Fantasy Football Cafe Forum

Alright, I have done a number of mock drafts and I seem to always be throwing darts in the middle late rounds. Sitting there looking at what seems to be a relative cluster**** of wide receivers. Which of these guys stand out, or which of these guys are you targeting and why? Who are you staying away from?

I always believe that fantasy leagues are won and lost in these middle rounds....

7.01 Lance Moore
7.05 Hines Ward
7.05 Donnie Avery
7.12 Laveranues Coles
8.01 Michael Crabtree
8.02 Kevin Walter
8.03 Torry Holt
8.04 Devin Hester
8.07 Jerricho Cotchery
8.1 Donald Driver
9.04 Derrick Mason
9.04 Steve Breaston
9.08 Ted Ginn Jr.
9.08 Percy Harvin
9.11 Chris Chambers
10.01 Domenik Hixon
10.08 Chris Henry
10.1 Kevin Curtis
11.06 Justin Gage
11.08 Jeremy Maclin
11.09 Hakeem Nicks
12.02 Nate Burleson
12.03 Deion Branch
12.04 Patrick Crayton
12.05 Josh Morgan
12.06 Mark Clayton
12.07 Steve Smith
12.09 Miles Austin
12.09 Darrius Heyward-Bey
12.1 Joey Galloway

7.05 Donnie Avery
only guy on the team really, could get lots of garbage yards much like Calvin Johnson did last year.

8.01 Michael Crabtree
hold out coming off an injury, rookie WR's have a large learning curve as it is. Hold out makes me nervous and it doesn't sound like its going to end anytime soon.

8.04 Devin Hester
You can't tell me that adding Cutler hurts Hester. may not be much, but the upside here has to be high.

10.01 Domenik Hixon
11.09 Hakeem Nicks
Someone in NYG is going to have a good fantasy season, just no idea who it is.

7.01 Lance Moore: I like, ton of potential in a high powered offense, people claim his numbers came mostly due to injuries so they are wary, but I think he is legit.
7.05 Hines Ward: Safe bet, if I've been risky I might take him but chances are he won't be on my roster.
7.05 Donnie Avery: tons of upside, I grab him above all these guys right before Moore.

7.12 Laveranues Coles: Avoid, if people are worried about Ocho and Palmer than why would you take Coles less than 3 rounds after Chad? Henry is a better value than Coles.

8.01 Michael Crabtree: upside, but once a rookie starts missing training camp they are scratched from my redraft board

8.02 Kevin Walter: overvalued, he doesn't have the potential to win your season, and thats what I look for in middle rounds, guys who have potential to win you games. Like you see from guys every season.

8.03 Torry Holt: Not sure, seems like a safer bet but there is a lot of rif raf floating around in Jax's WR corps so who knows what goes on there, an they aren't exactly pass happy, hopefully this year.

8.04 Devin Hester: Guy with tons of upside, New QB and tremendously skilled at some things, thats enough potential for me to buy.

8.07 Jerricho Cotchery: He is a #1 and very talented. I like him alot.

8.1 Donald Driver: Packers should pass less this season, and Drivers getting old, a guy with not enough potential for me.

9.04 Derrick Mason: Nice value again if you have drafted risky. But chances are he doesn't end up on my roster because of low ceiling.

9.04 Steve Breaston: Gold mine if Cardinals Offense stays like last year and if Bolden or Fitz injury, too many ifs for me but could be worth it to the owner who buys. Decent option other than that as well.

9.08 Ted Ginn Jr.: Big fan here, tons of talent, #1, Miami isn't NYJ, BAL, or Tennessee by any means either.

9.08 Percy Harvin: No comment

9.11 Chris Chambers: San Diego will pass less, he is getting catches behind LT, Gates, and probably Vincent Jackson...

10.01 Domenik Hixon: Like him if he ends up NYG #1, but who knows?

10.08 Chris Henry: Love his value, could put up huge stats if he can help fill Hous's void that was left behind.

10.1 Kevin Curtis: So many options in Philly pass game I don't trust him to stay near the top of the depth chart

11.06 Justin Gage: I'd rather take a later Tennesse WR.

11.08 Jeremy Maclin: again so many options I don't want to bank on him, but he has nice potential so I don't rule him out.

11.09 Hakeem Nicks: Again NYG WR, tons of value if he land the #1 gig.
12.02 Nate Burleson: I'm not sold on Branch being healthy, great value to complement Hous IMO.

12.03 Deion Branch: see above. stay away.

12.04 Patrick Crayton: no comment

12.05 Josh Morgan: I like the value, Crabtree wont be in camp for awhile.

12.06 Mark Clayton: ice upside for where you can get him if you haven't filled your WR need yet..

12.07 Steve Smith: at this point i just am scared of NYG WRs.

12.09 Miles Austin: Nice upside

12.09 Darrius Heyward-Bey: rookie scare me. But upside if you like him.

12.1 Joey Galloway: too old for me, but in Patriots offense could be a nice fit, defintly worth a look if you have an instable WR situation.

7.05 Hines Ward
8.02 Kevin Walter
8.1 Donald Driver
9.04 Derrick Mason
12.02 Nate Burleson
12.05 Josh Morgan
12.07 Steve Smith
12.1 Joey Galloway


8.03 Torry Holt
8.04 Devin Hester
12.04 Patrick Crayton


the rest i'm

7.01 Lance Moore - I like as a WR3/WR4. Will definitely produce, but Brees spreads the ball well.
7.05 Hines Ward - I'm iffy on him. I'm really high on Holmes and think that Holmes will outproduce Ward, but couldn't go wrong with either.
7.05 Donnie Avery - The ball is going to Steven Jackson if they want to win, so I'm staying away.
7.12 Laveranues Coles - I'll pass any day of the week. Rather have Henry 3 or 4 rounds later with much more upside
8.01 Michael Crabtree - Hill or Smith. I don't like it.
8.02 Kevin Walter - He's on my radar. Shaub is going to have a monster year this year, but Walter's third or fourth on the list to get the ball after AJ, Slaton and Daniels.
8.03 Torry Holt - Jacksonville finally has a WR, hopefully Garrard can use it. I'm iffy on him though.
8.04 Devin Hester - I like him a lot, especially now because Cutler is throwing him the ball. What's the record for 50+ yard receptions receptions in a season? Whatever it is, I wouldn't be surprised if Hester broke it.
8.07 Jerricho Cotchery - Not a fan. The Jets are going to be a run first team with Rex Ryan now.
8.1 Donald Driver - He's the option after Grant and Jennings. Rodgers will get him the ball.
9.04 Derrick Mason - Not on my radar.
9.04 Steve Breaston - Not on my radar. Behind Fitz and Boldin and his production relies on Warner who is 38.
9.08 Ted Ginn Jr. - Nope.
9.08 Percy Harvin - Sage or Tavaris? I'll pass.
9.11 Chris Chambers - Has the chance to be very productive, but not enough balls to go around in San Diego with LT, Sproles, Gates, Jackson and Chambers.
10.01 Domenik Hixon - Eli needs a true #1 WR and I don't see why Hixon can't be it. I like him a lot in the later rounds.
10.08 Chris Henry - If he keeps his head on straight, the sky is the limit for Henry. He will 100% beat out Coles for the WR2 spot during the season.
10.1 Kevin Curtis - To many options in Philly.
11.06 Justin Gage - Collins? No thanks.
11.08 Jeremy Maclin - Same as Curtis.
11.09 Hakeem Nicks - Maybe he'll be the number one, but I like Hixon over him.
12.02 Nate Burleson - Iffy.
12.03 Deion Branch - I'll pass. Read an article saying how he can't cut or he lost his mobility because of his knee. No thanks.

Rest of these guys. I'll pass up on all of them.
12.04 Patrick Crayton -
12.05 Josh Morgan
12.06 Mark Clayton
12.07 Steve Smith
12.09 Miles Austin
12.09 Darrius Heyward-Bey
12.1 Joey Galloway

7.01 Lance Moore: Big fan, high potential in one of the top 2 passing offenses in football. Should be a solid WR3 if everyone stays healthy; if Bush, Colston, etc. get hurt he could easily be top 20, if not top 15 or top 10.

7.05 Hines Ward: Not really a fan. We know he has limited upside, and he has some risk (injury due to physical style, Santonio/Heath Miller could steal touches, there aren't that many yards to go around in Pitt anyways...., I'll take him in the 8th, but not the 7th....)

7.05 Donnie Avery: Big fan. Only WR threat in St. Louis, high upside if Bulger can stay on his feet, etc. Him and Morre are my biggest "early targets" on this list.

7.12 Laveraneus Coles: No thanks. He's at best 2nd fiddle in the Cincinattin offense. The only positive to say here is that maybe Cincinatti's running game will be so bad that there will be enough to go around for Laveranues and Chad Johnson, and maybe Chris Henry will continue to be a fool off-the-field. Will probably have a year that makes him worth about a 7th rounder, but he's too much of a high-risk low-reward if you ask me.

8.01 Michael Crabtree: Dynasty yes, redraft no. Dude's yet to show at camp, and he played in a very simple offense at TT. IN addition, Singletary will probably want to run the ball and the QB situation is still uncertain.... Talented kid though

8.02 Kevin Walter: a nice WR3 pick this year. The Houston passing game ought to be big, and he's got AJ on one side to draw double-coverage. He also has to deal with Slaton (small and could easily get hurt) and Daniels (TE; he'll steal some but he won't take the whole pie). I think Walter's floor is probably as a #4, but he's got a ceiling as a solid #3. I think early 8th round is appropriate value.

8.03 Torry Holt: Really tough guy to call, in part because we don't know his physical health really. I'd be a big fan if he wasn't on the Jags, but I'm thinking he's probably a little overvalued here.

8.04 Devin Hester: Not a fan. He has high upside, but he's so raw as a WR, you are almost drafting a rookie here (he didn't even play WR in college, so one would think it would take him awhile to become polished). He's fast, but I think defenses will learn how to defend that and DB will be told to take a holding penalty if they get beat deep. Also, the only way this guy is getting a TD for you is if it's 50+ yards. He's a great pick here if your league counts KR TD or TD of 40+ yards for bonus points. But if not, I'm not liking him here.

8.07 Jericho Cotchery: I really like this guy here. I don't think he's that good of a WR, but have you seen the Jets' receiving corps? For the first time in his career he's the only guy there; I don't see how this can hurt his numbers, even if the QB sucks. And even if the QB isn't very good, I don't think the Jets will be very good this year so they'll have to throw a lot. I think he could easily put up a 1000-yard season. A great pick in the middle of the 8th round.

8.11 Donald Driver: I think this guy is appropriately valued. 5 straight years of 1000 yards receiving is impressive, but he's old and therefore risky. I could take him if I'm picking in this spot depending on the rest of the draft.

9.04 Derrick Mason: No thanks. First, the Ravens are suited to a power-running game combined with deep play-action passes to take advantage of Flacco's arm. A short possesion-based offense would favor Mason, but it goes against what the rest of the team has. Also, Demetrius Williams and Mark Bradley have looked good in camp. Finally, I have to wonder why he retired during the summer, and I'm nervous that he can't make it through a whole year....

9.04 Steve Breaston: No thanks. Has upside, and could end up being worth the pick, but he needs Boldin or Fitz to get hurt, while Warner stays healthy. And he needs the Cards to continue chucking the ball around the field this year. I could also see the Cardinals trying to run the ball a bit more this year to keep Warner from getting killed, and because i think they saw during the playoffs that they can run the ball and win.

9.08 Ted Ginn Jr.: I see why people like him; he has upside. But Miami will continue to be a run-first team this year. Also, Ginn's best skill is making deep catches, which is precisely what Pennington sucks at throwing. Also, I really like Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess. No thanks.

9.08 Percy Harvin: I like the football player Percy Harvin. But I only like the Vikes' passing game if Rosenfels wins the QB job, and I don't like rookie WR, especially those coming out of spread offenses where they weren't used as traditional WR. So overall, no thanks.

9.11 Chris Chambers: Here's a guy I like, due to the high TD upside because of his height. Goal-line touches will be hotly contested in SD though between V-Jax, Gates, LT, and Chambers though, so I think he's probably properly valued here.

10.01 Domenik Hixon: I'm going to say the same thing about all of the Giants WR here, but one of them will probably be pretty good. The problem is figuring out which one. I think Nicks is the best of the bunch, so I'm going to like him and not be such a fan of Hixon and Smith. Also, I think it's quite possible that he Nicks and Steve Smith end up splitting a lot of the avaliable touches.

10.08 Chris Henry: Here's a guy I LOVE. An absolute steal. He's super-talented, high upside, and I'm willing to believe this guy has his head on straight after realizing that this is absolutely his last shot to make it in the NFL. A definite target. My favorite late-round WR this year.

10.10 Kevin Curtis: Another guy I like. He's the possesion WR; either Maclin or Jackson will be overshadowed this year, not Curtis. He's still going to get his looks. This guy's properly valued if Westbrook plays the entire year, but if someone gets hurt then Curtis becomes a steal.

11.06 Justin Gage: Too many WR in Tennessee that could steal touches. And it's not like there'll be much to go around there anyways.

11.08 Jeremy Maclin: He's the same style as DeSean, and he's a WR coming in as a rookie from a spread offense. No thanks.

11.09 Hakeem Nicks: I love this guy as a dynasty pick. I like this guy here and I think he'll end up the #1 in NY. He's a big kid with great hands who played on a mediocre UNC team.

12.02 Nate Burleson: Branch isn't healthy, Carlson's a good TE but not great yet, Housh is a solid possesion WR, Hasslebeck's a good QB, and the RB there don't catch passes (Julius is a medicore pass-catcher, TJ Duckett is a run-between-the-tackles guy only).

12.03 Deion Branch: Nope. Not convinced he's healthy. And even if he is, he's the 3rd best option at best for the Seahawks

12.04 Patrick Crayton: Nope. Every year he's the sleeper number 2 wideout for the Cowboys. But to be fair, he's probably appropriately valued here, I'd just rather have a guy with more upside and less risk (Miles Austin).

12.05 Josh Morgan: I'm liking him more and more the longer Crabtree sits on his butt at home.

12.06 Mark Clayton: Hmm. I like this guy, but it's going to be a fight between him and Demetrius Williams. I'll take Demetrius, as you can get him a round or 2 later... I won't end up with him, as there are quite a few guys on this list I like, but he's not the worst option on this list either.

12.07 Steve Smith: No thanks. He's not physically skilled enough to be a #1 WR. He could be an OK #2 on an NFL team, but I don't think that ends up being a WR you'd want to have in your lineup in a 10 or 12-team league. Therefore, I'd rather not choose him.

12.09 Miles Austin: Nice upside pick here, but he's probably appropriately valued right here. I guess the nice thing would be that you'd know after a couple weeks whether or not he'd be worth keeping, based on his touches in the first few games....

12.09 Darius Heyward-Bey: Too much risk here and not enough upside. He won't be too good unless JaMarucs Ruseell starts and plays well at QB. The chances of that happening in my mind aren't very good. Though there's a small small chance he could turn into a playable WR #3, I'm thinking those chances are about 5% or so though, so no thanks.

12.11 Joey Galloway: I don't know what to say about him. I think he's a very good round 12 pick; the only problem is he's a matchups player only unless Welker or Moss get hurt. But if that were to happen, you'd really hit the jackpot. I like him in this spot.

Man what is everyone writing a novelette for?

The WR you're looking for are as follows...

7.1 Lance Moore: Of course you want to target him. Colston gets hurt every season and Brees throws 4000+ yds every year. Someone has to be catching those balls.

7.5 H. Ward: Unless PITs running game implodes save yourself the trouble of drafting PIT WRs.

11.8 J. Macklin: Could be a big factor in PHI this year(and might not be) keep an eye on him. Whoever is going to be McNabb's #1 WR is always worth a late-middle pick.

CIN, Chris Henry: I don't know if you have him rated higher but you should definitely take him in the late-middle rounds if he's available.

FearTheTurtle wrote:Man what is everyone writing a novelette for?

Don't hate on good posts....I love it!

Guys I like from that list:

7.01 Lance Moore
7.05 Hines Ward
8.02 Kevin Walter
8.07 Jerricho Cotchery
8.10 Donald Driver
9.11 Chris Chambers
10.01 Domenik Hixon
12.02 Nate Burleson

Most of these guys are pretty solid bets in my mind to make an impact this year fantasy wise in some way or another. I think Cotchery is far too low in going in the 8th round for the #1 WR who is a solid possession wideout who will be working with a young QB (possession WRs make for nice security blankets). Even with the Jets move to a more run based approach, they have to throw to someone. I also like the upside of Hixon with the Giants, he's probably got one of the highest potentials of people on this list to far outperform his draft position in the 10th round. Burleson is reportedly looking very good and with a legitimate target opposite him now in Housh, he'll see a lot of single coverage and could be in for a good year.

The others are really just solid guys...they probably won't win you many games outright but you can plug them in for a bye week replacement or injury replacement and they won't kill you. Chambers does have the potential to be the top WR production wise for the Chargers...I don't see much separating him and Jackson to be honest and you can get him a lot cheaper than you can Jackson.

Guys I don't like from that list:

7.05 Donnie Avery
7.12 Laveranues Coles
8.01 Michael Crabtree
8.04 Devin Hester
9.08 Ted Ginn Jr.
10.10 Kevin Curtis
11.06 Justin Gage
11.08 Jeremy Maclin
11.09 Hakeem Nicks
12.03 Deion Branch
12.05 Josh Morgan
12.06 Mark Clayton
12.09 Darrius Heyward-Bey
12.10 Joey Galloway

I know most people like Avery this year and he's a popular sleeper WR pick. I'm just not buying it personally. The Rams are moving to the west coast offense this year which is a major change from what they have been in the past...the problem is that for a speedy WR like Avery, it doesn't necessarily really accent his strengths all that much and so he may not really be the big play threat that he was last season. Take that away from him and he's no longer looking like such a great value in the 7th-8th rounds.

Nearly all the rookie WRs are on this list...I just don't trust them. Even the ones I think can be solid receivers in this league like Crabtree and Maclin, I wouldn't touch them this season...I just don't see the point. Crabtree is on one of the most non-friendly teams to WRs in the NFL this season and Maclin going to be lost among Jackson and Curtis in Philly especially since we know that Westbrook and Celek will see their fair share of passes as well.

Guys I wouldn't mind having for depth but won't be targeting:

8.03 Torry Holt
9.04 Derrick Mason
9.04 Steve Breaston
9.08 Percy Harvin
10.08 Chris Henry
12.04 Patrick Crayton
12.07 Steve Smith
12.09 Miles Austin

These are mainly the guys that I'll take for depth when they fall into my lap. Holt has some left in the tank I think but the 8th is probably too early for him...same with Mason. Breaston will likely be a boom or bust candidate from game to game and largely depends on Warner staying healthy all year. Harvin is the only rookie WR I would consider this season...the reason being is that you know he'll have the ball in his hands a good deal this year whether he's running with it, catching short passes, playing the wildcat QB, etc. That alone gives him value, just not as a starter or a primary backup.

I think that some of the guys who could put up solid numbers this year are guys like Henry in Cincy, Crayton and Austin in Dallas, and Smith in NY. Henry has enormous potential but I'm not huge on Palmer and we'll see how things go as he tries to step into Housh's shoes this season. I don't like Roy Williams but he'll draw more attention than either of Crayton or Austin will which gives them a nice boost in value since they'll be in single coverage a lot and could be big beneficiaries some games. Smith is a nice possession style receiver and will likely be worth more in PPR leagues.

One guy absent from this list is Earl Bennett...no reason he should be going after Devin Hester in my mind at this point.

Would possibly draft:

7.05 Donnie Avery (pretty high on him, he's the man. big play ability, boom or bust, worth the gamble to me)
7.05 Hines Ward (good possession, which tallies up)
8.03 Torry Holt (he could do well, he should do well imo)
8.07 Jerricho Cotchery (like his chances to do well)
8.1 Donald Driver (always pretty productive, good qb who throws enough tds to go around)
9.04 Steve Breaston (high octane offense, gotta love it)
9.08 Ted Ginn Jr. (i think he can turn it up a little, gamble)
10.01 Domenik Hixon (eli's gotta throw it to somebody, don't trust wr rookies)
12.04 Patrick Crayton (maybe, note below)
12.09 Miles Austin (maybe, will watch preseason to get a idea if it's him or crayton)

Wouldn't draft him with your pick:

7.01 Lance Moore (cant trust em, i'm sorry)
7.12 Laveranues Coles (never was a fan)
8.01 Michael Crabtree (big baby imo)
8.02 Kevin Walter (on the fence)
8.04 Devin Hester (he's a punt returner)
9.04 Derrick Mason (never was a fan)
9.08 Percy Harvin (don't trust our qb situation)
9.11 Chris Chambers (not enough to go around, jackson is better imo)
10.08 Chris Henry (he's bound to fcuk up)
10.1 Kevin Curtis (i would consider it but he didnt light it up last year, i think it's jackson time)
11.06 Justin Gage (yucky mc yuck)
11.08 Jeremy Maclin (my rookie phobia)
11.09 Hakeem Nicks (above)
12.02 Nate Burleson (lol, ur kidding right?)
12.03 Deion Branch (he sucks)
12.05 Josh Morgan (not amounted to anything)
12.06 Mark Clayton (above kinda)
12.07 Steve Smith (better than nicks but i like hixon)
12.09 Darrius Heyward-Bey (a bey bey)
12.1 Joey Galloway (read on his twitter he farts dust)