My draft strategy usually includes grabbing any remaining team's #1 receiver before turning to the #2's (if I turn to the #2's at all). There are, of course exceptions: pseudo-#2's like Adam Thielen (or Stefon Diggs, depending on perspective) and Marvin Jones (vs. Golden Tate). But in general, unless it's a deep league, I'm not interested in a #2 that's more likely than not to be a WR5. We don't win titles with WR5s.
Last year, four of the top 20 fantasy wideouts started the year as #2's. The previously mentioned Thielen and Jones, along with Davante Adams and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The rest were #1's. So if you drafted a #1 WR last year -- including bargains like Jarvis Landry, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, Larry Fitzgerald, and Robby Anderson -- you got your money's worth and more. Of course, if you invested big in some other top-20 finishers like Mike Evans, A.J. Green, and even Julio Jones . . . well, not everyone can be a top-8 receiver.
But what about With teams' #3 receivers? Last year two #3's produced WR3 numbers: Cooper Kupp (25th best WR) and Kenny Stills (28th). For deep-leaguers, Randall Cobb (35th) and Paul Richardson (39th) Did more than several #1's and a majority of #2's.
So who's worth a close look this year? Chris Godwin (WR-65 ADP) jumps out. He's a guy I've been pushing all summer, believing he'll outproduce #2 DeSean Jackson. The only thing holding him back is spotty QB play. Godwin is a WR6 with WR4 potential.
While Danny Amendola (WR-68) has a more muddled path to WR4 production, he and Albert Wilson (WR-101) will battle it out for #3 honors behind Kenny Stills and the free-falling DeVante Parker. If Parker can't go Week 1, one of these two will be an instant WR4 with upside. Amendola is rostered in 53% of ESPN leagues? And Wilson? 2%. Streaming value is always available if we look close enough.
Kenny Golladay (WR-53) is a trendy deep-league pick. He's priced right and poised to take a step forward. And if Jones or Tate gets hurt, Golladay could realistically become a must-start WR2/3.
Of course, Cooper Kupp (WR-37) is on just about everyone's draft radar. That said, he's overvalued along with every other Rams receiver, as Jared Goff is headed toward a regression. Still, Kupp will remain an elite #3 WR.
Other lesser #3's to monitor closely: Mike Williams, who has incredible upside if Keenan Allen goes down; Mike Wallace if Alshon Jeffery missed Week 1; Dede Westbrook (or Donte Moncrief, depending on who's the official "#3" in Jacksonville; Taywan Taylor; Anthony Miller; Geronimo Allison; Michael Gallup (if Terrance Williams is technically in the top 2); Josh Doctson (though he has almost no stand-alone value); and Cameron Meredith (or Tre'Quan Smith).
So while most of these guys are worth ignoring in, say, a 12-team, 5-player-bench league, if you're in a league where WR4 production helps instead of hurts, don't forget about teams' #3's -- and the small handful who could be this year's Kupp or Stills.
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Last year, four of the top 20 fantasy wideouts started the year as #2's. The previously mentioned Thielen and Jones, along with Davante Adams and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The rest were #1's. So if you drafted a #1 WR last year -- including bargains like Jarvis Landry, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, Larry Fitzgerald, and Robby Anderson -- you got your money's worth and more. Of course, if you invested big in some other top-20 finishers like Mike Evans, A.J. Green, and even Julio Jones . . . well, not everyone can be a top-8 receiver.
But what about With teams' #3 receivers? Last year two #3's produced WR3 numbers: Cooper Kupp (25th best WR) and Kenny Stills (28th). For deep-leaguers, Randall Cobb (35th) and Paul Richardson (39th) Did more than several #1's and a majority of #2's.
So who's worth a close look this year? Chris Godwin (WR-65 ADP) jumps out. He's a guy I've been pushing all summer, believing he'll outproduce #2 DeSean Jackson. The only thing holding him back is spotty QB play. Godwin is a WR6 with WR4 potential.
While Danny Amendola (WR-68) has a more muddled path to WR4 production, he and Albert Wilson (WR-101) will battle it out for #3 honors behind Kenny Stills and the free-falling DeVante Parker. If Parker can't go Week 1, one of these two will be an instant WR4 with upside. Amendola is rostered in 53% of ESPN leagues? And Wilson? 2%. Streaming value is always available if we look close enough.
Kenny Golladay (WR-53) is a trendy deep-league pick. He's priced right and poised to take a step forward. And if Jones or Tate gets hurt, Golladay could realistically become a must-start WR2/3.
Of course, Cooper Kupp (WR-37) is on just about everyone's draft radar. That said, he's overvalued along with every other Rams receiver, as Jared Goff is headed toward a regression. Still, Kupp will remain an elite #3 WR.
Other lesser #3's to monitor closely: Mike Williams, who has incredible upside if Keenan Allen goes down; Mike Wallace if Alshon Jeffery missed Week 1; Dede Westbrook (or Donte Moncrief, depending on who's the official "#3" in Jacksonville; Taywan Taylor; Anthony Miller; Geronimo Allison; Michael Gallup (if Terrance Williams is technically in the top 2); Josh Doctson (though he has almost no stand-alone value); and Cameron Meredith (or Tre'Quan Smith).
So while most of these guys are worth ignoring in, say, a 12-team, 5-player-bench league, if you're in a league where WR4 production helps instead of hurts, don't forget about teams' #3's -- and the small handful who could be this year's Kupp or Stills.
--
SUBSCRIBE: Preaseason Top 300 Rankings
www.fantasyfootballforwinners.com (Big Blue Box registration form)
JOIN: 4th Annual Survivor Pool
officepoolstop.com/JoinLeague.aspx
League ID: 20432
Password: mariota