Dynasty Shopping Mall - Value WRs

Posted 8/18 by Jeff Tefertiller, Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Just like any other shopping mall, this one will have different products at different levels of quality and price. In this series, 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. This study will examine purchasing value wide receivers for your fantasy team. Many times, these wideouts are forgotten by fantasy owners. But, dynasty teams need depth at the wide receiver position. Fantasy owners always worry about the starters and young prospects, but forget about injury or bye week needs. This article will address value pass catchers that are reasonably priced and good WR4 or WR5 for dynasty teams.

Ronald Curry

Ronald Curry is a phenomenal athlete. He was a standout basketball player for North Carolina. Curry played football, too, and was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. This offseason, the Raiders let Jerry Porter leave for Jacksonville and signed Javon Walker. Walker used to be a top playmaker. But, the skill and explosiveness are eroded. The Oakland Raiders are a young team looking to build for the future.

Outlook: Ronald Curry only has Walker and incoming Drew Carter as competition for catches. Carter is inconsistent and Walker is at the tail end of his career. Second-year passer JaMarcus Russell should continue to struggle at times. While improving, he is still raw and will have his ups and downs. But, Curry is the lone reliable receiver. After a WR44 season in 2007, fantasy owners should expect a slight improvement in 2008.

Store: Old Navy.

Price: A 2009 2nd or 3rd round pick

Recommendation: Hold or Sell. Curry is a consistent, yet unspectacular WR4 or WR5 for fantasy teams. There are others listed below that are better options for this price. Curry has more value in PPR and is a borderline starter in those leagues. He should benefit from any improvement by Russell. Due to missed time with numerous Achilles injuries, most do not realize that Curry is now 29 years old and at the crux of his career. He will be a solid bench receiver but not an every week starter. Curry offers little upside.

Jabar Gaffney

In 2007, Jabar Gaffney split time starting with Donte Stallworth. Now, Stallworth is playing for the Cleveland Browns, leaving Gaffney and Chad Jackson competing to start opposite Randy Moss. So we know the potential of Gaffney, he and Stallworth combined for 125 pass targets resulting in 82 receptions for 1,146 yards and eight scores. This would be good for a Top 12 finish. While it is unlikely that Gaffney (or Jackson) get all of the targets, the upside is undeniable. If Gaffney could garner most of those stats, his fantasy owners would be ecstatic.

Outlook: The New England Patriots really want Chad Jackson to take a step forward in his development and supplant Gaffney. But, Jackson has battled injury and has been slow to grasp the offense while Gaffney has been a clutch receiver for Tom Brady. Also, if there was an injury to either Randy Moss or Wes Welker, Gaffney's role would increase.

Store: J.C. Penney.

Price: A 2009 3rd round pick.

Recommendation: Buy. Jabar Gaffney makes a very solid bench receiver for fantasy teams. He can be started and produce good numbers in any given week. The high-powered Patriot offense should allow the possibility for several big games.

Laveranues Coles

Going into last year, the 30 year old from Florida State had not missed a game since his rookie season. But, the veteran only played in 11 games and still finished as WR39 after a hot start. He was averaging five receptions a game and had six scores before yielding to injury. Gone from New York is Coles' pal Chad Pennington and in comes Brett Favre. The strength of Favre's arm will help both Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. Also, having number four in the huddle will help the offense stay on course.

Outlook: Coles and Cotchery are the only two viable receivers for the Jets. The team has an average running game with Thomas Jones toting the rock. Just like in years past, fantasy owners should expect the former Washington Redskin to be a viable WR3. The nagging injuries and multiple concussions are a concern. Also, it is likely that Favre is not a Jet in 2009, leaving with another transition for the offense.

Store: The Gap.

Price: A 2009 2nd round pick and a decent prospect.

Recommendation: Hold or Sell. There are cheaper options that provide the same level of production. Coles does have talent and should be decent in 2008, but there is little upside in the receiver that averaged 11.7 yards per reception in 2007.

Donald Driver

Donald Driver is an afterthought for many fantasy owners at this stage of his career. The 33 year old from Alcorn State has been a top receiver for many years. In fact, going into the 2007 season, Driver had been a Top 13 receiver four of the previous five seasons. In 2007, the veteran still had 82 receptions for more than 1,000 yards, but a mere two scoring grabs. This led to a WR30 finish. The last time Driver had that few of touchdowns was in 2003, his other recent disappointing season.

Outlook: With the emergence of Greg Jennings and the departure of Brett Favre, many are forgetting about the veteran wideout that the team relies on for the clutch reception. Aaron Rodgers will look to Driver just as Favre did. He is the sure and steady guy in the Green Bay offense, surrounded by youngsters. Donald Driver provides veteran leadership for the Packer offense.

Store: Clearance Rack At Macy's. Driver is viewed as an outdated style and is now discounted.

Price: A 2009 2nd round pick or a decent prospect.

Recommendation: Buy if your fantasy team needs a solid WR3 for the 2008 season. There is a chance that the 2008 season is the last for Driver in Green Bay. He should bounce back and have a productive year with the Packers. Fantasy owners could do a lot worse than Donald Driver as WR3 for their teams in 2008.

David Patten

David Patten is the ideal fantasy WR5 or WR6 for fantasy teams. He is very reasonably priced and is capable of exploding for big games. Patten gets the benefit of having Colston, Shockey, and Bush to occupy defenses. David Patten has found a home in the Saint offense as the possession receiver that makes some big plays. The former Western Carolina star had five games with at least 10 fantasy points in 2007. This is huge for owners needing a bye week replacement. The big games gave fantasy owners confidence to start the diminutive receiver into fantasy lineups. Last year, Patten accumulated 54 receptions for 792 yards and three scores.

Outlook: David Patten was a quiet free agent acquisition for the New Orleans Saints in 2007. Many thought rookie Robert Meachem would emerge as the starting receiver opposite Marques Colston, but he could not stay healthy and develop. The Saints have since traded for Jeremy Shockey to roam the middle of the field. Drew Brees now has a cadre of weapons at his disposal. But, fantasy owners should still expect the former Charger passer to target the sure-handed former Patriot when he needs a clutch reception.

Store: Dollar Store

Price: Waiver Wire Pick up or a 2009 4th round pick

Recommendation: Buy. David Patten came out of nowhere to finish the 2007 season as WR42 in fantasy leagues. He is a starting receiver in one of the most prolific offenses in the league. Opposing defenses will concentrate on stopping Colston, Shockey and Bush, leaving Patten room to roam free.

There are several options for finding wide receiver depth at a reasonable price. Donald Driver, Jabar Gaffney, and David Patten all offer good upside for a cheap price. Each gives fantasy owners tremendous value. Acquiring these value receivers allows fantasy owners the ability to not have to rely on a rookie pass catcher.