LHUCKS' 2006 WR Rankings (1 Viewer)

[nygiants56]

Looks good, but do you have any commentary on why you picked certain people?

Just ask about certain players and I'll give a brief response.

Is Corey Bradford a little low at this point? for a guy in a Martz offense, with a WR opposite him that hasn't proven to be anything more than a fragile potato chip ( Roy Williams) , Bradford, I would think, has a good deal of upside. I know all about the umpteen dropped passes in houston the past few years, but was that just a product of having David Carr throwing to him?Matt Jones has ** x100 next to his name, you like him as a guy who could REALLY come on strong in 2006? I do too, just wondering if that was what you were hinting at.no love for Cedric Wilson as a potential sleeper? Hines Ward is going to be in and out of the lineup all season long with a hammy problem, and Wilson is really the only other WR Pittsburgh has that can step up into that #1 role..great list! thanks for the work!

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Bah, I was hoping you would be on the "ATL WRs will be decent this year" train with me, but I guess not. Jenkins will be a top 50 WR this year.

 

[broncofan13000]

LHucks, do you do a TE list as well? Where would Gates be ranked if the league doesn't have a mandatory TE spot?

 

[skillz]

I am curious why you list Muhammad at #23 with upside considering the Bears offense was a complete mess this preseason?

 

[ScottNorwood]

WhereTF are the kicker rankings?

 

[Spiderman]

Looks good, but do you have any commentary on why you picked certain people?

Just ask about certain players and I'll give a brief response.

I'm interested more in your value picks, especially matt jones

-Matt Jones looked uncoverable during the preseason on several occasion and is going to be the most targeted WR in Jax. -He has the potential for top 5 numbers because of his TD potential and big play ability.

-I think he's an excellent gamble in the middle rounds.

-I would take him 22nd off the board but his ADP according to FBG is only WR29 at 7.03 according to FBG data so you can get him a little earlier in many leagues.

While Jones did look really good in the pre-season, I wouldn't necessarily say Leftwich is going to put up anything beyond slightly above average passing numbers.Do you have confidence in Leftwich being able to get Jones the ball consistently ?

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Question about your strategy. I assume the ==== denotes tiers. You say to get two WRs from the first two tiers by round 4. Your first two tiers are only 8 WRs deep and are all WRs gone by the end of the 2nd round. Maybe 1 or 2 might slip to the mid 3rd. You aren't advocating taking 2 WRs with your first two picks so should your tiers be bigger?

 

[sackman]

Lhucks, could you comment on Troy Williamson. You have a (**) next to him. He looked real good catching a bomb in the Dallas pre-season game. He is available on my WW and I am thinking about dropping Michael Turner (not an LT handcuff) or Kevin Curtis for him.

 

[jon_mx]

In general it's easier to draft WR sleepers than RB sleepers so I usually draft deeper at WR. Most WCOFF rosters draft deepest at WR as there is still value in the late rounds.

Which is opposite of your strategy in the subscriber contest where you said people spend too much on QB and RB. If there are good sleepers (cheap picks who will perform) at WR, why spend the money there?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Well that's nice. I got Cadillac and Chad Johnson at the turn of a 12 team PPR league. I was nervous before but am feeling better now.

I almost went Johnson and Fitzgerald, but then I reminded myself that EVERY mock where I went WR/WR at the turn in a 12 team ended up with a rotten roster outside of the two stud WRs.

According to this list, I drafted well as I got Wayne/Driver/Muhammad as well.

What I'm saying is that as appealing as having two stud WRs is, I suggest not doing it as there's a LOT of very solid 2nd tier WRs to be had this year.

 

[LHUCKS]

Looks good, but do you have any commentary on why you picked certain people?

Just ask about certain players and I'll give a brief response.

I'm interested more in your value picks, especially matt jones

-Matt Jones looked uncoverable during the preseason on several occasion and is going to be the most targeted WR in Jax. -He has the potential for top 5 numbers because of his TD potential and big play ability.

-I think he's an excellent gamble in the middle rounds.

-I would take him 22nd off the board but his ADP according to FBG is only WR29 at 7.03 according to FBG data so you can get him a little earlier in many leagues.

While Jones did look really good in the pre-season, I wouldn't necessarily say Leftwich is going to put up anything beyond slightly above average passing numbers.Do you have confidence in Leftwich being able to get Jones the ball consistently ?

Absolutely. Lefty was on pace for 3200 yards and was top 10 in ppg last year...in what was only his third year in the NFL. The beauty of the Jags WRs is that if Lefty goes down Garrard is capable of being very good as well. QB isn't the concern in Jax IMHO.

 

[LHUCKS]

Lhucks, could you comment on Troy Williamson. You have a (**) next to him. He looked real good catching a bomb in the Dallas pre-season game. He is available on my WW and I am thinking about dropping Michael Turner (not an LT handcuff) or Kevin Curtis for him.

I think the Minn passing game will easily surpass expectations this year as Brad Johnson is the most underrated QB in the NFL. TW is the #1 and he has looked good in preseason. He's a nice upside pick that can be had in the middle rounds of most drafts. I would definitely pick him up over Curtis or Turner.

 

[bb7278]

Lhucks, could you comment on Troy Williamson. You have a (**) next to him. He looked real good catching a bomb in the Dallas pre-season game. He is available on my WW and I am thinking about dropping Michael Turner (not an LT handcuff) or Kevin Curtis for him.

I think the Minn passing game will easily surpass expectations this year as Brad Johnson is the most underrated QB in the NFL. TW is the #1 and he has looked good in preseason. He's a nice upside pick that can be had in the middle rounds of most drafts. I would definitely pick him up over Curtis or Turner.

Got him in the 10th of 16 in a 12 team money league, will be starting him alongside Torry and Driver if Steve Smith is busted

 

[LHUCKS]

Question about your strategy. I assume the ==== denotes tiers. You say to get two WRs from the first two tiers by round 4. Your first two tiers are only 8 WRs deep and are all WRs gone by the end of the 2nd round. Maybe 1 or 2 might slip to the mid 3rd. You aren't advocating taking 2 WRs with your first two picks so should your tiers be bigger?

Good catch...that should say top 3 tiers.

 

[LHUCKS]

Overall Strategy:

-Try to draft two WRs from the first two tiers by the end of fourth round unless a RB slides into round 4 that shouldn’t have.

-As usual draft upside in middle to late rounds.

- Draft deeper at WR than any other position.

I have to disagree here. Draft RB deeper than any other position. You can always trade RB's for WR's. A RB is a lottery ticket.

It depends on the league...in the WCOFF format there is no trading and everybody goes deeper at WR. But you're right...a lot of my leagues that allow trades go deeper at RB. I should have been more clear there.

 

[Da Guru]

Looks good, but do you have any commentary on why you picked certain people?

Just ask about certain players and I'll give a brief response.

I agree on Clayton and Bennett. They have dropped quite a bit and are good value picks. Matt Jones has gone quite early in a couple if drafts I have been in.

 

[LHUCKS]

The Broncos lost over 1500 yards in the passing game this off-season. Even if Javon Walker had 1500 yards, I think Smith could repeat those numbers. Walker having a huge year has almost no relevance to Smith's success, since he'll be competing with Mike Bell, Tony Scheffler and Brandon Marshall -- three rookies -- for all the receiving yards that Walker doesn't get.

I would be surprised to see a huge transfer of yardage to the WR#2. A well balanced offense targeting all positions is what coaches usually strive for. Despite the youth I don't see a dropoff in talent or ability at WR or TE. If I see any dropoff it's at WR#2 where Smith will undoubtedly have a lower YPC than Lelie did.I do believe there is a risk that the Bell tandem will not stay healthy forcing an air attack for part of the season which may inflate Rod's stats.

Ed McCaffrey was able to throw up some pretty good seasons as a WR2 in Denver from 1998-2000..... even 2002 was ok sans TDs...... the two most productive years 1998-99 occured when Shannon Sharpe was injured/retired (i.e. without dominant TE). Ed was 34 in 2002. He is also white and not athletically gifted to begin with, which is a back handed compliment to Rod Smith.Of course Rod could age like a dog and stick around for a few years too many..... i.e. Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. (leaving myself a few outs here) Not sure if Jimmy Smith is a good comparison since he was of the guilty substance abuse variety.

I'd actually argue that Ed was very athletic...I believe he had some pretty nice measurables. Anyhow, excellent point about McCaffrey. Rod's age still scares me though and I'm probably going to leave Rod where he's at.

 

[LHUCKS]

Looks good, but do you have any commentary on why you picked certain people?

Just ask about certain players and I'll give a brief response.

Matt Jones has gone quite early in a couple if drafts I have been in.

ADP is showing 7th round according to FBG. Try to get him there.

 

[LHUCKS]

I am curious why you list Muhammad at #23 with upside considering the Bears offense was a complete mess this preseason?

Mostly because the Grossman/Griese combo will be lightyears better than Orton. The Bears know they will need to pass more effectively to be a top flight SuperBowl contender. Muhammad is by far and away the best target on the team.

 

[Urinal Mint]

I'm curious why you think Cedric Wilson has upside with Holmes waiting in the wings.

 

[LHUCKS]

What I'm saying is that as appealing as having two stud WRs is, I suggest not doing it as there's a LOT of very solid 2nd tier WRs to be had this year.

Right...that's why in my RB thread I suggess trying to get two of the "safe" RBs first before considering WR. I love the second and third tier WRs this year.

 

[LHUCKS]

I'm curious why you think Cedric Wilson has upside with Holmes waiting in the wings.

Holmes wont be starting this year and I'm now convinced the Steelers are going to open up the passing game more this year. Ced has been the talk of Steelers camp and preseason...and really started to come on in the playoffs last year.

 

[Justloveit]

Thanks again for posting this LHUCKS.

 

[LHUCKS]

Bah, I was hoping you would be on the "ATL WRs will be decent this year" train with me, but I guess not. Jenkins will be a top 50 WR this year.

If Schaub were the starter I'd be all over Roddy...Lelie clouds the Jenkins picture IMHO.

 

[Urinal Mint]

I agree. I just wanted to see if you and I were thinking the same way, and it looks like we are

I'm curious why you think Cedric Wilson has upside with Holmes waiting in the wings.

Holmes wont be starting this year and I'm now convinced the Steelers are going to open up the passing game more this year. Ced has been the talk of Steelers camp and preseason.

 

[Justloveit]

LHUCKS, I'm curious to know how concerned are you regarding Smith's hamstring injuries? I realise that in terms of PPG you believe he'll still be elite but that's really useless if he skips various games throughout the season and is listed as questionable/doubtful in others.

 

[LHUCKS]

LHUCKS, I'm curious to know how concerned are you regarding Smith's hamstring injuries? I realise that in terms of PPG you believe he'll still be elite but that's really useless if he skips various games throughout the season and is listed as questionable/doubtful in others.

I'm obviously not that concerned and wouldn't hesitate to take SS in round two. That being said it's important to draft quality depth with this methodology as I obviously take on more risk by targeting upside.

 

[SaintArnold]

LHUCKS- thanks for the QB/RB/WR threads. I enjoyed reading all of them, as I also follow a philosophy of drafting for upside in the later rounds. You only have to be right about one prospect to make a huge upgrade to your team. Two of my "big upside" targets were Maroney and M. Jones, and I snagged them in all my leagues. I hope we're right!

And to continue the Rod Smith threadjack- but I agree with the others posting here that Rod will have another solid year. Plummer zeroes in on him in certain situations (ex: 3rd and 10), and he's not going to have that chemistry with Walker in such a short time. The other thing that helps Rod this year is that for the first time in a long time, he won't be facing the #1 CB on every play. This offsets any age concerns I might have.

 

[Spiderman]

I'm curious why you think Cedric Wilson has upside with Holmes waiting in the wings.

Holmes wont be starting this year and I'm now convinced the Steelers are going to open up the passing game more this year. Ced has been the talk of Steelers camp and preseason...and really started to come on in the playoffs last year.

What kind of numbers are you projecting for Wilson tonight, given that Batch is at QB ?

 

[LHUCKS]

Is Corey Bradford a little low at this point? for a guy in a Martz offense, with a WR opposite him that hasn't proven to be anything more than a fragile potato chip ( Roy Williams) , Bradford, I would think, has a good deal of upside. I know all about the umpteen dropped passes in houston the past few years, but was that just a product of having David Carr throwing to him?

I have Bradford ranked higher than most so I understand where you are coming from, but we really have no idea as to what this offense is gonna look like. I have tempered enthusiasm for Corey this year. He's on almost all of my FBG survivor teams.

Matt Jones has ** x100 next to his name, you like him as a guy who could REALLY come on strong in 2006? I do too, just wondering if that was what you were hinting at.

Yes...top 5 potential with his TD and big play ability.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Bah, I was hoping you would be on the "ATL WRs will be decent this year" train with me, but I guess not. Jenkins will be a top 50 WR this year.

If Schaub were the starter I'd be all over Roddy...Lelie clouds the Jenkins picture IMHO.

I was all over Roddy in the early SLs, but now I've decided that Jenkins is better. And isn't the possibility that Schaub could be the starter make one of the ATL WRs better than 69th?

 

[LHUCKS]

I'm curious why you think Cedric Wilson has upside with Holmes waiting in the wings.

Holmes wont be starting this year and I'm now convinced the Steelers are going to open up the passing game more this year. Ced has been the talk of Steelers camp and preseason...and really started to come on in the playoffs last year.

What kind of numbers are you projecting for Wilson tonight, given that Batch is at QB ?

Tough to say as Batch is somewhat of a wildcard. I'd say 60 to 80 yards, but I wouldn't project a TD.

 

[Village Idiot]

I think Mark Clayton may rise up and finish better than most people are predicting because Galloway will draw more attention from defenses this year.

I did get C. Johnson / Chambers / Glenn / both Clayton's / Braylon Edwards drafting 11th in a 12 team redraft.

There is one team that is RB heavy with dreadful WR's so I might be able to pry away a decent RB away from him but if had to do it over I would have taken Cadillac at 2.02 instead of Chad Johnson.

Hindsight rules.

 

[LHUCKS]

Bah, I was hoping you would be on the "ATL WRs will be decent this year" train with me, but I guess not. Jenkins will be a top 50 WR this year.

If Schaub were the starter I'd be all over Roddy...Lelie clouds the Jenkins picture IMHO.

I was all over Roddy in the early SLs, but now I've decided that Jenkins is better. And isn't the possibility that Schaub could be the starter make one of the ATL WRs better than 69th?

I have Roddy at 48.Why do you think Jenkins is better than Roddy?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Bah, I was hoping you would be on the "ATL WRs will be decent this year" train with me, but I guess not. Jenkins will be a top 50 WR this year.

If Schaub were the starter I'd be all over Roddy...Lelie clouds the Jenkins picture IMHO.

I was all over Roddy in the early SLs, but now I've decided that Jenkins is better. And isn't the possibility that Schaub could be the starter make one of the ATL WRs better than 69th?

I have Roddy at 48.Why do you think Jenkins is better than Roddy?

I think that Roddy and Lelie for that matter may both be more talented than Jenkins, but neither fit the offense as well as Jenkins. I think they are trying to put in a shorter, ball control offense there and those offenses usually favor the possession WR more than the speedster. Jenkins has better hands and seems to run the over-the-middle routes more and better than White. So I think he'll be more successful there even if he's not as "good" of a WR or as fast or as likely to be a "#1" WR. And I did miss White on your list. Sorry.

 

[Hue G]

For the most part I love your rankings, mine are very similar but we have a huge difference of opinion on the Seattle recievers.

Doesn't DJax knee surgeries concern you at all? It's appearant that he has big problems with his knees!

Why are you so down on Burleson? You're so high on Hasslebeck and Burleson is his #2, if DJax isn't in he's probably #1, he's proven how effective he can be as a #2 WR in Minnesota.

 

[phillzphan]

I feel like you're the only one with TO still high up there. Explain why he hasn't dropped as much as others rankingsss

thanks!

 

[cr8f]

too many bunched up Pats IMO

NE is a mess, but I like Troy Brown and Gabriel for now

Toomer too low

Don't like his upside

Clayton too high if Heap and Mason are first and second options

Clayton showed a lot as a rookie. I like his upside.

He showed a lot th end of last year with Boller throwing too. I like him a lot late.

 

[Judge Smails]

Great work LHUCKS...

Agree with several of the rankings, but disagree on two key points:

1) Drafting deep at WR. I have come to believe that people have totally misread WR's in FF, especially 3WR start leagues. More points are left on the bench with WR's than any other position. Rare you have a QB or RB that totally blows up on your bench (of course all FBG'rs do week in and week out ). But guys with 5-6 WR's on the roster have this happen all the time. Therefore, a guy who ends up with 950 yards and 8 TD's is semi-useless because you didn't have him in the lineup for his 145 yard, 3TD game. So, I try to get quality at WR, with 3 set #1 starters (this year Harrison/Wayne/DJax - with Kennison and B. Watson as insurance). But barring injury and bye weeks, I'm playing the above 3 most every week).

2)I think every projection I've seen of Wayne is low. He went for nearly 1,200 yards and had 12 TD's the year before. Edge is gone, Peyton's gonna throw more, Stokely's nicked and not likely to get 10 TD's again, etc. All signs point to a monster season for Wayne.

 

[jon_mx]

I feel like you're the only one with TO still high up there. Explain why he hasn't dropped as much as others rankingsssthanks!

I think people see Glen as stepping up and being Bledsoe's go to guy. TO will be used for the longball.

 

[Hue G]

I feel like you're the only one with TO still high up there. Explain why he hasn't dropped as much as others rankingsssthanks!

I think people see Glen as stepping up and being Bledsoe's go to guy. TO will be used for the longball.

TO is a great route runner, why the hell would they only use him for the longball?

 

[LHUCKS]

I feel like you're the only one with TO still high up there. Explain why he hasn't dropped as much as others rankingsssthanks!

Because nobody can cover him.

 

[LHUCKS]

Great work LHUCKS...Agree with several of the rankings, but disagree on two key points:1) Drafting deep at WR. I have come to believe that people have totally misread WR's in FF, especially 3WR start leagues. More points are left on the bench with WR's than any other position. Rare you have a QB or RB that totally blows up on your bench (of course all FBG'rs do week in and week out ). But guys with 5-6 WR's on the roster have this happen all the time. Therefore, a guy who ends up with 950 yards and 8 TD's is semi-useless because you didn't have him in the lineup for his 145 yard, 3TD game. So, I try to get quality at WR, with 3 set #1 starters (this year Harrison/Wayne/DJax - with Kennison and B. Watson as insurance). But barring injury and bye weeks, I'm playing the above 3 most every week).

This really depends on the league. In the WCOFF everybody drafts deeper at WR because you can start 4 potentially.

2)I think every projection I've seen of Wayne is low. He went for nearly 1,200 yards and had 12 TD's the year before. Edge is gone, Peyton's gonna throw more, Stokely's nicked and not likely to get 10 TD's again, etc. All signs point to a monster season for Wayne.

If Indy's D is as good as they were last year the Colts passing numbers should be about the same IMHO.

 

[valhallan]

Thoughts on Antonio Bryant? He started to show some consistency late last year and looked decent in pre-season with the Niners. Also, I would think the emergence of Gore and addition of Davis will take some pressure off Smith and allow him to look downfield for Bryant.

 

[LHUCKS]

Thoughts on Antonio Bryant? He started to show some consistency late last year and looked decent in pre-season with the Niners. Also, I would think the emergence of Gore and addition of Davis will take some pressure off Smith and allow him to look downfield for Bryant.

Limited upside because of Smith and a likely low TD total. That being said, I think he'll be consistent week to week with yardage and receptions.

 

[Hue G]

My earlier question was kind of lost in the shuffle but I wanted to get your take on the Seattle WR situation.

Doesn't DJax knee surgeries concern you at all? It's appearant that he has big problems with his knees!

Why are you so down on Burleson? You're so high on Hasslebeck and Burleson is his #2, if DJax isn't in he's probably #1, he's proven how effective he can be as a #2 WR in Minnesota.

 

[LHUCKS]

My earlier question was kind of lost in the shuffle but I wanted to get your take on the Seattle WR situation.Doesn't DJax knee surgeries concern you at all? It's appearant that he has big problems with his knees!Why are you so down on Burleson? You're so high on Hasslebeck and Burleson is his #2, if DJax isn't in he's probably #1, he's proven how effective he can be as a #2 WR in Minnesota.

I think Jackson will be fine and I think his knee problems are getting overblown...I'm willing to take the risk as the #12 WR off the board and have been trying to snatch him up as my WR#2 in most leagues.I think Burleson has limited upside for several reasons: -Seattle hasn't produced a lot of high PPG #2's-Seattle's D is by most accounts stronger this year which should limit passing plays, much like last year-Burleson may need an adjustment period-Burleson and Engram are more like 2a and 2b

 

[valhallan]

Thoughts on Antonio Bryant? He started to show some consistency late last year and looked decent in pre-season with the Niners. Also, I would think the emergence of Gore and addition of Davis will take some pressure off Smith and allow him to look downfield for Bryant.

Limited upside because of Smith and a likely low TD total. That being said, I think he'll be consistent week to week with yardage and receptions.

Yeah I snagged him as my 5th in a PPR. Thanks.

 

[rascal]

Really don't understand the love for Matt Jones.

People point to the 5 game stretch in which he had 4 TD's and 240+ yards receiving just before Leftwich got injured. Take a look at who he played for those games (Pittsburgh, Stl, Houston, Baltimore, and Tennessee). Granted Pittsburgh and Baltimore are good but the other three were at the bottom defensively last year. Outside of that lone Baltimore game his production was rather pedestrian.

 

[LHUCKS]

Really don't understand the love for Matt Jones.

You will.