Here at Footballguys.com, we have Spotlights and Faceoffs. Those features are fairly comprehensive, but they are limited to viewpoints from either one or two writers. Well some players need a little more commentary. We have decided open up the dialog and asked our staff to leave their thoughts on these players and what is expected from them in 2010. Here, discussion centers around WR DeSean Jackson.
Andy Hicks: DeSean Jackson made the most of his opportunities in 2009. Exit Donovan McNabb, enter Kevin Kolb.
Jackson actually had fewer targets last season than in his rookie season, when he finished as the 29th-best fantasy WR. Last year's nine TDs and 18.5 yards per catch elevated him to a 4th-place finish at his position.
Whether Jackson is actually that good or whether he had a lucky season is open to debate, but the change in QB and his less-than-ideal height leave me wondering if he is capable of that kind of production year in, year out.
The number of lengthy TDs he scored in 2009 is a tribute to his speed, but can he do it again? With Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant very capable receivers in their own right, I worry particularly that Maclin will move into the WR1 role, relegating Jackson to a secondary role that may actually suit him better.
All told, Jackson demonstrated that he is deserves to be mentioned as an elite playmaker, but the change in QB, his lack of size, the development of Maclin, and last year's likely anomalous number of big plays all make me wonder whether 2009 was a career year. I'm going to pass on DeSean Jackson this year.
Sigmund Bloom: You can find more consistent WR1 options, but no one should be shocked if DeSean Jackson not only equals his astounding big-play-laced numbers of 2009, but actually exceeds them in 2010.
Jackson had over 100 yards and found the end zone in both of Kevin Kolb's starts last year, so there doesn't seem to be any reason to be worried about how those two will riff this year. Kolb's ability to run the Andy Reid offense more true to its design could unlock even more of Jackson's upside, giving Jackson more run-after-the-catch opportunities. While it's easy to try to chalk up Jackson's unprecedented big-play rate to luck or blown coverages, you can't deny that defenses just have trouble keeping track of Jackson, and there's no reason to think that task will get easier as Jackson and fellow starter Jeremy Maclin become more experienced. While he drops from a top-end WR1 option to a bottom-end one when you move from non-PPR to PPR leagues, Jackson is still a perfect #2 if you can get him in the early third to pair with a better PPR WR in the late 2nd, and he's definitely a top 5 WR in leagues that give bonuses for long TDs.
Jeff Pasquino: DeSean Jackson should not see much of a slip, if any, in performance from last year. He is not a PPR machine at all but somehow he gets open deep practically every game despite every team in the NFL knowing that is his style. As for the switch from Donovan McNabb to Kevin Kolb, right now Kolb is a more accurate passer and has a better deep arm than McNabb. Kolb targeted him quite often in his two starts last year and that trend should continue this year. Jackson will not have huge PPR value but he is a threat to break 100 yards and score practically every week.
Maurile Tremblay: Along with Chris Johnson, DeSean Jackson is about as exciting and dynamic a player there is in the NFL, but an awful lot had to break just right last season for him to put up the numbers he did. If he gets about 120 targets again, he'll probably end up with fewer than 70 receptions again - and it's just really difficult to put up a top ten (or even top fifteen) fantasy season on fewer than 70 receptions. I love watching DeSean Jackson play, but I doubt that I'll end up with him on any of my fantasy teams this season.