator and if there will be any changes in the offense. The quarterback position is unsettled to say the least. Eddie Kennison is the only other decent receiver on the team, and even that might be a stretch. Tony Gonzalez is a huge receiving threat at tight end, but is getting older. Samie Parker and Jeff Webb are the only other receivers for the Chiefs, and neither is startable, even for the Chiefs. Many of these factors will change in the next couple of years leaving Bowe as the unquestioned WR1 and primary target in the passing game. Coach Edwards may not be around long after another poor season in 2008, which looks like a strong probability. Kennison will be 35 years old and on is the decline. The quarterback situation is still up in the air. The future passer for the franchise is not yet on the roster. The position cannot get much worse for a fantasy receiver. The Chiefs of 2009 will look much different than the Chiefs of 2007.
Store: Bloomingdales
Price: 2008 1st
Recommendation: Dwayne Bowe looks like a future star of the league. He could be a fantasy WR1 in a couple of years. If the Chiefs get a change in coaches and systems, along with a quarterback upgrade, then Bowe is an anchor for all dynasty teams. With his injuries and decline in production late in the year, this might be the time to buy Bowe at his cheapest level going forward.
Dwayne Jarrett – The rookie from USC was viewed as a good NFL prospect. He was good enough that Keyshawn Johnson was released soon after Jarrett was drafted. The Panthers thought Jarrett would be an ideal complement to Steve Smith. The former Trojan is a big, strong possession receiver that made great catches at the college level. But, his work ethic was not what it should be. This and his inability to pick up the offense led the Panthers to start Kerry Colbert and Drew Carter over the rookie.
Outlook: Jarrett could have started by midseason if he had worked hard and applied himself. Drew Carter is a free agent this offseason. Also, most think Kerry Colbert will not be with the Panthers in 2008 as well. There is great opportunity for the former USC star to get out of coach Fox’s doghouse and earn the starting receiver job opposite Steve Smith. Considering how opposing teams focus on stopping Smith, the receiver starting on the other side does have opportunity to produce.
Store: Macy’s
Price: 2008 2nd
Recommendation: Let someone else pay the price. Issues like work ethic and not dedicating ones self to learning the playbook are ones that should scare fantasy owners. The NFL is littered with talented players who have not applied themselves and are now backups. The longer it takes for Dwayne Jarrett to “get it”, the more the comparisons to Mike Williams will linger. But, if the price is cheap enough, Jarrett becomes a “buy low”.
Sidney Rice – Sydney Rice joined former Gamecock receiver, Troy Williamson, in the Twin Cities. The Viking receivers suffered through a rough season with poor quarterback play for much of the season. The Minnesota offense is focused around a strong running game, anchored by rookie Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. The quarterback play should improve over time and Rice will be looked upon to key the Viking passing game in the not too distant future. Sidney Rice made some big plays for the Viking passing game and will be relied on to make plays in the coming years.
Outlook: This looks to be a tough situation for any Viking receiver to produce good fantasy numbers any time soon. The Vikings brought in veteran wideouts, Bobby Wade and Robert Ferguson, in 2007. Rice came out of college as a redshirt sophomore. He just turned 21 years old during this past season. Rice was one player who might have benefited from staying in school one more year and developing his craft a little more. Williamson will be gone this offseason. It looks like Rice and Wade will start in 2008, with Ferguson and rookie Andrae Allison coming off of the bench.
Store: Bloomingdales
Price: 2008 1st round pick or a 2008 2nd and a good prospect.
Recommendation: The Viking offense will progress some as the young Tarvaris Jackson matures. There is talk of a veteran passer being brought in by the Vikings to provide competition for the young quarterback. This is a good time to buy the young receiver. He looks to have the potential to be a top fifteen receiver in a couple of years. Upside of the former Gamecock is high. He just needs time to mature. Fantasy owners need to have patience, as it might be the 2009 season before Rice becomes a fantasy starter.
Jason Hill – Jason Hill was a very productive receiver while at Washington State. He averaged a touchdown reception for every collegiate game he caught a pass. Hill even quieted his critics by posting a very fast 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine. The rookie was injured during much of camp and preseason and was an afterthought for many fantasy owners during his rookie season. With Mike Martz becoming the offensive coordinator, and the relative lack of receiver depth, Jason Hill should get a chance to shine in 2008.
Outlook: The Forty-Niners have little depth at the receiver position. Veterans Darrell Jackson and Arnaz Battle are the favorites to start for the Martz-led offense. But, the former Ram and Lion offensive coordinator is known for running a lot of three and four receiver sets. This leaves the door wide open for Jason Hill to make his mark in year two of his career. Ashley Lelie is the only other receiver on the roster, and the former Bronco is not a polished route-runner by any means.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: 2008 3rd or possibly available on the waiver wire.
Recommendation: Some fantasy owners have given up hope and dropped Jason Hill. This is your chance to buy him low. He is a talented rookie receiver that can be a NFL playmaking wideout. Also, a consideration has to be the injury histories of both Jackson and Battle, giving Hill more opportunity. This is a great situation to buy. Many fantasy owners are too impatient with rookie receivers. With this cheap of a price, Jason Hill is a good gamble for dynasty owners.
Steve Smith – Known as “the other Steve Smith” by many fantasy owners, Smith came into the NFL as good NFL prospect. The Giant offense was in a state of flux with the Tiki retirement, Amani Toomer’s age and dependence on Eli Manning to make plays in Tom Coughlin’s conservative offense. Smith was drafted to possibly take over for Toomer, but the veteran played well and was a reliable wide receiver for Manning. Also, Smith has battled injuries for most of the season. The Giants recognized the need for another playmaking receiver in 2006 and drafted Sinorice Moss. But, Moss has been a disappointment. Steve Smith may not be the type of playmaker as his brother, but he will be dependable possession receiver that an oft-rattled Eli Manning will need.
Outlook: The Giants’ offense will look much different in 2008 than in 2007. Each year could start the decline of Toomer. Both Jeremy Shockey and Plaxico Burress should be fully healed by training camp. Smith looks to be the third or fourth option in the passing game. The Giant offense is geared around an effective run game, and a possession receiver like the former Trojan will see plenty of opportunity on shallow routes across the middle of the field.
Store: The Gap
Price: 2008 2nd round pick or a good prospect
Recommendation: Buy if you think Steve Smith will produce Amani Toomer-like numbers in the future. He battled injuries throughout his rookie season and his owners could be ready to give up on the young pass catcher. Granted, Smith will never produce fantasy numbers to the level of the elite receivers, but he should enjoy many seasons of decent WR3 or WR4 level production.
Calvin Johnson – Touted as a future All Pro coming into his rookie season, Johnson disappointed fantasy owners. He struggled to get on the field due to injuries and was slowly worked into the lineup with Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey playing well. Many extrapolated the upside of a Mike Martz offense and thought the former Georgia Tech star would be a phenom from day one. Well, that did not happen and Martz is now in San Francisco. With a more traditional and balanced offense going forward, the upside may not be as high, less a rumored trade of Roy Williams. The veteran from Texas will be a free agent next offseason and the Lions will look to get something for the wideout before he leaves.
Outlook: With a more balanced offense, the Lions are not expected to attempt as many passes per game. This will limit the potential for the Johnson at least for another year. Calvin Johnson has top ten potential. He is still young should continue to improve as a receiver. Johnson has ideal size and catches the ball well away from his body. The two big question marks for Calvin Johnson are who will be the starting quarterback for the Lions in the coming years and can Johnson stay healthy for an entire season.
Store: Barney’s
Price: 2008 1st round pick and a decent prospect
Recommendation: Calvin Johnson is a good receiver to buy, if you can get him at a reasonable price. He has the potential to be a top fantasy wideout for many years. There are no pass catchers in the 2008 draft class of his caliber so fantasy owners needing a good young receiver are best off trading for Johnson.
Anthony Gonzalez – The rookie from Ohio State got his chance to shine with the knee injury to Marvin Harrison. He played well and showed that the Colts made a wise draft choice in 2007. Harrison is getting older and there is a growing chance that he is not on the Colts in 2008. If this is the case, there will be ample opportunity for the former Buckeye to produce top twenty fantasy receiver. Anthony Gonzalez is in the perfect situation to best utilize his skill set.
Outlook: At worst, the young pass catcher will be the slot receiver for the Colts in 2008. He looks to be in the process of taking over for the veteran Harrison. As long as Peyton Manning is the quarterback and Reggie Wayne lining up as the other starter in Indianapolis, there will be a great opportunity for Anthony Gonzalez to produce good numbers. His speed is deceptive and has he shown himself to be a reliable option for Manning.
Store: American Eagle
Price: 2008 1st round pick or a 2nd and a good prospect
Recommendation: Anthony Gonzalez is a definite buy. His cost should be lower than Johnson, Bowe, or even Rice, but the former Ohio State Buckeye has a chance to produce better fantasy numbers than all of the three. This is one of those times where situation trumps talent, even though Gonzalez is talented.
James Jones – The rookie from San Jose State surprised many this year when he played very well while replacing the injured Greg Jennings. But, for most of the season, Jones split time with Koren Robinson as the third receiver for the Green Bay Packers. With Donald Driver turning 33 years old soon, James Jones looks to be the perfect long-term complement to Jennings. Many fantasy owners had never heard of Jones when he was drafted, but the rookie was a hot item for the first few weeks of the season.
Outlook: The Green Bay Packers are led by Brett Favre and Donald Driver, but the young talent of Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings, and Jones give much hope for the future. But, as long as Driver is playing for the Packers, Jones’ owners are going to be disappointed. The young pass catcher will have to bide his time. He looks to be a good young fantasy wideout, but is far from startable at this time.
Store: The Gap
Price: 2008 2nd round pick or a good prospect
Recommendation: Buy if you are sold on the talent of James Jones. Owners will need patience. It could be a couple of years before Jones is given the chance to showcase his skills on a full time basis. He has the ability to be a lower end fantasy WR2 for many years.
Jacoby Jones – The rookie from tiny Lane came on the scene with good showings in the pre-draft all star games and workouts. Jones was injured for much of his rookie season, but still showed why the Texans were so high on him. Jacoby Jones is a playmaker, whether as a receiver or returning kicks. The youngster makes some big plays and has the size and athletic ability to be a star in the league. When it is all said and done, Jones has a chance to be one of the top two or three wide receivers in this draft class.
Outlook: The Houston Texan offense is explosive and fairly young. Andre Johnson anchors an underrated receiving corps that also includes Kevin Walter and tight end Owen Daniels. Andre Davis is a free agent and will most likely be on another team in 2008. With Matt Schaub under center, the Texans will be able to put up some good passing totals for several years. Jacoby Jones should have the opportunity to supplant Walter as the starting receiver this coming season. Walter looks like an ideal fit as the third receiver for the Texans.
Store: The Old Navy
Price: 2008 2nd round pick or a 3rd round pick and a good prospect
Recommendation: Due to injuries, Jacoby Jones is underrated and undervalued in fantasy leagues. He is a great receiver to buy low. Since Jones came from a small school, he might need a little extra time to mature as a pro receiver, but he has a lot of potential. Owners must be patient and have the roster space to wait for the young player to develop. But, playing for Kubiak is a big plus. Gary Kubiak is great at helping young skill players develop.
There are several wide receivers in this group that can be fantasy starters for a long time. As mentioned above, rookie receivers need time to develop and mature. There are many intricacies of the position that lie far outside the realm of what fantasy owners track. NFL coaches like to see consistency in practice and the willingness to block. These are two main reasons, in addition to learning the playbook; rookie receivers have difficulty finding consistent playing time. But, talent wins in the end and these young wideouts emerge as players that need to be on the field. There were a few rookie wide receivers omitted from this list. Robert Meachem and Ted Ginn are the two most will notice. Both are players that still have high upside, but loads of risk. I also like Laurent Robinson, Mike Walker, and some other rookie receivers, but ran out of space.
With the lack of talent at the top of the 2008 receiver draft class, fantasy owners needing young receivers have a great opportunity to trade a late first round rookie pick for a receiver entering his second year in the league. This is a good strategy just because more is known about the talent and situation than with most rookies. The 2008 rookie class of receivers appears to be more deep than strong.
I hope readers enjoyed the Dynasty Shopping Mall during the season. I will try to post more in the Shark Pool this offseason. For dynasty owners, the season never ends. Please feel free to email or pm me any questions or comments. Also, I would like any feedback from those that read this article during the season. What did you like/dislike? What do you want to see more/less of? A big thank you to the loyal readers of the Dynasty Shopping Mall. I enjoyed writing it each week.
