Early Fantasy Look: Wide Recievers

A.J. Green, Georgia

The stud from Georgia is being touted as the second best WR prospect to come out since Randy Moss (Calvin Johnson being the only WR rated higher since Moss). It might be possible but I don’t know if he expectations are as high as Larry Fitzgerald’s was when he was drafted.  With that said, he is a legit beast.  6’4” 210 lbs qualifies him with ideal WR measurements.  His 40 yard dash time will be the biggest things scouts look at when the combine comes around (doesn’t make sense since there is never a point in a game when a WR runs 40 yards without looking behind himself or getting bumped by a CB).  If it is sub 4.5 then he will be a top 5 pick.  If it is above 4.5 then he may fall to 6-8.  Sub 4.4 and he might become the #1 overall pick.  Between his route running, knowledge, and hands there is no doubt he will be a dominant WR in the NFL

Seasonal leagues should not be targeting AJ Green any earlier than the 11^th or 12^th round.  Anything before that is a reach.  He is going to be going to a bad team with a bad QB and it will take time about 20 games before he becomes a dominant WR at the NFL level.  Keeper league can afford to draft him a little bit earlier. Maybe the 5^th or 6^th round, as he is a definite keeper after his rookie season.  Rookie only drafts should consider him to be either the first or second pick overall.  If you need WR help, take Green first.  If you are sitting with the #1 overall pick in the rookie draft and need a RB, then Ingram is your guy.

Julio Jones, Alabama

Roll Tide.  It’s a great college greeting/goodbye/compliment/insult to opposing teams and Julio Jones was definition of “Roll Tide”.  He was a leader on and off the field.  Team Captain.  He can block like Hines Ward and get open like Austin Miles.  He suffered in a run first offense this season but some of his catches were simply jaw dropping.  He is easily going to be the 2^nd WR taken in the draft and will go somewhere between the 12^th thru 20^th pick.   He won’t be Larry Fitz or Andre Johnson in terms of production, but he will probably be similar to Jeremy Maclin or Hakeem Nicks.

Seasonal leagues may not want to touch Julio until the 13^th round but keeper leagues can reach in the 6^th round and stash a potential keeper for the future.  Rookie only drafts should consider Julio anywhere from the 3-5 range as he may end up on a legitimately good team with a solid QB situation.  If he ends up in St. Louis where many people predict he will, Sam Bradford will become a very attractive QB option. I’d be shocked if he got past 16 with Jacksonville.

Torrey Smith, Maryland

Crabcakes and football, that’s what Maryland does!!  Smith is NOT your next Heyward-Bey.  He can actually catch passes and does NOT drop them.  He is as close to Jeremy Maclin as it gets.  Quick off the line, great hands, and good route running.  He would have been a bigger name if he would have had a decent QB in college.  He should make a name for himself at the combine.  Average size at 6 foot makes it difficult for him to get into the first round.  He has second round written all over him unless he has a 4.4 time.

Torrey won’t be drafted in any seasonal leagues unless:  a) you have a man crush on him, b) you pick him up as a keeper, or c) you put it on auto draft and rate WR’s as a priority in which case you should be fined $100 for auto-drafting your team. Keeper leagues could draft him with a flier pick in the late rounds.  He will be a little known player to most teams.  Rookie only drafts will be interesting.  I envision him going around the 10-14 area.  He has the ability to be a bye week replacement in 2 years and a legit fantasy starter by his 3^rd season.