Summer Sleeper: Carolina Panthers
With less than a month before all training camps open around the NFL, we’re continuing our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL. You can find all of the Summer Sleeper articles here.
These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.
We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” which include such such dynasty mainstay names as Toby Gerhart, Christine Michael or Cordarrelle Patterson. You’re all too good for that.
While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.
Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!
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Jerricho Cotchery, WR CAR
Still reading? OK, good. I thought I might lose you there for a second, what with naming Cotchery as a Summer Sleeper and all.
Never one to buy the lead, let me give you a quick three point argument for my reasoning:
- Cotchery has only two fewer 200 point fantasy seasons (two) than every other Panthers’ skill player combined (four).
- Somebody has to catch passes in Carolina this year, so why not Cotchery?
- He is (almost) free. Free is good.
Based on the strength of my argument thus far, I’m sure you are already primed to go out and add Cotchery in all of your leagues. While I’d like to encourage you to do so, you had best read the rest of my tome so you can try and explain to your fellow owners what the heck you were thinking (trust me, they will ask).
Up until a couple weeks ago, I was one of those guys who hadn’t given Cotchery any thought whatsoever. I may even have scoffed at any notion of owning him a time or two. Then, as I was sitting in bed looking at depth charts on my phone (I lead a very exciting life), I realized he is basically a favorite to lead the Panthers in targets. I’d think 100 or more may not be a lock, but it is a pretty dang good bet. And as any Andy Dalton owner can attest, volume matters.
Last year, 44 receivers topped 90 targets (I lowered the bar a bit for the sake of the discussion). Of those 44, 40 averaged more than 10 PPR PPG. 30 put up more than 12 PPG, including marquee talents such as Harry Douglas and Brian Hartline. I fully understand 10 PPG isn’t all that impressive. That said, only 64 skill position players topped that mark last year, making those who do at least an acceptable flex play in most 12-team leagues.
What reason do we have to expect Cotchery can achieve decent numbers even with a high volume of opportunity? It has been a few years, but our subject has topped 70 receptions three different times. If you are a fan of six points, you’ll be mildly enthused to hear Cotchery has scored at least five touchdowns in three seasons. From a straight fantasy perspective, he has posted two seasons of more than 200 points and five over 160.
There are caveats on most of these numbers, as Cotchery’s prime ended after his 164 point 2009 season. In the NFL, that is multiple lifetimes ago (2009 was the year Chris Johnson became CJ2k). But a funny thing happened on the way to the old folk’s home, as our resurgent subject managed a totally unexpected ten touchdowns for the Steelers in 2013. Even more impressive, he managed to hold off hot-shot rookie Markus Wheaton and score nearly as many points as Emmanuel Sanders on 36 fewer targets.
Look, none of this is earth shattering, just as Cotchery isn’t likely to win you a league single handedly. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a great value, though.
Did somebody say value? (I am the master of the segue.) As I astutely pointed out above, Cotchery is basically free. As in, he isn’t being drafted, isn’t heavily owned and for the most part isn’t being considered by even attentive owners. If you take a look at our mock draft data for June, his ADP is nonexistent. A quick gander on My Fantasy League shows his ownership percentage hovers around 50%. You likely could have him for a future fourth round pick or less. Maybe his owner likes gum? Offer him a piece. He may ship you Cotchery in return.
The way I generally prefer to construct the end of my bench allows room for at least one or two players like Cotchery. Having a reliable player you can plug in on bye weeks or to cover for an injury is invaluable. They also allow you to trade from sexier depth elsewhere to improve a starting position. The flexibility a 10 PPG player can give you has enormous value that is not to be overlooked. Every season a couple of players step into that role, often for that year only. This year, Jericho Cotchery is one of those players. So while I’m not going to sit here and tell you he is primed for a top-20 season. I do have every expectation he will finish as a WR4 with weekly WR2 upside mixed in. What you get beyond 2014 is anybody’s guess, but considering Cotchery’s cost/upside ratio for this season, why not?
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- How to Win Without Watching Football - July 22, 2021
- 2018 Summer Sleeper: Chicago Bears - July 9, 2018
- NFL Draft Aftermath: Winners and Losers from the AFC North - June 18, 2018
