There are some interesting low-end bargains and unheralded near-elite players out there--some on waivers, others still available via trade. Using ESPN's rankings as a barometer (http://espn.go.com/fantasy/football/story/_/page/TMRtop200wk12/matthew-berry-week-12-fantasy-football-rankings-top-200), here are some WRs who will do far better than expected:
(1) WR Jarvis Landry (ESPN rank: 56th best WR)
When a team's #2 receiver is facing a middling passing defense, he should not be ranked 56th at his position. Landry is young, is talented, has shown great chemistry with QB Ryan Tannehill, and is a near lock to improve. 10+ fantasy points should be expected.
(2) WR Michael Floyd (ESPN rank: 55th best WR)
I guessed wrong on Seattle's defense this preseason, drafting them in both of my leagues, and taking big hits as a result. The supposedly "vaunted" D boasts the NFL's second fewest sacks (13) and seventh fewest interceptions (6). Sure, they keep opposing QBs from racking up big yards. But Floyd will be much better than a WR4/5 this week. Last week I Tweeted that Floyd's value would rise, while Larry Fitzgerald's would fall. That's how it went Sunday, and that's how it'll go this weekend, when Floyd should net at least 9 fantasy points.
(3) WR Pierre Garcon (ESPN rank: 52nd best WR)
When ESPN ranked Garcon 14th among WRs this preseason, I wrote on this blog all of the reasons why that was one of the most ridiculous predictions on the Internet (slight exaggeration, but you get my meaning). Now they've given up on the guy after he's hit rock bottom, with only 1 fantasy point in his last 2 games. Rather than selling low, I'm buying low. The Redskins' season is over. But they're still going to find a way to get Garcon back involved. Predicting 8+ points for the formerly heralded WR.
(4) WR Kenny Stills (ESPN rank: 46th best WR)
Brandin Cooks' injury opens the door for Stills, who in his rookie season last year had 4 games with at least 12 fantasy points. ESPN's rankings haven't kept up with the latest realities, which suggest Stills is a great bet for 70+ yards and a score. Predicting at least 13 fantasy points.
(5) WR Terrance Williams (ESPN rank: 43rd best WR)
Williams was nearly a WR1 in the season's first five weeks. In the last 2, he's scored a total of 1 fantasy point. There's a tendency to give up on guys like Williams when they start to struggle. My view is that if they're talented enough to fill up stat sheets, if they're not injured, if they're still in their prime, and if they're not in some coach's doghouse, they will rebound. Chalk Williams up for 11+ fantasy points, pissing off a lot of people who benched him.
(1) WR Jarvis Landry (ESPN rank: 56th best WR)
When a team's #2 receiver is facing a middling passing defense, he should not be ranked 56th at his position. Landry is young, is talented, has shown great chemistry with QB Ryan Tannehill, and is a near lock to improve. 10+ fantasy points should be expected.
(2) WR Michael Floyd (ESPN rank: 55th best WR)
I guessed wrong on Seattle's defense this preseason, drafting them in both of my leagues, and taking big hits as a result. The supposedly "vaunted" D boasts the NFL's second fewest sacks (13) and seventh fewest interceptions (6). Sure, they keep opposing QBs from racking up big yards. But Floyd will be much better than a WR4/5 this week. Last week I Tweeted that Floyd's value would rise, while Larry Fitzgerald's would fall. That's how it went Sunday, and that's how it'll go this weekend, when Floyd should net at least 9 fantasy points.
(3) WR Pierre Garcon (ESPN rank: 52nd best WR)
When ESPN ranked Garcon 14th among WRs this preseason, I wrote on this blog all of the reasons why that was one of the most ridiculous predictions on the Internet (slight exaggeration, but you get my meaning). Now they've given up on the guy after he's hit rock bottom, with only 1 fantasy point in his last 2 games. Rather than selling low, I'm buying low. The Redskins' season is over. But they're still going to find a way to get Garcon back involved. Predicting 8+ points for the formerly heralded WR.
(4) WR Kenny Stills (ESPN rank: 46th best WR)
Brandin Cooks' injury opens the door for Stills, who in his rookie season last year had 4 games with at least 12 fantasy points. ESPN's rankings haven't kept up with the latest realities, which suggest Stills is a great bet for 70+ yards and a score. Predicting at least 13 fantasy points.
(5) WR Terrance Williams (ESPN rank: 43rd best WR)
Williams was nearly a WR1 in the season's first five weeks. In the last 2, he's scored a total of 1 fantasy point. There's a tendency to give up on guys like Williams when they start to struggle. My view is that if they're talented enough to fill up stat sheets, if they're not injured, if they're still in their prime, and if they're not in some coach's doghouse, they will rebound. Chalk Williams up for 11+ fantasy points, pissing off a lot of people who benched him.