Dynasty Shopping Mall - Week 17

Posted 12/26 by Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Just like any other shopping mall, this will have different products at different levels of quality and price. We will shop around at different stores like Bloomingdales, Macy's, Sears, even the Dollar Store and look for products to buy. The focus will be on value. Many times the expensive products are worth the price. Some times they are not. We will examine opportunities to buy at a reasonable price compared to value. The products we are purchasing are fantasy players for our dynasty team.

We are at the time in the season when the trade deadline has passed in most leagues. Fantasy owners should be examining players to acquire that should be worth more in the offseason or next year. These are players to stash as free chances that could strike gold. The opportunity will mostly come from a potential change in situation. It happens every year. A player has changed teams or the situation changes within a team and the player goes from worthless to very worthwhile. Chester Taylor is a prime example. So are Wes Welker and Sammy Morris for this past season. There is a long list of players that fit this description. A savvy dynasty owner could easily have picked up Welker at the end of last season and had a viable fantasy starter for free.

This is our last week in the fantasy season. This week, we will examine some wide receivers that should be on the waiver wire in most leagues.

Mike Walker

The rookie was productive in the preseason, even though he was slowed by a knee injury. He has battled this same knee injury since his junior year. The former Central Florida star had knee surgery before his senior year of college to correct the problem, and played his senior season. Walker is an impressive athlete. He is 6'2" tall and weighs in at 209 pounds. At the NFL Combine, the rookie ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds. This was with the knee still giving his fits. Mike Walker's knee was such a problem that he was placed on injured reserve for the 2007 season early on.

Outlook: The Jaguars have plenty of receivers, but most have thoroughly disappointed. Mike Walker showed in preseason that he could be the best of the bunch, even though he was competing while injured. The Jacksonville Jaguars have some former high draft picks at the receiver position. But, Reggie Williams and Matt Jones are not the productive receivers the Jaguars want to rely on in the future. They signed slot receiver, Dennis Northcutt, from the Cleveland Browns for depth. Northcutt might be the most reliable pass catcher this season for the Jaguars. There is great opportunity for the rookie that impressed in preseason.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: Waiver Wire
Recommendation: Buy if you have the space. Mike Walker is on the waiver wire in many leagues. He could very easily be the top Jaguar receiver in 2008. The rookie has potential to be a fantasy starter in the future.

Brandon Stokely

The former Raven and Colt was to be close to the end of his career before signing a one-year deal last offseason. Oh, what a difference a year can make. In one year, Peyton Manning's former slot receiver has overcome a serious injury to be a big part of the Denver offense. The Broncos have little depth at the position and Brandon Stokely looks to have a defined role going into 2008. Also, for a pass receiver who has had trouble staying healthy, the 31 year old has played in every game so far this season. In his first eight season in the league, Stokely played eight or fewer games five times.

Outlook: Brandon Stokely looks to be an integral part of the Bronco offense going forward. He signed a three-year contract extension and is a long-term part of the Bronco plans for the future. There is a real possibility that Javon Walker will not be a Bronco in 2008. He is still suffering from a knee injury and does not look like the explosive receiver the former Seminole was as a Packer. With Jay Cutler at the helm of the Bronco offense long term, Stokely and Brandon Marshall offer stability at the receiver position. The Denver offense will have most of its key personnel back in 2008. Stokely is a great possession receiver for the Broncos.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: Waiver Wire
Recommendation: Buy if you need the receiver depth. Stokely is the perfect fantasy WR5/6 that can be used in spot duty, especially in PPR leagues.

Drew Carter

The former Ohio State Buckeye has displayed big play potential. His one weakness is his hands. Carter has good speed and athletic ability. This season, the 26 year old has beat out former Trojans, Kerry Colbert and Dwayne Jarrett for the starting receiver job opposite Steve Smith. The poor quarterback play of the Panther reserve passers has not helped Carter any. There are fewer passes down the field and fewer chances for the big play. Drew Carter is a gifted athlete that is an impressive specimen. The former Buckeye's big play ability is showcased by his 13.6 career yards per reception average. Also, the 6'3", 200-pound receiver displayed his ability in week eleven. Against the stout Green Bay Packer defense, Carter caught five of his six targets for 132 yards and a touchdown. Two of those receptions went for over 40 yards.

Outlook: Drew Carter is a free agent this offseason. He should have no problem finding suitors. The former fifth round draft pick will get a chance to start next year for a new team. He will need to display consistency, one thing he has struggled with while a Panther.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: Waiver Wire
Recommendation: Pass. Let someone else roster the receiver with waffle irons for hands. The NFL is littered with receivers with great speed, but poor hands. He will have to fall into the perfect situation to have much upside. Drew Carter has caught only 55% of his pass targets. That is not good.

Jason Hill

The rookie receiver from Washington State has battled injuries throughout his first season in the league. He does have talent. Hill averaged a touchdown a game for all seasons he caught a pass. This is an impressive feat. But, the first-year player has disappointed so far this season. Since the team is so far removed from the playoff chase, expect the rookie to get more playing time. Most will remember the knock on Hill being his timed speed until the NFL Combine when he ran a 4.3. The receiver's blazing time solidified his high draft status with that run. Jason Hill is only 22 years old and is still maturing. The former third round draft pick was the 76th pick overall in last year's NFL Draft.

Outlook: The Forty-Niners are a team without many NFL-caliber receivers. Arnaz Battle is the best pass catcher on the team. Veteran Darrell Jackson has been largely ineffective since leaving Seattle. The former Seahawk is not the same receiver football fans remember. There is opportunity for the rookie receiver if he can stay healthy and continue to progress. He is one player that will benefit from the offseason. After being a non-factor for most of the season, Jason Hill became the team's third receiver late in the season. It did not translate into fantasy production, but is a good sign.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: Waiver Wire
Recommendation: Buy if you have the space and can afford to wait until next season for the payoff. The San Francisco offense is in disarray. They are on their third quarterback of the season and are a team void of playmakers.

Isaiah Stanbeck

The former college quarterback has potential. Being a converted quarterback, Stanbeck understands the game and is a heady player. He is a very athletically gifted receiver that has a high potential in the NFL. Jerry Jones, on his weekly television show said, "Candidly, we think Stanbeck has the talent to be a real star in the league". Could this be hyperbole? Sure. One thing fantasy owners need is patience, especially with young receivers who were passers at the collegiate level. Look how long it took fellow Cowboy Patrick Crayton to turn the corner. The same goes for Brad Smith of the Jets. Make no mistake Isaiah Stanbeck is a project. But, he is a project with a high upside.

Outlook: Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are getting older. In fact, Glenn's career seems to be getting close to coming to an end. Patrick Crayton is a free agent at season's end. Sam Hurd is the only other young receiver left for the Cowboys and he has not progressed the way Dallas had hoped. There is also a good probability that the Dallas Cowboys address the position early in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: Waiver Wire
Recommendation: Buy if you can afford the time to wait until the 2008 preseason. Isaiah Stanbeck will need the time to develop.

Mark Bradley

The former Oklahoma Sooner is gifted with athletic talent. His main detraction has been the ability to stay healthy. It seems as though the young receiver is always battling a new injury. His asset is his speed and the ability to get open deep. Mark Bradley is still only 25 years old. The third-year pro has only 36 career receptions in 29 games. The 6'2", 200-pound receiver is averaging over fifteen yards on each of those catches. He offers the Bear offense a much-needed big play weapon.

Outlook: With Bernard Berrian a free agent this coming offseason and Muhsin Muhammad showing his age, the Bears will need for Bradley to progress and step up into a starting role. The entire Bear offense is in a state of transition. In addition to the receiver position, the Chicago front office will need to address the running back position in the offseason. Cedric Benson is not the answer. There is also uncertainty at quarterback with Rex Grossman a free agent and Brian Griese underperforming this season. This is one team that will have many new faces on offense. It is too early to know how this will affect the speedy former Sooner.
Store: Dollar Store
Price: Waiver Wire.
Recommendation: Let someone else roster the speedy Bradley. At this point in his young career, it would be difficult to rely on the former Oklahoma star to stay healthy long enough to make an impact.

Fantasy owners should look to pick up Mike Walker and Jason Hill if they are dropped in dynasty leagues. Way too many fantasy owners are impatient with rookie receivers. Brandon Stokely and Isaiah Stanbeck are also players to keep an eye on. Both are available in many leagues. All four of these players are worth a shot. Since none of the receivers are "sexy" fantasy receivers, I expect them to be dropped in the offseason for the flavor of the week. Below are other receivers that could be decent waiver dynasty options to take a chance on:

Andre Davis - free agent and could big plays as a WR3 for a new team
Kevin Walter - he is the starting receiver opposite AJ and is a decent depth option
Maurice Stovall - forgotten with Galloway/Hilliard playing well
Michael Clayton - flashed potential, but behind two aging veterans
Devery Henderson - could be on a new team next year. Has big play potential
David Patten - possible departure of Henderson Copper could help Patten surprise
Chad Jackson/Jabar Gaffney - many expect Donte Stallworth to be cut, leaving the WR3 job open to one of these receivers to step into
Andre Allison - flashed some potential and can make plays. The Viking offense, with a change at quarterback, could propel the rookie into a prominent role.
Sinorice Moss - looked good in week fourteen against the Redskins. The age of Toomer leaves a starting spot open very soon.
Devin Hester - Has seen his targets rise late in the season as the Bears look to take advantage of the big play ability.
Laurent Robinson - Could be the Falcons' starting receiver opposite Roddy White next season. Not a ton of competition. Uncertainty at quarterback has not helped any of the Falcon receivers.

I have had a blast writing this article each week and will be available all offseason for any discussion on dynasty strategy or players to target. Look for me to be active in the Shark Pool during the offseason. Please feel free to shoot me a PM or email with any questions or comments.