Last week we looked at five perfect wide receiver pairs for a best ball league. While the MFL10s are closing out, it’s still helpful to look at three more examples of these complimentary type players. As fantasy owners are in the middle of draft season, the strategy of stacking different style of players must be ever-present.
Mike Wallace (6th-7th round) and Greg Jennings (11th round)
Former Steelers’ star receiver, Mike Wallace, was mostly a flop in his first season as a Dolphin. Wallace held himself back with a number of drops, and what appeared to be lackadaisical play at times. It didn’t help much that Ryan Tannehill never developed any sort of chemistry with his new receiver. The young quarterback routinely missed Wallace on deep patterns, which are the speedster’s specialty. His yards per catch figure of 12.7 was way down from his career average of 16.1, and reflected the setbacks.
The potential for lack of chemistry, and inefficiency still exits. But there is optimism around Mike Wallace due to Miami’s change at offensive coordinator. Mike Sherman essentially lowered the fantasy value of every player in his offense last season. He consistently did not get the most out of his players’ skillsets. The new mastermind, Bill Lazor, is an old school coach who spent a season absorbing the Chip Kelly system. Lazor saw how Kelly used a player with similar blazing speed in DeSean Jackson. When he installs the up-tempo attack in Miami, Lazor will improve Wallace’s situation greatly. There could be many more big plays in his future, as compared to his recent past.
Greg Jennings is being criminally overlooked in fantasy drafts. He often goes in the 11th to 13th rounds. That’s far too late for a player who still has plenty left to offer. Jennings didn’t post great numbers last year, but he rebounded when the Vikings made the switch from Christian Ponder to Matt Cassel. Jennings averaged 6.18 more fantasy points in games where Cassel played compared to all others. He caught two more passes a game, and recorded over 20 more yards on average. There was chemistry and rhythm between the two veteran players. The two will get to carry things over into this season, as Matt Cassel will at least start the season off under center in Minnesota. If the team switches to Teddy Bridgewater, his passing style fits what Jennings does well too perfectly for the receiver to drop off much.
Wallace is the classic feast or famine type of fantasy player. With his blazing speed, he can easily take five catches for 100 yards and a score or two. However, with his inefficient tendencies, he can just as easily catch three for 20 yards any Sunday. Jennings, on the other hand, feels like a safe bet for a steady dose of receptions and yards. If his 2013 pace with Cassel drops just a tad, he’ll garner at least 10 points every week on average. You’re making a very cheap investment in Jennings to bet on that floor. That should provide a nice safety net for the few weeks Wallace inevitably disappears from the stat sheet.
DeSean Jackson (5th round) and Torrey Smith (6th-7th round)
Much like Mike Wallace, DeSean Jackson is primarily a deep threat that can be inconsistent in fantasy football. In contrast to Wallace, Jackson is coming off his best season. His 82 catches for 1,332 yards were career best, while his nine receiving touchdowns matched his previous high mark. Chip Kelly knew how to use Jackson as a consistent weapon, and put him in favorable situations.
Fantasy owners must remember a few things. Prior to the arrival of Kelly and his breakneck offensive pace, Jackson never recorded more than 62 catches in a season. He was mostly a frustratingly inconsistent player, who needed to break a big play to be a starting fantasy asset. That was as the top option in the Eagles’ passing game too. In Washington, Jackson will be the clear-cut number-two option, at best. Pierre Garcon has earned Robert Griffin III’s trust and Jordan Reed could own the middle of the field. Garcon is the number one, and Reed is the breakout candidate. That leaves Jackson with a complimentary role, and likely streaky production; there will be big weeks when there is a long touchdown, along with duds. At least fantasy owners should be used to that.
Torrey Smith has had his days as an inconstant deep threat, but has evolved. Smith quietly emerged as a reliable number one target last year, but was on a dreadful offense. The Ravens offense has looked dangerous in the preseason. That should be expected to continue with Gary Kubiak at the controls. Kubiak’s number one, X-receivers get peppered with targets, and rack up receptions. Smith gets to play the role Andre Johnson did for years, and Rod Smith once held in Denver. The young Raven is a highly skilled player, and can make good on most of his targets.
Adding a high volume player, who is going at a bargain, like Torrey Smith to compliment DeSean Jackson is a must. Smith gives you high weekly floor of targets guaranteed. Jackson will be streaky this season in Washington. This pair may have more upside than any other you can consider. But now that Torrey Smith is playing under Gary Kubiak, there’s a good bit of safety here too.
Anquan Boldin (10th round) and Kenny Stills (11th round)
In the double-digit rounds, it’s still wise to take players who compliment each other; a safe bet and a shoot for the stars type. Anquan Boldin is a perennially safe and successful fantasy asset. Last season, he unexpectedly amassed 1,000 yards and over 80 receptions. Many were ready to bury him prior to 2013, but Boldin said “not today”. He even continued to perform when number one target, Michael Crabtree returned healthy. The 49ers valued Boldin’s role, and re-signed him in the offseason. The team is also looking to ramp up their passing attack. They may be forced too anyways, because their defense is primed to take a step back. Boldin will still have plenty of opportunities to once again produce alongside a healthy Crabtree.
Kenny Stills averaged 20 yards a catch, recorded 641 yards and five touchdowns. It was a surprisingly good campaign for the fifth-rounder. The Saints view him as a big piece of their offense going forward. He can play a Robert Meachem-plus role, but has drawn internal comparisons to the reliable Lance Moore. Stills can bring a new element to the Saints offense. That being said, he’s still young and isn’t likely to be among the top three targets on the team. Still can have massive weeks, but is no doubt going to disappear just as often. In the eleventh round, he’s more than worth the price.
A big play threat in a Drew Brees offense is ideal for a best ball league. You want a piece of the Kenny Stills action. It just makes so much sense to take a safe player like Anquan Boldin a tad earlier just to protect your team. The veteran gives you a safe, if unflashy, point total to count on when Stills has an occasion disappearance.