DropKick
Footballguy
In the Coleman thread, Dez made the comment "2016 draft starting to look like a train wreck for most everyone's top rated WR's Treadwell, Coleman and Doctson was most people's 1-2-3 rated WR's in some order.". I thought this deserved its own thread since I've noticed this isn't isolated to 2016. Historically, the "blue chip" WRs have lived up to their billing but, recently, the top prospects flame out with regularity and a stud emerges from the next tier or two.
The top three rookies from 2017 were Mike Williams, Corey Davis and John Ross. In fact, all three were top 10 NFL draft picks. Zay Jones was also a popular pick. Its too early to evaluate the class, but does anyone look like a true #1 WR? Meanwhile, Juju was overlooked by many. As I recall, there were concerns about speed or, at least, the label of a "possession WR". He also may have had the USC stigma - expected to under perform as have a string of previous USC alumni WRs.
The 2016 WR class featured Treadwell, Coleman and Doctson. Will Fuller was also a 1st round NFL selection. Fuller may be a one trick pony and certainly has been inconsistent. Michael Thomas emerged from the next tier.
2015 gave us 6 first round NFL picks. Amari Cooper, Kevin White, Devante Parker, Nelson Agholor, Breshard Perriman, and Phillip Dorsett. Is this a historically bad group of first rounders? More was expected from Cooper and each season seems to have another reason for not meeting expectations (admittedly high expectations). Stefon Diggs was around the 12th WR off the board? The other fantasy viable players were found much later in the draft, Ty Montgomery, Tyler Locket, Devin Funchess and Jamison Crowder.
2014 was the last year where the top of the class met expectations; Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham, Brandin Cooks and Kelvin Benjamin were first round picks.
This years top WRs are DJ Moore, Calvin Ridley and Courtland Sutton. Only the first two were NFL 1st rounders and they didn't go until picks 24 and 26, respectively - relatively late for the first WRs off the board. Will this class meet the same fate as recent classes? I'm not thrilled about Moore's situation; Ridley is so thin and Sutton, although I like the situation long term, will likely be buried as a rookie. Who are the potential dark horses? Perhaps James Washington or Michael Gallup?
What do the break-out WRs have in common? Situation, for one. The Steelers do a great job of drafting/cultivating WRs. Thomas also went to a proficient offense, perhaps the perfect one, in New Orleans. Mixed feelings on Minny, but overall, I believe Diggs went to a plus destination. His best production, as well as that of Fuller and Agholor, coincided with improved QB play. Gallup and Washington both go to quality teams. Opportunity is wide open (pun intended) in Dallas. On the other end of the spectrum, is the pie big enough in Pittsburgh? Could an injury create an opportunity for Washington?
So, does situation trump talent? Personally, I've always drafted for talent. Can a talented player overcome a bad situation? Is the league in a continual state of evolution where changes in offensive schemes have made the position more difficult to predict, at least from a fantasy perspective? Other thoughts?
The top three rookies from 2017 were Mike Williams, Corey Davis and John Ross. In fact, all three were top 10 NFL draft picks. Zay Jones was also a popular pick. Its too early to evaluate the class, but does anyone look like a true #1 WR? Meanwhile, Juju was overlooked by many. As I recall, there were concerns about speed or, at least, the label of a "possession WR". He also may have had the USC stigma - expected to under perform as have a string of previous USC alumni WRs.
The 2016 WR class featured Treadwell, Coleman and Doctson. Will Fuller was also a 1st round NFL selection. Fuller may be a one trick pony and certainly has been inconsistent. Michael Thomas emerged from the next tier.
2015 gave us 6 first round NFL picks. Amari Cooper, Kevin White, Devante Parker, Nelson Agholor, Breshard Perriman, and Phillip Dorsett. Is this a historically bad group of first rounders? More was expected from Cooper and each season seems to have another reason for not meeting expectations (admittedly high expectations). Stefon Diggs was around the 12th WR off the board? The other fantasy viable players were found much later in the draft, Ty Montgomery, Tyler Locket, Devin Funchess and Jamison Crowder.
2014 was the last year where the top of the class met expectations; Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham, Brandin Cooks and Kelvin Benjamin were first round picks.
This years top WRs are DJ Moore, Calvin Ridley and Courtland Sutton. Only the first two were NFL 1st rounders and they didn't go until picks 24 and 26, respectively - relatively late for the first WRs off the board. Will this class meet the same fate as recent classes? I'm not thrilled about Moore's situation; Ridley is so thin and Sutton, although I like the situation long term, will likely be buried as a rookie. Who are the potential dark horses? Perhaps James Washington or Michael Gallup?
What do the break-out WRs have in common? Situation, for one. The Steelers do a great job of drafting/cultivating WRs. Thomas also went to a proficient offense, perhaps the perfect one, in New Orleans. Mixed feelings on Minny, but overall, I believe Diggs went to a plus destination. His best production, as well as that of Fuller and Agholor, coincided with improved QB play. Gallup and Washington both go to quality teams. Opportunity is wide open (pun intended) in Dallas. On the other end of the spectrum, is the pie big enough in Pittsburgh? Could an injury create an opportunity for Washington?
So, does situation trump talent? Personally, I've always drafted for talent. Can a talented player overcome a bad situation? Is the league in a continual state of evolution where changes in offensive schemes have made the position more difficult to predict, at least from a fantasy perspective? Other thoughts?