While runners remain the kings of the fantasy football landscape, open receivers can offer more price in the middle and end of the round. While offenses in the NFL remain increasingly pass-oriented, it’s not uncommon for second- and third-tier receivers to take the coveted 1,000-yard bar.
In 2019, 25 receivers reached 1,000 yards.
That organization included Chris Godwin, who made a big statistical leap, from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He managed 1,333 yards receiving a year after searching 842. This increase in production has made Godwin one of the most productive escape players in fantasy and a valuable variety that has delivered many fantasy championships.
Which player can follow in Godwin’s footsteps as the winner of the Escape League? That’s what we’re going to see here.
None of the players on that list have reached the 1,000-yard mark in 2019. However, due to points such as role, casting and scheme, everyone has the ability to end up on the 20 most sensitive receivers or even the 10 most sensitive Fantasy receivers of this moment. Array season
Pittsburgh Steelers open receiver Diontae Johnson had a strong rookie crusade despite betting on the disappointing tandem of Devlin Hodges and Mason Rudolph quarterbacks. Toledo has made the impression in all 16 games, with 12 starts, and caught 59 passes for 680 yards and five touchdowns.
With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger about to return to the starting line-up, Johnson’s production could skyrocket in his season.
Roethlisberger missed 14 games in 2019 due to an elbow injury that required surgery, and with him, the Steelers finished 31 en route. However, Roethlisberger appears to be at least close to his pre-injury form.
“I’d say he’s back, that’s for sure,” said the closed end Vance McDonald, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
With Roethlisberger at the center, Pittsburgh’s pass offense is expected to thrive (thrown for 5,129 yards two seasons ago) and Johnson may be one of the biggest beneficiaries. With an average shooting position (ADP) of 111, it has a sleeping potential.
Another 2019 rookie who had an inaugural campaign, Darius Slayton of the New York Giants, is about to become the number one catcher in 2020.
Slayton played 14 games for the Giants last season and put in 48 passes for 740 yards and eight touchdowns. He has developed tangible chemistry with fellow rookie Daniel Jones and realizes that it will be one of his favorite targets for the foreseeable future.
As Jones grows as a communicator, so will Slayton’s numbers. With a new offense under the direction of new coordinator Jason Garrett, the duo are expected to take a positive step in 2020.
“I think we have a chance to be an explosive attack, an effective attack,” Slayton said, via Dan Salomone on the team’s official website. “I’m looking for the game ahead of me this year.”
With an ADP of 108, fantasy managers can still buy little at Slayton.
Lack of consistency was the biggest challenge for Chicago Bears open receiver Anthony Miller in 2019. Although he had a quality production for a few weeks, he also had six games with less than 10 yards at reception.
However, the 2018 second-round pick, however, seemed to perceive it towards the end of 2019, accumulating 431 yards in five games before disappearing in week 16 and suffering a shoulder injury in the final.
“I think kindness took over Anthony at one point in the season,” said catcher coach Mike Furrey, according to Larry Mayer of the team’s official website. “Then all of a sudden, there’s a four- or five-game streak where he’s got a hundred yards here in front of Detroit and a hundred yards in Green Bay.”
If Miller can take advantage of last year’s end-of-season increase, he sees an increase in use: he played only 64.5% of the 2019 offensive shots, according to Football Outsiders.
The departure of his compatriot Taylor Gabriel can help strengthen Miller’s role. But more importantly, you’ll want a better quarterback game. Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles are vying for the spot, and the winner hopes to return to the form he had in 2018.
Miller has lately had an average position in the draft of 151.
Health will be a turning point for Houston Texans open receiver Will Fuller V this season. While the former Notre Dame star has been a deep and productive risk on the field, it has also missed 22 games in its 4 seasons.
Physically, however, Fuller set out to face the 2020 season.
“It’s here and it’s in a wonderful way,” said head coach Bill O’Brien, through ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “It looks good. He trains and works hard.”
Last year, Fuller hit 49 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns. Prorata during a full season of 16 games, 71 receptions and 975 yards, and that with star catcher DeAndre Hopkins as the centerpiece of the air offensive. Now that Hopkins is with the Arizona Cardinals, Fuller has a chance to take on that role.
The Texans added receivers Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb the off-season, but Fuller has the maximum chemistry set with quarterback Deshaun Watson. If there is a genuine selection target on this offensive, it may be Fuller.
With an ADP of 96, Fuller has deep sleep, but it can still be a bargain.
Mecole Hardman, one of the players of the Kansas City Chiefs, is a slightly flourishing player in fantasy last season. He caught landing passes in six games, but also had eight games with one or no reception. Hardman will have to find some consistency to be an escaper at his time of year.
Getting a more vital role in the offense may be the key to finding that consistency. Hardman played only 45.2% of the offensive shots last season, according to Football Outsiders, however, as he continues to grow as a catcher, he sees a more important role in the offense.
Chiefs might also be interested in giving Hardman that most important role. His compatriot Sammy Watkins may be nearing the end of his kansas City stay (he agreed to a one-year restructured contract this low season) and the Chiefs may simply be their most productive long-term option over Tyreek Hill.
Hill, along the way, had only 593 yards as a rookie before accumulating 1,183 yards in his season. Hardman may only see one jump, and with an ADP of only 128, it can be a fantastic addition at the end of the round.
The Green Bay Packers did not have a trusted number 2 receiver opposed to Davante Adams for much of 2019. However, undrafted loose agent Allen Lazard made a strong offer for the role at the end of the season. Although he did not get his first catch before Week 6, Lazard finished the moment between Packers catchers with 477 yards at reception.
Lazard is expected to have the internal track for No. 2 as 2020 approaches, especially with off-season side addition Devin Funchess, who has selected to retire from the season. However, Lazard takes this for granted.
“Just hunting through my career in this NFL and everything, that’s when I was able to make my biggest progress, when I leaned opposite the wall and didn’t know where my position was or if I was going to get a job.” Lazard said, according to Wes Hodklewicz on the team’s official website. “So I just need to keep the same mindset, the same mentality.”
With a leadership role in the offense, Lazard has a 1,000-yard perspective. He has one of the most talented quarterbacks in the game for Aaron Rodgers, and is likely to see a lot of one-on-one politics with Adams in charge of defensive attention.
With an ADP of 190, Lazard is one of the goals of deep sleep in fantasy.
It didn’t take long for open receiver DK Metcalf to make a difference for the Seattle Seahawks last season. The rookie hit four passes for 89 yards in his first NFL game and put his first landing pass in a return win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.
Metcalf finished his rookie season with 58 receptions for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. As 2020 approaches, it seems it may be Russell Wilson’s main target.
“Wilson at Metcalf specifically trusted individual situations, and over and over, Metcalf is losing the ball even when the policy is good,” John Boyle wrote of the Seahawks’ official website.
With an ADP of 45, Metcalf receives a lot of love and will be a popular early goal on draft day.
Miami Dolphins open receiver Preston Williams could have gained 1,000 yards as a rookie if he had only stayed healthy. He has 32 receptions and 428 yards in 8 games and has one of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s favorite targets. His 4 consistent receptions provided the right PPR price for coaches who dared to start early.
Unfortunately, Williams only made the impression in all 8 games before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear. The good news is that Williams is now healthy and educated with the team, the Dolphins take a cautious technique when he returns.
“We have a plan for him, and that will come with a few days when he’s not there,” head coach Brian Flores said, through Safid Deen of the Sun-Sentinel.
Williams can be an elegant beginner caliber receiver, regardless of whether Fitzpatrick or rookie Tua Tagovailoa wins the initial test at education camp; according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the “wait” is that Fitzpatrick will be the starter. This may be the most productive situation for fantasy managers, as Fitzpatrick and Williams have established some chemistry.
With an ADP of only 146, Williams is a low-risk draft goal.
ADP FantasyPros.