The guy I like from a cost/upside perspective is Clyde Gates. I think he has the potential to pull a Chad Johnson this year. He has elite physical ability and a wide open opportunity to win the #1 job on a team that will be playing from behind. Definitely a guy that I'll be looking to snag in the late rounds.
Just missing why people keep bringing this guy up. Has a ton of straightline speed, and nothing else. Overaged prospect who did not flash as rookie (I know he was "injured"), has zero reputation as significant route runneer nor NFL level hands. while he lookslike he in a good situation, the Dolphins have will have either a rookie QB or below average veteran throwing to him.
The list of great receivers who didn't produce as rookies is a long one. Here are what some prominent WRs did in their rookie season:Miles Austin - 0 catches
Wes Welker - 0 catches
Vincent Jackson - 3 catches
Steve Smith (CAR) - 10 catches
Steve Johnson - 10 catches
Antonio Brown - 16 catches
Brandon Marshall - 20 catches
Plaxico Burress - 22 catches
Chad Johnson - 28 catches
Roddy White - 29 catches
The instant success of players like AJ Green and Mike Williams makes it easy to forget that there's a learning curve for players making the transition from college to the NFL. You often don't see a receiver's true ability until 2-3 years into his career. Gates has a good excuse because he not only had to make the jump from college, but from a small school. In that regard he's similar to Austin and Jackson, who both played at tiny colleges and were basically invisible as rookies.
Regarding this...
Has a ton of straightline speed, and nothing else. Overaged prospect who did not flash as rookie (I know he was "injured"), has zero reputation as significant route runneer nor NFL level hands.
He only had 12 targets last season. How much flash were you expecting? I'd say he showed
.Contrary to your characterization, he's more than just a speed guy. He's agile with good lateral quickness and great leaping ability.
His pure receiving skills are definitely a bit of a mystery, but when you look at this sorry group of WRs in Miami it's pretty clear that he has the most upside. He has Pro Bowl physical tools, whereas most of the players on their roster would be lucky to threaten for a starting position down the road. Hartline, Bess, and Naanee are total mediocrities. The same is probably true of Fuller, Cunningham, and Matthews. Gates might not be anything more than that, but he at least has the
potential to be something great. That's what makes him the clear target here, IMO. Bess might be good for best ball leagues and is probably the safe pick of the lot, but Gates is the guy who could have a breakout season and win you a title.