Whether you compete in a regular league or daily leagues, bargain-basement WRs with high upside are everywhere. Last week alone, among the 24 highest scoring WRs in standard-scoring leagues, nine were rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues--with six of these rostered in 5.2% or fewer leagues:
Dwayne Harris (3.6%) - 10 points
Ryan Grant (0.1%) - 10 points
Marcus Easley (0.0%) - 11 points
Chris Conley (0.4%) - 12 points
Tyler Lockett (9.7%) - 13 points
Robert Woods (5.2%) - 14 points
Danny Amendola (15.2%) - 14 points
Stefon Diggs (39.8%) -- 16 points
Nate Washington (5.2%) - 24 points
Look at all that value. By comparison, only four of the top 24 RBs last week were "surprising," and two of them (Darren McFadden and Khiry Robinson) already had a borderline productive (RB4/5) track record.
Heading into this weekend, who are some barely-on-the-radar WRs who might produce WR1/2 numbers?
Nate Washington (39th ranked WR, based on 128 fantasy experts compiled by FantasyPros) -- He has a great matchup and should be Brian Hoyer's #2 target. Hoyer already is one of my favorite bargain QBs of the week. Expect at least eight points from Washington.
Dorial Green-Beckham (58th ranked WR) -- DGB was ignored last week. I believe it won't happen again. A potential future #1 WR in Tennessee, Green-Beckham is still learning the ropes in the NFL. He remains a fantastic red zone target, and is a huge breakout candidate with Tennessee (1-5) playing for the future.
Donteea Dye (68th ranked WR) -- Sometimes math comes in handy in fantasy football. One receiver (Mike Evans) plus one receiver (Dye) plus one tight end (ASJ, assuming no setbacks) equals three receivers for Jameis Winston to choose from. Yes, Doug Martin and Charles Sims will get some touches. But this game could be over by halftime, meaning plenty of throws, meaning Dye has a decent shot at relevancy.
Justin Hardy (86th ranked WR) -- The rookie might make his NFL debut with Leonard Hankerson and Nick Williams hurt. Matt Ryan has publicly praised Hardy multiple times since the summer. In what should be a blowout win vs. Tampa Bay, Hardy is a fantastic boom-bust play.
Jaron Brown (104th ranked WR) or J.J. Nelson (unranked among top 133 WRs) -- It doesn't get much deeper than Brown and Nelson. But if John Brown's injury keeps him sidelined, Arizona will need a #3 receiver. Brown has the experience, but it's a question of who gets the opportunity. 30+ yards and a cheap TD are possible--not likely, but possible--for the bold managers out there.
Dwayne Harris (3.6%) - 10 points
Ryan Grant (0.1%) - 10 points
Marcus Easley (0.0%) - 11 points
Chris Conley (0.4%) - 12 points
Tyler Lockett (9.7%) - 13 points
Robert Woods (5.2%) - 14 points
Danny Amendola (15.2%) - 14 points
Stefon Diggs (39.8%) -- 16 points
Nate Washington (5.2%) - 24 points
Look at all that value. By comparison, only four of the top 24 RBs last week were "surprising," and two of them (Darren McFadden and Khiry Robinson) already had a borderline productive (RB4/5) track record.
Heading into this weekend, who are some barely-on-the-radar WRs who might produce WR1/2 numbers?
Nate Washington (39th ranked WR, based on 128 fantasy experts compiled by FantasyPros) -- He has a great matchup and should be Brian Hoyer's #2 target. Hoyer already is one of my favorite bargain QBs of the week. Expect at least eight points from Washington.
Dorial Green-Beckham (58th ranked WR) -- DGB was ignored last week. I believe it won't happen again. A potential future #1 WR in Tennessee, Green-Beckham is still learning the ropes in the NFL. He remains a fantastic red zone target, and is a huge breakout candidate with Tennessee (1-5) playing for the future.
Donteea Dye (68th ranked WR) -- Sometimes math comes in handy in fantasy football. One receiver (Mike Evans) plus one receiver (Dye) plus one tight end (ASJ, assuming no setbacks) equals three receivers for Jameis Winston to choose from. Yes, Doug Martin and Charles Sims will get some touches. But this game could be over by halftime, meaning plenty of throws, meaning Dye has a decent shot at relevancy.
Justin Hardy (86th ranked WR) -- The rookie might make his NFL debut with Leonard Hankerson and Nick Williams hurt. Matt Ryan has publicly praised Hardy multiple times since the summer. In what should be a blowout win vs. Tampa Bay, Hardy is a fantastic boom-bust play.
Jaron Brown (104th ranked WR) or J.J. Nelson (unranked among top 133 WRs) -- It doesn't get much deeper than Brown and Nelson. But if John Brown's injury keeps him sidelined, Arizona will need a #3 receiver. Brown has the experience, but it's a question of who gets the opportunity. 30+ yards and a cheap TD are possible--not likely, but possible--for the bold managers out there.