Whether you believe (as I do) that Tyrod Taylor is a much better quarterback than teams have treated him, or rookie Justin Herbert will take the reins from Taylor early this season (just like Baker Mayfield did in 2018), the Chargers' top two receivers are painfully undervalued. I say this with 99% certainty, where 100% means I'm some kind of mystic (frightening), and where 98% is something like "Michael Thomas will be elite this year."
Despite a declining Philip Rivers hurling way too many errant passes in 2019, Keenan Allen emerged with a #6 finish at wide receiver, while the overrated Mike Williams (see my column last summer when I railed against his WR-29 ADP) landed at #40. Meanwhile, Hunter Henry was the only other receiving threat, while LA's backfield combined for a healthy 466 touches thanks in part to Melvin Gordon (who's now gone).
This summer, the fantasy universe has handed Keenan a WR-20 ADP, while Williams lags at a WR-51.
Is this for real? Does anyone think Justin Jackson will be the next Melvin Gordon, chewing up yards alongside Austin Ekeler? And does anyone think the aerial attack won't run through Keenan, Williams, and Henry? So the key variable here seems to be a near-universal dismissal of Taylor (QB-32 ADP) and Herbert (QB-31). It is assumed they will be fantasy irrelevant on their own, and when combined they won't be much better.
I couldn't disagree more, and I think Keenan's and Williams' rankings are examples of short-sighted prognosticating. It is assumed the Rivers-to-Taylor or Rivers-to-Herbert drop-off will be too steep for Keenan and Williams to overcome. While last year's numbers might not be achievable for Keenan, I see these two posting top-14 and top-40 fantasy stats, respectively. And there's a very good chance Williams hits the top 30.
Who's with me, and more importantly, who wants to push back? (You all know I love thoughtful push-back.)
Despite a declining Philip Rivers hurling way too many errant passes in 2019, Keenan Allen emerged with a #6 finish at wide receiver, while the overrated Mike Williams (see my column last summer when I railed against his WR-29 ADP) landed at #40. Meanwhile, Hunter Henry was the only other receiving threat, while LA's backfield combined for a healthy 466 touches thanks in part to Melvin Gordon (who's now gone).
This summer, the fantasy universe has handed Keenan a WR-20 ADP, while Williams lags at a WR-51.
Is this for real? Does anyone think Justin Jackson will be the next Melvin Gordon, chewing up yards alongside Austin Ekeler? And does anyone think the aerial attack won't run through Keenan, Williams, and Henry? So the key variable here seems to be a near-universal dismissal of Taylor (QB-32 ADP) and Herbert (QB-31). It is assumed they will be fantasy irrelevant on their own, and when combined they won't be much better.
I couldn't disagree more, and I think Keenan's and Williams' rankings are examples of short-sighted prognosticating. It is assumed the Rivers-to-Taylor or Rivers-to-Herbert drop-off will be too steep for Keenan and Williams to overcome. While last year's numbers might not be achievable for Keenan, I see these two posting top-14 and top-40 fantasy stats, respectively. And there's a very good chance Williams hits the top 30.
Who's with me, and more importantly, who wants to push back? (You all know I love thoughtful push-back.)