Do Not Ignore These Late Round Fantasy WRs in 2019
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Apologies for putting that song in your head but it’s DRAFT SEASON! Regardless of what draft strategy you choose to employ, getting value on your late-round picks is going to be paramount to you winning a #FootClanTitle. This year, the value that you can find after Round 10 is ridiculous. We have recently given you articles to find late-round QBs, RBs, and TEs (links below) but the value at WR is just absurd. Of the four guys mentioned, I’m comfortable starting three of them as my WR3 and the other is maybe the best lottery ticket of 2019.
John Brown (ADP: 12.03, WR54)
Smokey has been a favorite of The Fantasy Footballers since his days in Arizona. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, only one of his 5 NFL season has been productive for fantasy purposes. But that 2015 season is an excellent point of reference for what to expect from Brown in 2019. Brown was heavily targeted by a healthy Carson Palmer and turned 101 targets into a 65/1003/7 season and a WR22 finish. Last season, he had the highest YPC of his career and now finds himself with the gigantic arm of Josh Allen in Buffalo. Even better is that his primary hurdles for ascending to the head of the class for targets are Zay Jones and Robert Foster, with Cole Beasley in the slot. Not exactly a “who’s who” of NFL WRs. Brown should be Josh Stallion’s primary WR and a repeat of his 2015 success is well within the realm of possibility. That would have him outplaying his ADP by 30 spots.
Tyrell Williams (ADP: 12.05, WR55)
What happens when you put one of the best deep-threat WRs with one of the best deep-ball throwers in the NFL? Magic, that’s what happens. But since Tyrell Williams was far from the biggest name to sign with the Raiders this offseason, he is basically being ignored in fantasy drafts. While fantasy drafters and just about every media outlet focuses on Antonion Brown, you have a chance to land a guy 10 rounds later that could lead this team in receiving yards. In 2018, according to Pro Football Focus, Derek Carr lead the NFL in the completion percentage of balls thrown 20+ yards, completing 52% of his deep passes. He also ranks 3rd in that stat over the last three years, behind Russell Wilson and Drew Brees. In 2018, Tyrell Williams was top-15 in the league in Air Yards Per Target, Receiving Yards Per Target, and Yards Per Reception. This is a match made in heaven. If Brown doesn’t play, Williams will see the most targets of his career. If Brown does play, he will open up the field for Williams to be the most efficient of his career. It’s a Win-Win-Win. The 3rd win is you winning a #FootClanTitle after drafting Williams.
Josh Gordon (ADP: 12.08, WR56)
Lottery ticket time. Josh Gordon has burned many a fantasy owner over the years so you are forgiven if you rolled your eyes when you saw his name. The fact of the matter remains, in just 11 games with the Patriots last season, Gordon racked up 720 yards and three TDs. That extrapolates out to a full-season total of just over 1000 yards and 4/5 TDs…or a WR22 finish in 2018. He also scored 10+ fantasy points in six of those 11 games. It is 100% understandable if you avoid Gordon altogether but if he is reinstated, he could be a high ceiling WR2 drafted with the WR5s.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Albert Wilson (He’s Free, N/A)
Last year, I told anyone that would listen that Kenny Stills was the Dolphins WR to own. New Year, New Offense, New Me! I’m official #TeamBert for 2019. The biggest reason for my allegiance is the scheme change. New head coach Brian Flores and offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea are both from the Patriots Coaching Tree and will likely turn the Dolphins into New England South. The most productive role in that offense has routinely been the slot role held by the likes of Wes Welker and Julian Edelman. This is the exact role that Wilson projects into for 2019. His 2018 was cut short by an injury, that he is still currently mending, but it was fun to watch him play last year. In only seven games, Wilson caught 74% of the balls thrown his way and scored four TDs. With an upgrade at QB, the Dolphins replaced Ryan Tannehill with Ryan Fitzpatrick, and scheme, Wilson has WR2 potential for absolutely no draft cost. In the 14th Round, I am taking him in every draft.
Honorable Mentions
Dede Westbrook – Dede just misses my ADP criteria of 10th Round or later but he is going to be a monster this year in Jacksonville. Their new OC John DeFilippo (whose name I have never spelled correctly the first time) was fired from Minnesota for throwing the ball too much. I don’t think volume will be an issue. Camp reports have been well in Westbrook’s favor and he had a solid 2018 with Blake Bortles. Nick Foles should elevate his game into the top 30 quite easily.
Donte Moncrief – I’m not going to say much about Moncrief because two of my favorite people did all the work already. Back in May, Kyle Borgognoni (whose name I did spell correctly the 1st time) wrote an article that highlighted target share by offensive role. What jumped off the paper to me was the production of Pittsburgh’s WR2. Then last month, Lauren Carpenter highlighted Pittsburgh’s new WR2, Donte Moncrief. He is putting in the work, learning the offense quickly, and Ben Roethlisberger is singing his praises. He is going to have a great season and is available as your WR46.
If you are looking for other late-round picks:
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Tight Ends