With the NFL season finished, we’re turning that sad reality into our way too early look at the 2016 fantasy football draft.
In this edition of looking ahead to 2016, we’re eyeing five wide receivers who finished 21st through 25th in fantasy points in 2015.
21. John Brown, Arizona, 142.50
Hype train: All Aboard
We’re actually surprised Brown was this far down the list for fantasy points among wide receivers.
Arizona’s passing game was one of the best offensive units in the NFL this past season, and we would have thought the team’s second-leading receiver would have been higher up the list.
However, Brown missed two games due to injury and still notched more than 1,000 yards. He was just a little behind in the touchdown category with five scores, but we’re not too worried about that. In time, the touchdowns will come.
Brown improved in his second season and there’s no reason to doubt that improvement will continue next season. With Larry Fitzgerald on the decline, Brown should start seeing more targets, making him a more desirable and consistent weapon on fantasy rosters.
Watch for Brown to take the next step and to be a solid weekly fantasy start in 2016.
22. T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis, 142.40 points
Hype train: Just right
We’re interested to see where Hilton will be rated in the coming season. On one hand, he had a down season that can be greatly attributed to the quarterback uncertainty in Indianapolis.
On the other hand, he was still a dynamic playmaker when quarterback Andrew Luck was in the line up.
There are multiple facets to Hilton. He racked up another 1,000-yard campaign, despite missing Luck for nine games. That’s something fantasy owners can expect in the future — lots of yards.
However, what they can’t expect is touchdowns. Hilton isn’t a red-zone option and he failed once again in 2015 to find the end zone often. He tallied five touchdowns, with four of those happening in two games.
He should be valued as a high-end WR2 next season and we’re buying that value. However, if he’s a WR1, then we’re skipping him and letting some other fantasy owner drown in his inability to tally mega points.
23. James Jones, Green Bay, 141 points
Hype train: Hop off
With Jordy Nelson returning to the lineup, we have to believe Jones will take a step back in 2016. He tallied eight touchdowns for the Packers and led the team in receiving yards with 890.
He is a solid red-zone threat for Aaron Rodgers, but he won’t be near consistent enough on a weekly basis. Even as the number 2 option for the Packers, Jones still only managed more than 100 yards receiving in three of his 14 games.
That’s not a good sign with the best receiver returning next season.
Green Bay will have a better passing offense next season, but Jones won’t see near as many targets next year. He may sneak in a few touchdowns, but can’t be depended on a weekly basis.
Take him as a bench player; not as a starter.
24. Tavon Austin, St. Louis, 140.70 points
Hype train: Hop off
The Rams finally tried to give Austin plenty of looks this past season. That’s a good sign for fantasy owners.
However, he’s still not a main target in the passing game and is still too much of a gimmicky player. He’ll rush for a few yards and catch a few balls, but if he’s not finding the end zone, which he did nine times in 2015, then he’s not worth a draft pick.
We can’t count on Austin being a touchdown machine. He’s not a big-bodied red-zone threat and he depends too much on getting yards after the catch.
From weeks 9 to 17, he tallied double-digits twice. During that same period, he notched less than six points five times.
Austin should be available later in the draft. If you need some more depth, he’s worth an add. However, don’t expect him to be a weekly starter.
25. Amari Cooper, Oakland, 140.70 points
Hype train: All Aboard
Cooper wasn’t the model of consistency, but that’s OK. We knew Oakland would struggle in that category, so we’re giving a free pass to the rookie.
Cooper still went for more than 1,000 yards, despite being awful in the final two weeks with 30 combined yards receiving.
We’re all in on the Raiders offense and Cooper is the main target of Derek Carr. His upside is monstrous, especially if he’s valued as a WR2. He proved in 2015 that he can be a WR2 in only his rookie campaign for a young, inconsistent team.
The Raiders will be one year older and a little wiser next season, putting Cooper in a position to have a breakout season. He can be a solid steal with WR2 value and put up WR1 numbers.
Don’t be shy about drafting Cooper in your 2016 draft.
