Wednesday
THE JORDY DILEMMA
If you were like me and looking to cash in on "Hands McGee's" (Packers receiver Jordy Nelson) consistency and volumninous production, you used a high draft selection to nab the league's number six receptions leader (98), number four receiving yards (1,519 yards), and tied for second in touchdowns (13); arguably one of the top fantasy options for 2015.
As it always does every year, injuries play a big part of the pro game, as well as the fantasy game. If you spent one of your top draft selections on Nelson, than you are in the same boat as myself and many others now looking for help through the fantasy waiver wire or even trades.
With Nelson's season over with the knee injury, you know he is going to work hard to come back, and you just know he will (and YOU can too). Even if your top pick or number one wide receiver is shelved for the season, there is time to recover and bounce back.
In my recent draft (a 10-team PPR/IDP league), our rounds went 25 deep so there were quite a few receivers taken that are likely to still be available in many leagues that draft 20 rounds or less. In the league I play, we start two wide receivers with a flex (so we can use three in our starting lineup). On that note with this season another one of those 'years of the wide receiver" (a position that appears very deep this season), some of the more appealing names that came off the board include the following;
Eric Decker, NYJ - 15th round, 3rd pick
Michael Crabtree, Oak, - 15th round, 8th pick
Davante Adams, GB - 16th round, 2nd pick
Malcom Floyd, SD - 17th round, 1st pick
Charles Johnson, Min - 17th round, 7th pick
Donte Moncrief, IND - 24th round, 1st pick
In this group, the notables are Adams, Johnson, and Moncrief. With Nelson out, Adams value will rise significantly as well as his 66 targets from a year ago. In Minnesota, Johnson (59 targets in 2014) could be lining up to be one of quarterback Teddy Bridgewaters more reliable targets, as he averaged nearly seven a game for the final seven weeks of the regular season.
Moncrief came on the scene a year ago as a big-play option nabbing 32 ball on 49 targets for nearly 14 yards a grab. With quarterback Andy Luck set to have another stellar and productive fantasy season expect to see Moncrief in the mix.
A couple of more names of interest that owners should be keeping a watchful eye on; wide receivers James Jones in New York, Leonard Hankerson in Atlanta, and Mohamed Sanu in Cincinnati.
In my opinion Sanu is the riskier of the three with a shaky quarterback at best in Andy Dalton, but he returns in 2015 with 98 targets under his belt and a lot of familiarity with his QB. Jones looks on track to make the Giants as their number 4 reciever, but that's no guarantee. If he is released, his old stomping grounds is Lambeau and it should not surprise if they come calling; his value would spike in a hurry. Hankerson is the question-mark. With no history in Atlanta, he's working for a job, but there are whispers he's been impressive. And with wide receiver Roddy White having recently undergone surgery on his elbow, there's a door open for Hankerson.
Hope some of this information will help those of you in the same boat. Remember it's never over until the fat lady sings and this fantasy season is just getting started.
Good luck fellow players.
~David G.
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