Second-year wideouts poised to take a fantasy leap
The 2015 NFL draft served up what was considered one of the best wide receiver classes in many years. While only a few of those draftees turned in notable rookie seasons, expect many of them to show up with a vengeance in their second year.
A few still struggle with injury issues, but most will see increased production and several are poised to become true difference-makers both in fantasy and for their own NFL teams.
• Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders: The only rookie to merit an every-week fantasy start last season, Cooper gained 1,070 yards and scored six touchdowns. This will be his second season in the same system with quarterback Derek Carr and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. As good as Cooper was, he reportedly played with plantar fasciitis for much of last year. He’s on the cusp of becoming an elite wideout, and it appears he’s ready to take the final step.
• Kevin White, Chicago Bears: The only other wide receiver taken among the top 10 in 2015, White was sidelined for all of last season with a shin injury. This is a do-over year, and there’s plenty for him to learn. But White is a 6-3, 215-pound physical freak who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds. He’s just as tall as teammate Alshon Jeffery yet even faster. The departure of tight end Martellus Bennett means the Bears won’t have their No. 2 receiver from last year. White can help the passing game rely primarily on its two starting wideouts.
• DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins: Parker also missed time because of injury as a rookie. Foot surgery in June and torn scar tissue later resulted in minimal action until Week 12. But he scored three times over those final six games and gained over 80 yards in each of his final three. New coach Adam Gase is installing a new offense, one that should benefit the wide receivers. A shorter passing scheme will make use of 6-3 Parker, who ended 2015 on a hot streak and can work the middle of the field. Parker replaces Rishard Matthews for the first of many years as the starting split end.
• Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles: His rookie campaign was a disappointment, and his offseason proved turbulent with legal issues. But Agholor still has the confidence of the Eagles coaches and remains the starting flanker. With Jordan Matthews dealing with a bone bruise on his knee, Agholor will get plenty of reps with the first-team offense learning the new scheme installed by new coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich. This is a great chance to restart his NFL career with a new coaching staff.
• Phillip Dorsett, Indianapolis Colts: A quiet rookie season was partly related to a broken ankle and the absence of quarterback Andrew Luck. But the Colts are scaling back their two-tight-end formations for three-wide sets, which get Dorsett onto the field even more often. Defenses had enough to worry about with Luck under center without adding a wideout with 4.3 speed blazing downfield on a post route. This is the year Dorsett becomes an integral part of the passing game.
• Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers: Despite being 6-4 and 225 pounds, Funchess struggled to find a consistent place in the Panthers passing scheme. But he scored five touchdowns over the final nine games and topped 100 yards once. He’s had an outstanding training camp, which suggests a big step up is in store for 2016. The return of Kelvin Benjamin not only means Funchess will not be the primary target but also that the secondary won’t be focused on stopping him. A tougher schedule this year likely will force quarterback Cam Newton to throw more often.
• Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks: When Russell Wilson caught fire over the second half of the 2015 season, Lockett became his No. 2 target behind Doug Baldwin. Lockett scored five touchdowns over the final seven weeks and turned in three catches for 75 yards and a score in a playoff loss to the Panthers. Lockett is in the ideal situation for a second-year breakout. He’ll be used all over the offense to make use of his speed and open-field ability. The ground-and-pound days of Marshawn Lynch are over, and Seattle will again turn to the passing game to score points.
• Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers: The suspension of Martavis Bryant left a big void for the Steelers to fill, and Coates will step into that role. Granted, he only had one catch as a rookie, so an increase is certain. But he has worked with the first team since the offseason. Coates is part of a highly productive passing offense and has impressed in the offseason and training camp. Tight end Heath Miller retired; Ladarius Green was acquired as a replacement, but health problems might leave him unavailable. That leaves the Steelers even more short-handed at receiver. Coates falls into a golden opportunity.
• Clive Walford, Oakland Raiders: He might be a tight end officially, but he’ll look a lot like a wideout this year. Walford ended his first season with a respectable 28 catches for 329 yards and three scores. He’s expected to make the big leap during offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave’s second season. Walford caught 15 passes over his final five games of 2015 and was drafted expressly for his receiving skills.
• Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins: Already a big surprise, the 2015 fourth-rounder ended last year with 59 catches for 604 yards and two scores while filling in for missing starters. He is the right size for a slot receiver at 5-8 and 182 pounds, and he has already drawn praise from quarterback Kirk Cousins. Rookie Josh Doctson will figure into the offense as well, but his future will be to replace either DeSean Jackson or Pierre Garcon, both of whom are in the final year of their contracts. Crowder will remain next year and beyond as the third-down possession receiver.
• Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings: The fifth-round pick exceeded all expectations when he ended as the Vikings No. 1 receiver last year with 52 catches for 720 yards and four touchdowns. The team drafted Laquon Treadwell this year, and he’ll assume a significant role sooner than later. But Diggs moves to the slot, where he’ll provide a possession role that will assure an increase in receptions. He’s already been the star of training camp and has chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater.
There’s an amazing level of promise from last year’s receiving class. Breshad Perriman of the Baltimore Ravens still struggles with his health, and Dorial Green-Beckham will have to start from scratch after he was traded this week to the Philadelphia Eagles. But the rest of last year’s early picks warrant serious consideration in 2016 fantasy drafts.