Tier 3 – Upside WR2s
While there’s too much uncertainty or risk to make these guys desirable WR1s, they all bring immense upside to the WR2 slots. All are worth looks beginning in Round 3, and WR1 seasons are very real with any of the below prospects.
10. Brandin Cooks (NE) ↗?
For a more in-depth breakdown of Cooks’ 2017 fantasy upside, check out his “Stock Profile” now!
Stock Up Update: Now playing for the best team that’s ever existed, Cooks sees a sturdy fantasy stock up. Yes, the speedster enters a seemingly more-crowded receiving stable; yet, unlike in New Orleans, where he was losing #1 status to Michael Thomas, Cooks should be used as the Patriots alpha. Bill Belichick, the smartest man alive, would NEVER have surrendered a first rounder without major plans to use Cooks, and he and Josh McDaniels will scheme up every possible route to maximize both Cooks’ deep-ball ability and incredible run-after-the-catch moves. The Hooded one gushed over Cooks during their last meeting, a 2015 preseason contest, noting:
“I’m glad we don’t have to play him twice a year and he’s not in our division,” Belichick said, via The Times-Picayune. “He’s a really good player.”
Perhaps only Odell Beckham can rival Cooks’ ability to turn a simple eight yard crossing pattern into a 70-yard cribber; unsurprisingly, Cooks trails only OBJ in TDs of 30+ yards since 2014, when they both entered the league. You can trust this uncanny skill will be maximized in this offense and with this quarterback. 100+ catches, 1,300+ yards, and 8+ TDs almost feels like a floor here.
Ask @Mathieu_Era if @brandincooks is going to make a difference in the @Patriots offense. Short area quickness with world class deep speed! pic.twitter.com/E8G2gUuCbF
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 14, 2017
Previous Assessment: While inconsistent, Cooks scored double digits in more contests than either Amari Cooper or Doug Baldwin, topping both in fantasy points and finishing in the top-12 WRs for the second straight year. So why is he ranked below either?
Quite simply, Michael Thomas. Whereas the two wideouts alternated between 1A and 1B throughout 2016, I believe Thomas will emerge as the true alpha in 2017. Indeed, Drew Brees’ second option will carry serious fantasy weight, as the Saints should absolutely remain among the most explosive aerial attacks in the NFL. And yes, Cooks is among only a handful of guys can rip a screen 99 yards through the entire defense. He’ll still net a few 30 points weeks in 2017 for sure. Still, those disappearing acts are likely to go up, making Cooks a far more attractive WR2 than WR1.
11. Demaryius Thomas (DEN) ↗?
Stock Up Update: Already featured twice in the “Football Fantasies” (Episode 2 & Episode 4), Thomas is having an offseason that’ll cause plenty of downstairs swelling. First, new head coach Vance Joseph recognizes Thomas’ “alpha abilities,” calling out his talented wideout for not dominating games more often, before stating 2017 will change this:
“I want ‘88’ — that’s what I call him — I want him to be a dominant player all the time. I don’t want him to ease into games. I want him to be a guy. I want him to step out and be a guy. It’s time.
“He’s a great player…He can take over a game, but I want his mindset every game to be every game we play to walk on the field and take over the game… I want him to win every one-on-one. I want him to become a leader of our football team.”
Thankfully, new offensive coordinator should give Thomas every opportunity at “answering the call” here. The two worked together in 2012, where Thomas was peppered with wide receiver screens, racking up 94 catches, 1434 yards, and 10 TDs; 561 of these yards came after the catch, good for second most among WRs that season.
Thomas is well-aware of his success in this scheme, stating:
“That was kind of one of my first thoughts — the screen passes,’’ Thomas said following his team’s offseason workout Tuesday. “The years we played together with Mike were some of my best years. I look forward to it this year as well. We’ve got the potential now as well because it’s the same offense and the same system
“You will have guys running wide open over the field and it’s just about executing now. As it goes on, we’ll be sitting in a group with the receivers, running backs and quarterbacks watching those clips from those days when we broke the records and put up so many points throughout the year just so they can see it.”
In addition to play-calling and his head coach’s “dominant” wishes working in his favor, Thomas also has health on his side. 2016 was marred with hip concerns that sapped him of his usual explosiveness off the line and with the ball in his hand: “It was tough. Sometimes, I couldn’t stop and sometimes I couldn’t run certain routes that I wanted to run. Sometimes, I couldn’t get off press because I had no power in it.”
Now, after spending the early-offseason rehabbing, Thomas is at 100% and feeling ready to dominate yet again:
“Right now, I feel great. I’ve been running routes and it hasn’t been bothering me. It just depends on how you get hit now. It’s basically maintaining the hips.”
Sure, Trevor Siemian is a concern; yet, with a higher-percentage system and a step forward in his own development, Siemian should be able to deliver the mail with more than enough competence. I’m expecting a major rebound out of Demaryius, and, at his current prices, he’ll surely land on all my teams in 2017.
Previous Assessment: Of course, a QB upgrade (hi, Tony Romo) would send Thomas soaring up this board; Mike McCoy’s offensive coordinator hire is already a significant stock booster: in his last stint with McCoy calling plays, Thomas broke out for 94 catches, 1,434 yards, and 10 TDs, and McCoy has a steady track record producing Alpha WR1s. These gaudy stats came, of course, with Peyton Manning tossing the rock, and not an underpass troll named Trevor Siemian. Still, Thomas will have a playcaller who certainly knows how to maximize his skillset. His most recent 90 catch, 1083 yard, 5 TD season seems like a safe floor, and an after-the-catch talent with Thomas’ size / speed combination certainly has upside for more.
Highlights from Thomas’ last season with Mike McCoy
12. Davante Adams (GB) ?
No one’s game progressed more than Davante Adams in 2016, who had his breakout a year later than everyone expected: 75 catches, 997 yards, and a whopping 12 TDs, good for the 8th most half PPR points (.5 behind Michael Thomas). Reports emerged that he played through a brutal ankle injury all 2015, so this dominant bounce back is far more in line with what to expect moving forward. Or even better.
Think about it. Adams is only entering his fourth season. He consistently flashed chemistry on all routes with Rodgers: from back shoulder fades, to timing deep posts, to quick hitches, Adams was up and down the route tree with arguably the top signal caller not named Brady. With Jordy Nelson another year older, there’s no reason Adams can’t step up for an even greater share of this valuable target pie. At worst, he’s the clear #2 in one of the leagues most explosive aerial attacks, and another full offseason will only help him further his game. He’s the sexiest WR2 around, and I’m not kicking myself if my backfield is stacked and Adams is my top pass-catcher.
13. DeAndre Hopkins (HOU) ↗
Stock Up Update: Hopkins receives a boost simply with Brock Osweiler’s removal. Sadly, Tony Romo won’t be slinging him passes, which would’ve vaulted Hopkins well-within the Top-10, but legitimately anything is an upgrade at this point, even if only Tom Savage. I’d love to see the strong-armed Jay Cutler, who historically locks onto his #1 WRs, land in Houston, but, until we know the final QB picture in Houston, #13 seems like a fair waiting spot for one of the best wideout talents in the game.
Previous Assessment: Hideous. Disgusting. Puke-worthy. None of these adjectives accurately capture the horror of Hopkins’ Osweiler-infected 2016. Frequently drafted among the top four wideouts, Hopkins was a very worth candidate for Bust of the Year. To quote:
After a dominant 2015 in which Hopkins was welcomed into the fantasy elite, his pitiful 2016 was a steel-toed kick to the balls. Despite common belief that Brock Osweiler would help his game reach new heights, Hopkins regressed mightily in all categories: 78 catches, 954 yards, and 4 TDs, down from 111 catches – 1,521 yards – 11 TDs the year prior despite “escaping” the Carousel of Crap Quarterbacks. Infuriatingly, Hopkins continued making his circus reel toe tapping, finger tip reeling grabs, but only about three for 50 yards a game. He was simply sucked into the gaping black Oswelierian hole, and dragged fantasy hopes and dreams with him. After being selected as the 5th overall player and WR4, his 37th positional rank was undoubtedly season-ruining.
Ridding himself of his horrible case of Osweiler will be necessary for Hopkins to maintain this top-15 ranking; he’d plummet like an anchor down to the 28-30 range if bit. But really, Osweiler might be the only quarterback that can hold down such a supreme talent. The hands, body control, deceptive speed — all of it was full on display in 2016. Hopkins simply needs someone that can deliver the mail even half-competently, as a ball within 10 yards of him is getting snagged up. This ranking assumes this half-competent arm is secured, and Hopkins rebounds majorly.
14. Amari Cooper (OAK)
Many will have Cooper ranked above this, and the talent is undeniable. But so is the inconsistency, as Cooper scored single digit FPs in 50% of 2016’s contests, leading to him tallying less fantasy points than teammate Michael Crabtree in 2016.
Of course, Cooper still flashes some bonafide WR1 goods, plus he plays with one of the top signal callers in the game assuming Derek Carr‘s healthy — having Cooper even this high reflects my expectation of another leap forward in Year 3, potentially a massive one. Yet, another unpredictable, and overall streaky 2017 is certainly a real possibility, and Cooper should best be treated as a sexy WR2 as a result.
15. Doug Baldwin (SEA)
While he didn’t maintain the torrid 14-TD pace of 2015, Baldwin’s 94 catch, 1128 yard, 7 TD season kept him in the top 10 fantasy WRs for a second straight year. Similar to the Seattle offense as a whole, Baldwin was quite streaky in 2016, dropping into single digit half ppr points in 8 of his 16 games, but then topping 26 points on three other occasions.
Still, Baldwin’s role as Russell Wilson‘s #1 remains secure; if this offense improves it’s overall consistency ala their 2015 stretch run, Baldwin could yield a massive season. I imagine a mix between his insane 2015 and inconsistent 2016, leading to sexy WR2 production and perhaps even a WR1 revival. The floor and ceiling are both quite high here.
16. Alshon Jeffery (PHI)↗
Stock Up Update: I love both Alshon’s landing spot (Philly) and contract set-up (1 year, “prove-it” situation). With the Eagles, Alshon will be playing with an ascending quarterback who’s capable of far more than the nightmarish QB Carousel the Bears rolled out in 2016. He also enters a depth chart desperately in need of a bonafide WR1, yet with enough surrounding pieces (Torrey Smith, Jordan Matthews) to keep coverage honest. Should he remain on the field, Jeffery is fully capable of returning to his 2012 + 2013 form, where he was a shoe-in WR1 thanks to 89 catches, 1,421 yards and 7 TDs followed by an 85 catch, 1,133 yard, 10 TD campaign.
Injuries, of course, are the primary rub here. Jeffery’s missed significant time in 3 of 5 seasons thus far, but the “prove-it” deal could keep him active more often. A full-fledged WR1 set-up, with a major injury floor keep Alshon an ideal upside WR2.
Previous Assessment: Alshon’s tough to rank without knowing his landing spot, so we won’t spill too much ink here. Just know, despite a busty 2016, Alshon has the size, speed, and absurd hands to be an absolute terror and bonafide WR1. If he lands with the right QB (Hi, Tom Brady), Alshon has the potential to vault into the top-10. He’s easily 2017’s sexiest free agent to track for fantasy purposes.
17. Tyreek Hill (KC) ↗??
Stock Up Update: The fact this freakish talent currently carries a WR35 Expert Consensus Ranking is completely unfathomable. He was 2016’s WR14 in half ppr leagues and notched 12 total TDs despite playing less than half of the offensive snaps; meanwhile, everything from Jamaal Charles’ release to coach Andy Reid’s comments suggests a major uptick in workload:
“Growing Tyreek in the offense will be important,” coach Andy Reid told reporters this week at the NFL meetings in Phoenix.
“He was averaging 35 plays a game (in 2016),” Andy Reid told co-host Kirk Morrison and me Thursday on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Maybe he can double that or at least take it up a couple notches and allow him to get in more in a starting role…He’s innately a smart kid. We kept adding to it and he got it.
“I’d expect him to learn that whole (playbook) by the end of all the OTAs and training camp and then be even more of a threat.”
“We’re asking him to do some running back and we’re asking him to do some wide receiver so you’ve got to know those things and put yourself in a position where you can be a starter as a player,” Reid said. “Like I said, he’s innately very intelligent; he’s a smart, smart kid. Picks it up easy. And to do all the things (we did) with him is ridiculous.”
Sure, defensive coordinators can scheme for Hill more properly with actual film, but his more frequent & varied usage should make this a non-issue. Reid has always maximized his offensive talent, and his promise of an expanded role for this absurdly explosive rookie is huge. Expect a monstrous 2017 where Hill is among the most exciting players to own.
Previous Ranking: Think this is crazy? Hill actually topped this ranking during his emphatic rookie debut, scoring the 14th most WR points in half PPR formats. This is insane, given the team barely used him until Week 7… from which point he was the 6th highest scoring WR. While not a true WR necessarily, Hill is an absolute freak athlete, and Andy Reid is the king of scheming up creative ways to get his guys in space.
Sure, the league will have a year of tape. And yes, oftentimes gadget players bust (hello, Cordarrelle). Hill will be the exception. No one will be more exciting to draft in 2017, and the “way too early” ranking lists that have him around WR30 (hello, ESPN and Untalented Mr. Baldfuck) are dead wrong.
18. Keenan Allen (LAC)
Keenan, I just can’t quit you. Even though he didn’t last a full game, Keenan was back to his chain-moving, target-hogging ways to open 2016. As has become the norm, Allen suffered an ACL tear shortly after the first half, and yet another season became “what could’ve been.” Monitoring his recovery will be important, yet Allen always seems to enter camp in the “best shape yet;” I’ll certainly fall head over heels once Philip Rivers raves about how amazing his star wideout looks. The math is simple: you’ll receive WR1 numbers for as many games as Allen lasts. This may be two, or it may be a full season.
Click onto the next page for remaining WR2s, and ideal WR3s, or check out the last page for a “Cheat Sheet”
