Player Spotlight: Javon Walker (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2006 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Javon Walker, WR, Denver Broncos

Player Page Link: Javon Walker Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[Wingnut]

This is a tough one to call. Players usually arent 100% after that type of knee injury until their 2nd year back...on top of that, hes in a new system and playng at a higher altitude than hes used to for 8 games...plus he has the ageless Rod Smith on the other side, who Plummer completely trusts...

Ill give him the benefit of the doubt due to his talent and the fact that hes happy to be out of Green Bay...I think he starts slow and has a good 2nd half...

71rec, 988yds, 7tds

 

[King of the Jungle]

I see a Jerry Porter-type season.

76 - 961 - 7

 

[diesel7982]

65-850-6

 

[Sweet Love]

The potential is there for Walker to have a great season, and while the injury weighs on my mind, I am not too worried about it since it happened early last year and ACL injuries do not affect WRs in the same way as they do RBs (see Jerry Rice's season in 1998).

What I am worried about is the high altitude (another poster mentioned earlier) and whether Plummer will look his way. I think it will take a year for him to get used to the new system, plus with Lelie still around, there are a lot of decent WRs on that squad that will warrant looks.

I see the following: 52 catches 805 yards and 5 TDs

 

[Sack-Religious]

I don't see the altitude being a factor for Walker by the time the season rolls around. Denver's altitude, while high in comparasin to most other NFL cities, is not extreme. 5200 feet is 1585 metres. The definition of "high altitiude' usually begins at 2000+ metres, a difference of 1361 feet, making his adaptation time less that most would think. Presumably Walker will have been there through most of the off-season and all of training camp, giving himself more than enough time to adapt to the lack of oxygen in the thinner air of Denver.

If Walker stays on schedule, participates in the July mini-camp in limited fashion and is cleared for full action in training camp, I see no reason why Walker can't get:

70 Receptions

960 Yards

7 TD's

If Walker can develop a good rapport with Plummer, I can see those numbers being the floor for his production.

 

[Shiver44]

I forsee a big season from Walker.

 

[King of the Jungle]

I forsee a big season from Walker.

Wanna share more?

 

[Jon_Moore]

I forsee a big season from Walker.

Texas Ranger

 

[mlball77]

The Denver offense put up about 700 more passing yards and 9 more passing TDs in 04 than in 05. I think that their passing game is bound to bounce back a bit in 06... partially due to the arrival of Walker and partially due to the loss of Mike Anderson (solid goal line runner).

I think Walker is likely to be heavily involved in Denver's passing game and with his knack of getting into the endzone, he may become Plummer's primary passing target in the redzone.

My projection:

Recs: 75

Rec Yds: 1095

TDs: 9

 

[jerseyh8r]

I don't think I would put too much stock in his knee slowing him down. Consider how early in the year he was injured...he will be full year removed from injury and those extra few months of work are HUGE.

There is no reason to believe that Denver will not be running the ball half the time this year, especially considering the strong defense that shoudl help keep them close or in front of their oppponent most of the season. I figure about 50/50 rush pass of 1000 total offensive plays.

Denver has wanted this type of WR for years, but Lelie has let them down. Plummer will love throwing to Walker...a guy who can go downfield and also go up and get the ball in traffic. I forsee almost equal targets between Walker and Smith (26% and 25%, respectively) with Walker getting more yards/reception and more TDs, but Smith pulling in a higher percentage of his targets. In the end, they willl have an almost equal number of reception, but Walker should prove the better value with more yards and TDs

81-1290-9

ETA: I don't have Lelie figuring in much to these numbers right now (only 10% of targets)...as the pre-season goes on, he may take targets away from Walker/Smith in my projections, but right now I think he is in the doghouse and will have to fight other less talented players to see time on the field.

 

[Shiver44]

I forsee a big season from Walker.

Wanna share more?

Sorry, I planned to add more, but I had to go somewhere. - Rod Smith has to fall off sometime. If he does, Walker will be the unquestioned number one option. He already is in the role of the deep play/red zone guy.

- Jake Plummer may be motivated by the Jay Cutler pick. See; '03 Jon Kitna, '04 Drew Brees

- Easy schedule, with lots of potential shoot-outs with high-octane offenses. See games versus; Arizona, St Louis, Kansas City, Oakland, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Seattle.

- Uncertainty at RB, if Ron Dayne isn't as consistent as Anderson, they will not be able to be as run-oriented (conservative) as they were last year.

- One whole year is plenty of time for an ACL injury. His injury being so early, means he will be further into his rehab, than most players who suffer ACL injuries, at later potions of the season.

 

[pricklypete]

I believe his aptitude toward learning the offense will be a much bigger problem than his knee. There were reports that some of his troubles in relation to learning the offense was due to dyslexia. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen.

There are a lot of questions surrounding him.

Million dollar talent with a ten cent brain.

Coming off a major knee injury.

Only one real good year.

60 receptions

850 yards

4 TDs

 

[moleculo]

I don't think I would put too much stock in his knee slowing him down. Consider how early in the year he was injured...he will be full year removed from injury and those extra few months of work are HUGE.

There is no reason to believe that Denver will not be running the ball half the time this year, especially considering the strong defense that shoudl help keep them close or in front of their oppponent most of the season. I figure about 50/50 rush pass of 1000 total offensive plays.

Denver has wanted this type of WR for years, but Lelie has let them down. Plummer will love throwing to Walker...a guy who can go downfield and also go up and get the ball in traffic. I forsee almost equal targets between Walker and Smith (26% and 25%, respectively) with Walker getting more yards/reception and more TDs, but Smith pulling in a higher percentage of his targets. In the end, they willl have an almost equal number of reception, but Walker should prove the better value with more yards and TDs

81-1290-9

ETA: I don't have Lelie figuring in much to these numbers right now (only 10% of targets)...as the pre-season goes on, he may take targets away from Walker/Smith in my projections, but right now I think he is in the doghouse and will have to fight other less talented players to see time on the field.

this is almost identical to the numbers I have for Walker as well.

 

[Shiver44]

I believe his aptitude toward learning the offense will be a much bigger problem than his knee.

Fortunately for him then, Shannahan's WCO is not a lot different than Sherman's variation of the WCO.

60 receptions

850 yards

4 TDs

He didn't even have those bad of numbers as the 3rd Receiver in '03.

 

[diesel7982]

I believe his aptitude toward learning the offense will be a much bigger problem than his knee.

Fortunately for him then, Shannahan's WCO is not a lot different than Sherman's variation of the WCO.

60 receptions

850 yards

4 TDs

He didn't even have those bad of numbers as the 3rd Receiver in '03.

Except that he started part of '03, and had Brett Favre throwing to him, and wasn't playing in a new offense, coming off an ACL injury.

 

[This_Is_Not_VRR]

What makes you guys think that it would take a long time for him to adjust to the altitude? I was under the impression that you get used to the altitude in a matter of weeks. Hell, he's probably not affected by it any more.

 

[Shiver44]

Except that he started part of '03, and had Brett Favre throwing to him, and wasn't playing in a new offense, coming off an ACL injury.

It's not a new offense. Both Sherman and Shannahan use the WCO. The transition isn't going to be an issue.

 

[srnohav]

quite bringing up the altitude thing, this is a non factor. no one ever talks about it with other free agents coming in, free agents always make a comment on it when they get here the first few weeks, then they get use to it. the common person takes about three months, athletes have a lot shorter adjustment period.

the rocky mountain paper talks about Walker all of the time, he has looked real good, he is in very good shape. however he has not been making cuts yet, so until then it is hard to forcast what he will do this year. bring up the topic in early August

 

[Sinrman]

He'll be bound and determined to bounce back after last year. I'm not a fan of Plummer's, but I think Walker makes him better this year. Along with Rod Smith, I think Walker will do well...

78 receptions

1077 yards

8 TDs

 

[Shiver44]

82 Catches

1189 Yards

10 Touchdowns

 

[Heckler]

Walker is learning a new offense on top of coming back from injury...I see last half of year as more productive than first half.

1st half - 400 yards, 3 TD's

2nd half - 800 yards, 6 TD's

Total - 1200 yards, 9 TD's

 

[IGKYA!!!]

bump

 

[IGKYA!!!]

Javon Walker - Expect more of the same from the talented Walker in Denver. He shouldpickup where he left off when last seen healthy. Will immediately take over the #1 WRrole in the mile high city, and that is always a productive position in FF circles. He isreturning from acl surgery last September, and from a WR perspective, twelve monthsreturning from the injury is right about where you want to be for the dedicated pro.Plummer's scrambling abilities will only further open up the bombs away to Walker, whojust might be the best jump ball WR in the NFL. Plummer has had great success in thepast with another dominant WR (at the time) in David Boston back when both were playing forthe Cardinals. So you can expect this pair to click right away. To the tune of 1,300receiving yards (94 rec) and 10 touchdowns for the new Denver WR.

1300/10!Wow. But I guess it is what it is.......