The Once Reliable Fantasy WR

The Once Reliable Fantasy WR

Amongst many other things, one of my favorite keys to success in fantasy football is an intentional selection of reliable receivers. Knowing that your WR’s will be able to pick up the slack when your RB’s or QB’s have less than favorable match-ups is a luxury and always quick to put my mind at ease. Yet this year, if you adopted that strategy and invested heavily in the WR position at the draft, you may now find yourself scrambling as some of the pre-draft big name guys just aren’t as reliable as you thought they’d be. Here are just a few examples:

Calvin “Megatron” Johnson was arguably one of the hottest names at WR pre-draft. He had an incredible sophomore season (78 receptions, 1331 yards, 12 TDs) and most of these yards came with Daunte Culpepper at the helm. With the addition of 1st overall QB selection Matthew Stafford, Johnson’s value skyrocketed and so did his potential for the season. Alas, this season Johnson has only recorded 32 receptions for 436 yards with 1 touchdown.

Standard Scoring Leagues: 49 Points.

Fantasy Football Toolbox Average Draft Position: 4th WR, 16th Player Overall.

Greg Jennings is an extremely talented WR with an extremely talented QB throwing to him in Aaron Rodgers. Jennings and Rodgers established wonderful chemistry together last season. Jennings recorded 80 receptions for 1292 yards with 9 touchdowns, so naturally most of us couldn’t wait for this season. Unfortunately, the majority of the Packers pass offense this season is running through Donald Driver. Of Rodgers 17 TD’s so far Jennings only has 2, on 38 receptions with 543 yards. Not terrible numbers, but he is definitely not as reliable as he has been over the past two seasons.

Standard Scoring Leagues: 66 Points.

Fantasy Football Toolbox Average Draft Position: 6th WR, 22nd Player Overall.

Anquan Boldin has been stellar for the past few seasons, a player you could truly rely on to help your squad to fantasy victory. This season however Boldin can’t seem to find the end-zone. He’s recorded 43 catches for 509 yards, with one measly touchdown. Come on Quan, get into the game already.

Standard Scoring Leagues: 56 Points.

Fantasy Football Toolbox Average Draft Position: 9th WR, 26th Player Overall.

It’s almost unfair to put this guy in the mix, but we have to. Terrell Owens has been virtually unbearable to watch this season. Over the past two seasons T.O. has recorded an astounding 25 touchdowns. So far this season, a meagre one TD with only 26 receptions and 366 yards to show for his arrogance.

Standard Scoring Leagues: 53 Points.

Fantasy Football Toolbox Average Draft Position: 13th WR, 35th Player Overall.

Maybe Roy E. Williams shouldn’t be considered as a guy who “used to be reliable” because honestly he never was, but the fact remains that he was extremely hyped coming into this year’s fantasy draft.  Upon his arrival in Dallas last season he didn’t play spectacularly enough to warrant this hype, but the departure of T.O. and the inevitability that he would become the #1 in Big D set off fantasy sirens everywhere. To date Williams has recorded 24 receptions for 429 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Standard Scoring Leagues: 60 Points.

Fantasy Football Toolbox Average Draft Position: 16th WR, Player 45th Overall.

Runners-up: Chris Chambers, Santana Moss, Braylon Edwards, Mushin Muhammad, Nate Washington (never reliable, but an extremely large bust)

If you are relying on one of these guys at WR it may be time to check out some other options to bolster your WR corps or explore a trade while you can still squeeze out their value. One thing is certain, if this rate of play keeps up for these guys some of us are not going to be happy. It’s never nice to select a guy like Calvin Johnson in the second, maybe even first round to realize at this rate he’s going to finish off the season with 872 yards and 2 Touchdowns.

Follow us on Twitter: @GridironExperts