NFL Draft Primer: Ranking the Wide Receiver Destinations
With the NFL draft inching closer and closer by the day, the age old debate amongst dynasty owners of what is more important when scouting incoming rookies (a player’s overall talent or his opportunity), will raise its ugly head once again. Personally, I always try to take the situation a player is drafted into out of the equation when I’m on the clock. I’m of the opinion that talent always wins in the end. In time, a supremely talented player that ends up in a less than desirable situation is much more worthy of using a rookie draft pick on than a less-talented player who’s drafted into an ideal situation. With that said, completely ignoring those prime situations, especially at this point in the process, would be irresponsible.
With free agency having run its course for the most part and NFL franchises preparing to add the latest class of rookies to their rosters, now is an ideal time to identify the best (and worst) landing spots for dynasty purposes. If nothing else, it gives us all something to watch for on draft day.
Having already covered the quarterback and running backs position, let’s cover the wide receivers and how all 32 teams rank as far as the potential situation for the incoming rookies. Each of the teams are put into tiers from four stars (great situation) all the way down to one/zero stars (poor.) Look for the my list of tight end landing spots in the coming days to finalize the series.
Four Stars
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are the best possible landing spot for any rookie receiver in my opinion. Not only are they without a legitimate starting flanker on their roster (unless Jerricho Cotchery or Jason Avant count,) but they already have the two most important keys to easing the transition for a rookie receiver, a veteran coaching staff with job security and a franchise quarterback. Most draft pundits expect Carolina to select a wide out in the first two rounds of the draft. Once they do, the Panthers will have their number one wideout and dynasty owners will have a receiver who should have the opportunity to make a big splash as a rookie.
Philadelphia Eagles
Although I’m a big fan of the potential of Jeremy Maclin in Chip Kelly’s offense now that DeSean Jackson has left Philadelphia, Maclin has much to prove – mostly being able to stay healthy. The Eagles have a need for a slot receiver and Riley Cooper is a replaceable talent in my opinion which makes the Eagles an excellent landing spot for a rookie wide out. Nick Foles was incredibly effective and efficient in the Eagles’ offense in 2013. If you believe he can continue to put up similar numbers going forward, there’s no better landing spot than Philadelphia for a rookie pass catcher this off-season.
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San Diego Chargers
The Chargers were a top-five passing offense in 2013, averaging 393 yards per game. Philip Rivers returned to his previous, elite form in no small part due to rookie Keenan Allen. Outside of Allen however, San Diego has a lot of question marks at receiver. Vincent Brown has been a bit of a disappointment over his first two seasons and until recently, Malcom Floyd’s career was in jeopardy due to a neck injury. Although Eddie Royal had a productive season in 2013, he was forced to take a pay cut to stay with the team and could be replaced very easily. If the Chargers make a move for a receiver in the first two days in the draft, it could be a prime landing spot.
Kansas City Chiefs
Andy Reid likes to run a pass heavy offense. As the season progressed in 2013, Reid started to trust quarterback Alex Smith more and more, but the offense was missing the vertical threat it needed to be as productive as it could be. Outside of Dwayne Bowe, who wasn’t the same player last year as he’s been in the past, the Chiefs have little on the perimeter of the offense. If they choose to take a wideout, that player should have the opportunity to contribute very early on.
Three Stars
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the Buccs had a better option at quarterback, they’d most likely be higher on this list. Josh McCown was effective for the Bears in 2013, but the success he had may have had more to do with Marc Trestman than McCown. Nevertheless, the Buccaneers need a threat opposite Vincent Jackson, so Tampa Bay is a top-five landing spot for a rookie wide receiver.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Even if Justin Blackmon is reinstated (which seems unlikely according to Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell), Jacksonville could use help at the position. Like the Buccaneers, a quality quarterback is holding them back from being higher on this list. That could change during the draft, however. Landing a top quarterback prospect to compete with Chad Henne in round one and a receiver in round two (or vise-versa) would be ideal for dynasty owners.
Cleveland Browns
As I said when I ranked the quarterback destinations, I’d like to see Brian Hoyer get a chance in Cleveland. I’m a believer he can be successful. That belief would increase dramatically if they took Sammy Watkins fourth overall in the draft. No matter what happens at the top of round one, the Browns will select a receiver and that player will have a chance early on. Greg Little shouldn’t be hard to unseat as the starter opposite Josh Gordon.
New York Jets
When New York added Eric Decker in free agency, the Jets became a more attractive location for a rookie receiver. Between Geno Smith and Michael Vick, Rex Ryan hopes to have better quarterback play than he did a year ago. He’s also hoping Chris Johnson delivers a better ground game than his offense showcased in 2013. Those are some big hopes. There are definitely worse landing spots for a rookie receiver, but it may take a year or two for any draft pick to contribute for the Jets.
Oakland Raiders
I’m dreading seeing the Raiders on the clock at the top of the first round. Oakland has become such a wasteland for fantasy talent that I really don’t want them to select any of my favorite prospects on Thursday night. That said, with only James Jones, Denarius Moore and Rod Streater as the top three options on the depth chart, there’s a clear path to playing time in Oakland for a rookie receiver.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys love to sling the rock. With Dez Bryant taking double coverage on most passing downs and Tony Romo throwing him the ball, any rookie receiver would be in good shape if he ended up in “Big D.” Terrence Williams is already on the roster, but there’s room for another playmaker in Dallas.
St. Louis Rams
The Rams invested a high draft choice in Tavon Austin a year ago and already have young prospects in Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, Brian Quick and Austin Pettis – none of which have been in the league more than three years. Sam Bradford is an above average quarterback, but needs to stay healthy to help the Rams and their receivers go to the next level.
Detroit Lions
The Lions should try to give Matthew Stafford a legitimate playmaker opposite Calvin Johnson. Golden Tate was a nice signing in free agency, but there’s still room to add another threat at the position and Detroit throws more than any other team in the league.
Two Stars
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have a solid young quarterback in Ryan Tannehill and some talent on the outside with Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline. Their passing game is underrated, so any rookie added to the mix should have the attention of dynasty owners.
New Orleans Saints
Any landing spot that involves the chance to catch passes in The Big Easy from Drew Brees is a good one. Marques Colston is 30 but should still be productive and Kenny Stills is an up-and-comer, but dynasty owners should be excited about the potential of any rookie receiver who lands in New Orleans.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have proven they can provide production for fantasy owners from multiple receivers over the last handful of seasons as long as Aaron Rodgers is in the lineup. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are entrenched as the top two options and Jarrett Boykin should be the third receiver. However. dynasty owners should watch closely if they add another pass catcher in the second or third round.
Baltimore Ravens
Torrey Smith is the top receiver on the depth chart and Steve Smith was a nice addition for the next year or two. It may take some time for a rookie who’s brought in to contribute, but Baltimore certainly isn’t a bad landing spot for a receiver.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have a need for another receiver behind Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson, but Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder won’t give many dynasty owners much confidence. I believe Norv Turner can make any offense tick though so any player Minnesota brings in on that side of the ball will have my attention.
New England Patriots
Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson and Danny Amendola are not the most intimidating threesome of receivers so there’s room for another player to catch passes from Tom Brady. The Patriots don’t have a strong history of drafting talent at wide receiver, but that shouldn’t stop them from trying again this year.
New York Giants
Now that Hakeem Nicks moved on, Rueben Randle will take over in the starting lineup across from Victor Cruz. Jerrel Jernigan was a surprise at the end of last year and will start the season in the slot for Eli Manning, but the Giants will likely add another pass catcher. There are worse places for a rookie wide receiver to end up.
Tennessee Titans
Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter are the future (and the present) at the position in Tennessee. When you combine the youth already on the roster with the lack of consistency from the quarterback position, it’s hard to make Tennessee a prime landing spot.
Cincinnati Bengals
Most likely, Cincinnati will line Marvin Jones up opposite A.J. Green fulltime this season. There’s room for a slot receiver but new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson will feature the running game even more than Jay Gruden did, so the offense might not be able to support another receiver.
Seattle Seahawks
When they lost Golden Tate in free agency, it opened a door for Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse or possibly a rookie draft pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Antonio Brown is a legitimate number one receiver and Markus Wheaton should get his chance this year. The Steelers have Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey as fallback options. They could chose a receiver, but he definitely wouldn’t contribute much as a rookie.
San Francisco 49ers
With Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin as their top two options at receiver and Quinton Patton expected to get his chance in his second season, it could take a couple years for a rookie receiver to get a chance.
Houston Texans
The Texans will likely add their new starting quarterback in the first 35 picks of the draft. Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins will pair up as the starting receivers for at least a couple years. There’s room for another receiver, but it’s not a great situation.
Arizona Cardinals
With Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd locked in as the top two receivers in the desert and Ted Ginn signing with the team to be the slot man, there’s not much room for another contributor here, either – at least not right away.
Washington Redskins
The Redskins have a franchise quarterback in Robert Griffin III, but they’re also pretty set at receiver with Pierre Garcon and the additions of DeSean Jackson and Andre Roberts in free agency.
Buffalo Bills
When Buffalo added Mike Williams earlier this off-season, most figured they wouldn’t address the position again. That may not be the case, but the Bills’ offense doesn’t make a prime landing spot for a pass catcher.
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta will get Julio Jones back from injury and Harry Douglas will return to his role as the third receiver on the team. They have too many other needs to be looking for another receiver.
One Star (or Zero Stars)
Chicago Bears
Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery aren’t going anywhere and Marquess Wilson will get a chance to be the third option.
Denver Broncos
Even with the loss of Eric Decker, the Broncos are still stacked.
Indianapolis Colts
There simply isn’t room for another pass catcher after Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks.
Follow me on Twitter: @dmeylor22
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