The Old Ram
When I look at the landscape of the NFL right now, I see it on the cusp of a rather major change. The days of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are coming to a close. The years where you could automatically pencil in the likes of the Patriots, Steelers, and Ravens into the playoffs might also be approaching the end. That means there is going to be lots of room for some teams and players to step up
One of the popular picks to be a new, high powered offense is the St. Louis Rams. This will be Jeff Fisher’s second year with the team and the first time in Sam Bradford’s career where he has the same offensive game plan two years in a row. They also spent two picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft on receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey. When you add in the expensive addition of high upside tight end Jared Cook, it becomes clear Fisher is very serious about remaking the offense and surrounding Bradford with the weapons that he needs to make the next big step.
Often lost in all of this talk is that the Rams leading receiver from last season is back. Entering his second year, it is really strange to think of Chris Givens as the “old guy” on the roster, but he is the only potential starter who has caught more than 30 catches from Bradford. In addition to being the most experienced, I also think he just might be the best receiver on the roster. Blasphemy some might say, but let’s take a look at some of the data to back this up.
If you go back to look at Givens’ combine you might be impressed:
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 198 pounds
40 yard: 4.41 seconds
Bench: 19 reps
Vertical: 33.5”
Broad Jump: 118”
3 cone: 6.97 seconds
Shuttle: 4.23 seconds
For comparison’s sake, he is only 0.07 seconds off of Austin, (one of the most explosive players in the 2013 NFL Draft), but he is nearly 25 pounds bigger. The rest of his measurables are top notch as well. Another way to look at it is Givens has elite speed with the strength and size to beat NFL defenders both at the line and deep as he goes after the ball.
What might be even better is that Givens isn’t just an elite deep threat. If you need some hard game evidence of that, go ahead and look back at the Rams week 11 game last season against San Francisco. As a result of injuries to other receivers, Givens was asked to be the possession receiver during that game. How did he do? He responded by bringing in a total of 11 catches during the game, leading the Rams to victory over the eventual NFC Champions. Givens has the ability to work all of the receiver positions from taking the top off defenses to being a possession receiver and even working out of the slot. He worked hard this off-season to further refine his game and make him more of a complete receiver.
He’s a great bargain at the current price tag as well. Looking at the current ADP almost makes me cry a little bit. Givens, who is only 23 years old, is currently being drafted as a low end WR4 or high end WR5 in the 11th round of dynasty startups. That is way, way too low for someone of his talent and opportunity. Just for reference, that is several rounds after the aging talents of Reggie Wayne, Miles Austin and Steve Smith. Unless you’re going to be selling out for the championship this year, I prefer Givens to any of those three due to his age and the fact he may only get better. He is going right around the same level as other “prospects” like Denarius Moore, Golden Tate and Emmanuel Sanders. The problem with this is Givens has more talent, more production, a better opportunity and fewer questions than any of them.
What about his production? Last season Givens produced a stat line of 42 receptions, 698 yards and three touchdowns. While that is respectable for a rookie, it isn’t enough to get him into fantasy lineups. There are a few things to keep in mind about this. He appeared in only 13 games due to his rookie status. Expanding his rookie stats over 16 games would give you 52 receptions for 860 yards and four scores – that would put him right on part with fellow 2012 rookie Justin Blackmon as a low end WR3 last season without even counting Givens’ work in the return game. In other words, Givens was a low end WR3 as a rookie.
He and his quarterback have worked hard and improved this off-season and they will continue to develop together and get more chemistry. The Rams seem poised to take the next step and be a pass heavy offense this year and for years to come. When you put it all together, you’re talking about someone who should be a very solid WR3 this season, if not a low end WR2 who you can get for the price of a WR5. Track down the Givens owner in your league and see what you can work out. He is one of the true up and comers in this league and is vastly underrated right now.
- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round Three - April 28, 2021
- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round Two - April 26, 2021
- Final 2021 Pre-Draft Rookie Mock: Round One - April 25, 2021
