Blue-Kun
Footballguy
These are all guys that have fallen down draft boards a bit and don't get much press (Ok, except Burly Man), however they have the potential to be a top 20 WR this season.
Derrick Mason: Yes, the QB situation sucks. See last year and you'll note that's not really a change here. There's still very few legitmate threats to steal targets away from Mason here, Heap (if healthy) will get some and there will be dump-offs to McGahee, however the bulk of the remaining passing game has yet to really flow toward any WR that isn't Mason. Clayton has a disappointing year Demetrius Williams hasn't stepped up yet. Realistically Mason can still constitute a big chunk of the BAL passing game, yet I see him get very little press or love on these boards or around FF sites. I know age-wise he's getting up there, but for PPR this guy is a machine.
Last year he only had 2 games where he scored less than 9 pts and 7 where he scored over 16. Sure you won't see a 30+ pt game like you might see out of Moss or Wayne, but he'll rarely let you down. For example a wonder-kin like Wes Welker who is going between WR12-15 this year had 4 games under 9pts and and was outscored outright by Mason in about half his games.
Even if you think he'll regress to some degree, if he even scores his 05 numbers, that would keep him in the top 20 of a stacked WR group this year.
Nate Burleson: Since 2002 Seattle has had one WR in the top 20 for PPR every year, save 2005. With Engram and Branch both hurt, this may be Burleson's chance to shine. He'll be the default #1 for at least the first 4 regular season games and if he performs well they'll likely keep him there for the season. He was the 31st ranked WR in 07 with only 50 receptions. If you think he'll get around 75, it becomes hard to believe that he won't be a top 20 guy barring injury.
Chris Chambers: Yeah he has bad hands. If Gates missed any significant time, other than rushing LT a little more they'll HAVE to air the ball out to Chambers more. Who else on the team has this guys talent? Vinny Jackson? Craig 'Buster' Davis? Not much here. I feel he falls under the Burleson criteria, best receiving talent on the team who isn't hurt. It doesn't take much to improve a 10.2FPG avg and if he does, he'll easily make the top 20.
Laveranues Coles: Coles had horrible QB play, missed a significant portion of the season and was competing with Cotchery to the point where the two seem like WR1a and WR1b for the Jets. Despite this, he finished the season in the top 40 and had 14.1FPG. Flash-forward to now, the Jets have an improved O-line and Brett Favre throwing the rock now. I know the popular wagon is all about Cotchery now, but Coles has two things going for him. The first is experience, the second is that people don't seem to be paying Coles much mind, instead just focusing on Cotchery. This means come draft day, there's the potential of a slide-down while people are busy tripping over themselves trying to get JC.
This is a bit odd, since I think Cotchery is just better at this stage of both people's careers, but I think the production here could end up very close depending if Favre gets a 'favorite' or not between the two. And if it does end up the same, you may end up getting it for half a round to a full round later.
Thoughts, Flames?
Derrick Mason: Yes, the QB situation sucks. See last year and you'll note that's not really a change here. There's still very few legitmate threats to steal targets away from Mason here, Heap (if healthy) will get some and there will be dump-offs to McGahee, however the bulk of the remaining passing game has yet to really flow toward any WR that isn't Mason. Clayton has a disappointing year Demetrius Williams hasn't stepped up yet. Realistically Mason can still constitute a big chunk of the BAL passing game, yet I see him get very little press or love on these boards or around FF sites. I know age-wise he's getting up there, but for PPR this guy is a machine.
Last year he only had 2 games where he scored less than 9 pts and 7 where he scored over 16. Sure you won't see a 30+ pt game like you might see out of Moss or Wayne, but he'll rarely let you down. For example a wonder-kin like Wes Welker who is going between WR12-15 this year had 4 games under 9pts and and was outscored outright by Mason in about half his games.
Even if you think he'll regress to some degree, if he even scores his 05 numbers, that would keep him in the top 20 of a stacked WR group this year.
Nate Burleson: Since 2002 Seattle has had one WR in the top 20 for PPR every year, save 2005. With Engram and Branch both hurt, this may be Burleson's chance to shine. He'll be the default #1 for at least the first 4 regular season games and if he performs well they'll likely keep him there for the season. He was the 31st ranked WR in 07 with only 50 receptions. If you think he'll get around 75, it becomes hard to believe that he won't be a top 20 guy barring injury.
Chris Chambers: Yeah he has bad hands. If Gates missed any significant time, other than rushing LT a little more they'll HAVE to air the ball out to Chambers more. Who else on the team has this guys talent? Vinny Jackson? Craig 'Buster' Davis? Not much here. I feel he falls under the Burleson criteria, best receiving talent on the team who isn't hurt. It doesn't take much to improve a 10.2FPG avg and if he does, he'll easily make the top 20.
Laveranues Coles: Coles had horrible QB play, missed a significant portion of the season and was competing with Cotchery to the point where the two seem like WR1a and WR1b for the Jets. Despite this, he finished the season in the top 40 and had 14.1FPG. Flash-forward to now, the Jets have an improved O-line and Brett Favre throwing the rock now. I know the popular wagon is all about Cotchery now, but Coles has two things going for him. The first is experience, the second is that people don't seem to be paying Coles much mind, instead just focusing on Cotchery. This means come draft day, there's the potential of a slide-down while people are busy tripping over themselves trying to get JC.
This is a bit odd, since I think Cotchery is just better at this stage of both people's careers, but I think the production here could end up very close depending if Favre gets a 'favorite' or not between the two. And if it does end up the same, you may end up getting it for half a round to a full round later.
Thoughts, Flames?
