One thing we really pride ourselves on here at the Roto Street Journal is the ability to find you value where others don’t. It’s really about being able to identify the talent in those middle rounds who have the best shot at out-producing their expectations to put you over the fantasy hump. This year, there are a handful of middle round targets we love that could very well end up being bondafide WR1s when it’s all said and done. Without further ado, here are the receivers you need to make sure get targeted in your drafts
For our “Finding the RB1s in the Middle Rounds” article that is most certainly a “Title Winning Move,” subscribe here for your FREE Fantasy Football Investing Guide: Draft Day Edition, which will immediately be sent to your inbox, released on August 30th.
Tyreek Hill (ADP: 43)
If you haven’t already been beaten over the head enough with our Tyreek Hill love, here’s some more skull bashing. Currently going on average in Round 5, Hill represents the ultimate high ceiling candidate. He had a breakout rookie year in which Kansas City used him in numerous scenarios throughout the game. His production on all levels was unparalleled as he scored 12 total touchdowns. This off season, the Chiefs lost previous top receiver Jeremy Maclin, and then suffered a big blow when Spencer Ware blew out his knee and was ruled out for the season. Kansas City will need to make up a lot of production from 2016, so Hill is bound to only get better on last year’s numbers. He’s a great 4th round pick, and can even creep up into the end of the third depending on the draft landscape.
Martavis Bryant (ADP: 54)
While we all await for Bryant to be reinstated, (seriously what’s taking so long?) Bryant is ready to reassert himself into a high octane offense. Bryant’s skill and production with Ben Roethlisberger is well documented but often forgotten by the common fantasy owner. His per game stats are unbelievable, as he brings a whole other dimension to the Steelers offense. The 6’5 wide out possesses a serious height advantage over smaller secondary players and offers a huge red zone target. With plenty of attention focusing on Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, Bryant can be the silent killer that puts up WR1 numbers while playing across from the best receiver in the NFL. Bryant is currently going a tad bit later than Hill in the 6th round behind Michael Crabtree and Sammy Watkins. Bryant’s upside is ten fold compared to those two and is the way sexier option.
Kelvin Benjamin (ADP: 69)
Coming in from the off season, it looked like there was going to be a new “Club Tub” president in 2017. Eddie Lacy was ready to hand over his crown and Benjamin looked as if he had spent a month straight at his local Chinese food restaurant. We immediately shot him down our rankings as he was out of shape, and Cam Newton had a major regression with the Panthers offense in 2016. Benjamin went from an early round receiver option last year to now falling around the 7th or 8th round. Benjamin has been very productive in his preseason action so far and is making flashy plays left and right. He’s back to being the WR1 in Carolina and is asserting himself in the red zone which will help to separate himself from other fantasy receivers. The Panthers have added play makers to their team through the draft, so it’s likely we’ll see an overall upswing in offensive production in 2017.
Guys, I think Kelvin Benjamin heard the internet making fun of him for showing up fat to OTAs. #KeepPounding #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/Okds2UQ8BL
— Roto Street Journal (@RotoStJournal) August 9, 2017
DeVante Parker (ADP: 95)
The DeVante Parker hype train has been plodding around the country for years now, waiting for more people to board the rather empty locomotive. The former first round pick has tons of talent, but we just haven’t seen it consistently show yet. QB Ryan Tannehill hasn’t been much of a downfield passer putting up huge yardage, so when he went down in practice and the team signed Jay Cutler things started looking up. Cutler has a HUGE arm and is known to take deep shots down the field which plays to Parker’s strengths. The two have shown very good chemistry in limited preseason games, and it’s looking a lot like Parker is going to be the Dolphins receiver you are going to want to own. With Parker going around Round 10 behind Willie Snead and Brandon Marshall, Parker is going to be selling a lot of train tickets going into 2017.
DeVante Parker is our No. 56 overall player and on the 📈. Special talent. #Dolphins #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/UnZGYNRpQf
— Roto Street Journal (@RotoStJournal) August 24, 2017
Eric Decker (ADP: 109)
Blessed yet again, Decker found himself released from the pile of shit that is the New York Jets and landed with an up and coming Tennessee Titans team. The Titans have an inexperienced receiving core with rookie Corey Davis in the fold and Rishard Matthews a year removed from being the #1 option. Decker brings veteran leadership and experience to the Titans while allowing QB Marcus Mariota to grow and develop as a passer. Decker has also been a sneaky good red zone weapon during his time in Denver and New York. He’s not exactly being treated as a starting wide receiver in the fantasy realm, as evidenced by his 11/12th round ADP. What’s good about Decker though is he has that shot to step right in and be the WR1 in Tennessee. The Titans are a trendy pick for a big improvement in 2017 with Decker leading the charge.
For our “Finding the RB1s in the Middle Rounds” article that is most certainly a “Title Winning Move,” subscribe here for your FREE Fantasy Football Investing Guide: Draft Day Edition, which will immediately be sent to your inbox, released on August 30th.
