WR sleepers: Watch for Philly's Jackson
There are running backs and quarterbacks who may raise our eyebrows with a brilliant pass or jailbreak run to the end zone. Given the 24-hour news cycle, you'll see the play 900 times, almost to the point where you can draw it frame-for-frame in your sketch pad. Most of the time, those big-time runs and throws fade to the shadows and you return to discussions about "the usual suspects." That's not the case at wide receiver.
The wide receiver position lays claim to a large number of the game's most colorful characters. We celebrate media day when Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens and a host of others hold court. We also pay closer attention to their on-field efforts, as fantasy owners need to field three or more receivers in most league formats. Therefore, the potential emergence of a new deep threat forces us to cast a wider net.
As the season approaches and cuts are made, I'll revisit this topic. I could certainly put another 15-20 players on the radar right now. But, in the interest of brevity, I'll provide an updated hot list of wide receiver sleeper prospects. Some of the usual suspects are there (I've spared you the reviews of Ronald Curry and Vincent Jackson in this instance), but we'll bring up some emerging options, starting in the desert.
Former California Bears standout DeSean Jackson was already on the fantasy radar as a result of his 12 catches for 122 yards in the Eagles' first two preseason games. Jackson now takes a huge leap forward with Wednesday's news that Kevin Curtis will be sidelined by surgery for a sports hernia. The Eagles have already been hit by the injury bug, with both Jason Avant and Reggie Brown slowed in camp. If Donovan McNabb is to rally in the MVP race as some have suggested, he'll need his speedy rookie wideout to play big.
Speaking of injuries, the Seattle Seahawks continue to hold an open competition at wideout. Nate Burleson is the lone veteran set to take the field for the season opener, leaving the door open for 6-foot-4 speedster Jordan Kent to make some noise. Kent caught a touchdown in the preseason opener and then posted 50 receiving yards against Chicago in Week 2. He's still raw, to be sure, but there's no teaching size and speed. With Bobby Engram out for at least the first month of the year, and with Deion Branch's return still in the air, Kent will see some PT to open the year.
Robert Meachem is still a work in progress, having missed all of his rookie year because of injury. However, the second-year playmaker for the Saints has a shot to become the No. 3 receiver behind Marques Colston and David Patten. Meachem demonstrated great athleticism and body control in the preseason opener and will certainly make his mark sometime during the 2008 season for this high-flying New Orleans offense.
I've written extensively about the game-breaking speed of returner/receiver Steve Breaston of the Cardinals, as it appears that he's set to lock down the third receiver slot in Arizona. Bryant Johnson averaged 42 receptions during the past four years in that role, so there are certainly enough balls flying deep to put Breaston in front of fantasy owners. Breaston has looked good in his preseason work and caught a touchdown in his last outing. Defensive coordinators already have their hands full with Anquan Boldin (we'll leave his contract issue for another time) and Larry Fitzgerald. Imagine the upside for Matt Leinart with a consistent speed threat at the No. 3 position. Playoffs?
The San Francisco offense is, uh, a work in progress. Mike Martz is combing through his 1,500-page playbook to find a system for presumptive starter J.T. O'Sullivan (that's the hip phrase in political speech, so why not drop it here?). If you're looking for a true darkhorse candidate at wide receiver, rookie Josh Morgan out of Virginia Tech fits the bill. He caught five passes for 114 yards and a touchdown against the Packers, raising the eyebrows of the San Francisco staff and its fans, perhaps giving them a downfield playmaker to open space for Frank Gore. With Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie and Bryant Johnson having been sidelined by injuries, Morgan has made the most of his looks. I don't know that you need to draft Morgan unless you're in a deep, deep league, but he's certainly one to watch.
Rookies James Hardy and Limas Sweed are on fantasy draft lists for their expected contributions in the red zone. Both players dwarf opposing cornerbacks and know how to create space. Hardy is the better option, as he's likely an every-down player for the Bills. Sweed will open the year as a specialist with upside.
Ted Ginn, Jr. tallied four catches for 58 yards in the second preseason game for the Dolphins and currently sits atop the Miami depth chart. The second-year playmaker from Ohio State has the hands and speed to become a downfield threat for Chad Pennington. Six of his 34 catches as a rookie went for more than 20 yards. Can Chad hit the home run?
Donte' Stallworth assumes the third role in Cleveland, leaving a huge opportunity for a new receiving option to emerge in New England. Right now, it appears that veteran Jabar Gaffney, who caught 36 balls for 449 yards and five scores last season, has the edge over Chad Jackson, who has had some concentration lapses in his limited preseason efforts. I like the winner in the battle, regardless, but it strikes me that Bill Belichick will opt for the fundamentally sound veteran Gaffney over the enticing speed of Jackson. Take a shot at Gaffney later on draft day, but keep an eye on Jackson's development.
The winner of the third receiver slot with the Jets will benefit from Brett Favre's willingness to gamble downfield. Both Brad Smith and Chansi Stuckey have been impressive in camp and should have a role in the offense. Barring an injury to Laveranues Coles or Jerricho Cotchery, neither will register huge reception totals, but they should both be on the radar.
In the middle of this piece celebrating youth, I need to present a possible veteran opportunist. Muhsin Muhammad returns to the scene of his greatest successes and will open the year as the No. 1 receiver with Steve Smith out on suspension. I will admit, however, that I will be watching with a pen and paper to see how many Chicago defenders take a run on their ex-teammate in Week 2. Muhammad is a great possession receiver who should pile up catches for those of you in PPR leagues from a healthy Jake Delhomme.
Green Bay receiver James Jones was on the list last year. He's certainly bouncing up the charts following his touchdown grab in the preseason opener. Jones caught the ball, took a big hit and then sprinted to the end zone without his helmet. Remember, he worked extensively with Aaron Rodgers last season and could benefit immensely from the shift at quarterback. The attention afforded Greg Jennings could open up spots for Jones downfield. Now, you just have to decide how much you believe in Rodgers.
My enthusiasm for the prospects of Houston receiver/returner Jacoby Jones have tempered after watching tapes demonstrating his concentration lapses in the return game. Several miscues on special teams may result in Jones being dropped down the depth chart. I'm cautiously optimistic he'll rebound in the final two preseason games to join fellow Houston sleeper Kevin Walter (65 catches and 800 receiving yards last year) in the good graces of fantasy owners. Jones has the speed to blow past opponents, but he needs to give Lester Hayes a call to get some Stickum.
The third receiver slot in the high-octane Dallas receiving corps remains up for grabs. Miles Austin and Sam Hurd are the most likely candidates for the role, with Austin having held the lead before sustaining a sprained MCL in his right knee. He'll be sidelined for 4-6 weeks, opening the door for Hurd to assume the role. Hurd has openly stated his desire to become a possession receiver in combination with his special teams effort. Austin demonstrated great athleticism on his five-yard touchdown grab against the Broncos and will compete for a role upon receiving his medical clearance. For now, owners can take a flyer on Hurd in the final rounds and watch how he gels with Tony Romo early. Keep an eye on the pages of FOXSports.com for updates on Austin.
Finally, I had to circle back to a former fantasy hero who epitomizes the sentiment expressed in the Bon Jovi "Who says you can't go home?" song. Following weeks of speculation and denials, the Bengals re-signed embattled receiver Chris Henry. The shoulder injury sustained by Chad Johnson evidently sealed the deal. Henry has long intrigued fantasy owners, and rightly so. He's a strong downfield threat with good hands whose presence will aid Carson Palmer and his fellow receivers. Since Henry isn't available to the Bengals for the first four weeks of the season, you can probably just add him to your "watch" list. But, in the interest of weaving in the whole jungle cat theme, be ready to pounce once he returns to the lineup.
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