2014 produced one of the most successful classes of rookie wide receivers in years. With that said, there are now some fantastic dynasty league options to consider when drafting for those keeper leagues. These wide receivers accomplished enough last year to make them promising options that could breakout as some of the most elite fantasy receivers our dynasty leagues have seen in some time.
5. Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints
Due to the fact that the Saints’ current No. 1 receiver Marques Colston is entering his 10th year in the NFL and is an expensive option for the team to retain makes Cooks a fabulous future dynasty selection. While Cooks sits in a crowed backfield of receiving talent, 2015 may not be the year he totally breaks out, however that time is coming in the near future.
Cooks, before ending his season prematurely due to suffering a broken thumb in Week 10, was already impressing his audience with his speed and accuracy. Catching 53 of his 69 pass attempts last season showed that Cooks was developing a great chemistry with his quarterback Drew Brees. Compare that with Colston’s 59 receptions on 99 attempts for last season. Cooks makes a great future breakout bargain while the buying is low.
4. Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
Watkins, the first-overall wide receiver drafted in 2014, was able to impress despite the less-than-ideal quarterback conditions he faced with the Bills. Issues with quarterback accuracy held Watkins to just 65 catches from 128 attempts for the year. However, he did an excellent job turning those catches into 982 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per reception. He also proved his durability by roughing it out through a couple minor injuries he suffered performing in all 16 games of the season.
If given the opportunity to work under an improved quarterback in the future, Watkins should only improve and breakout into an excellent dynasty option for fantasy teams moving forward. A bit under the radar right now due to the fact he ranked 25th in fantasy points for 2014 makes him a sleeper with great potential to secure for your team.
3. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans had a remarkable 2014 rookie season and proved that he could take the scraps that was dealt and turn them into fantasy gold. Never mind that he caught balls from the 28th and 33rd –ranked signal callers in Josh McCown and Mike Glennon. What Evans did with his 68 of 123 catches was amazing turning them into 1,051 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Never mind also that the Buccaneers only won two games, because Evans was busy working his way to the 10th ranked wide receiver in fantasy points for 2014.
Evans had a unique way for making big plays as shown by his 15.5 yards per catch when given the opportunity. Moving forward, Evans makes a fabulous dynasty league option for seasons to come. Possibly playing under the most adverse of all situations for any wide receiver not belonging to the Cleveland Browns in 2014, should make us wonder what he could be capable of under improved quarterback circumstances.
2. Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers
When planning to select wide receivers in dynasty leagues moving ahead, Benjamin should be at the top of everyone’s list. One of these years, perhaps not 2015, but soon, the 6’-5” wide receiver should breakout and sync up with his 6’-6” quarterback Cam Newton and make some fabulous plays for seasons to come. Considering Benjamin and Newton struggled to connect on more than one occasion, Benjamin still managed to turn 73 receptions of his attempted 145 passes into 1,008 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He completed 2014 17th ranked in fantasy points with obvious room for improvement.
The young giant-sized duo of Benjamin and Newton will take time to evolve, however, being that Benjamin is already handling the role of the Panthers’ top receiver this will keep the targets and fantasy points coming for many seasons down the road.
1. Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
Nothing negative can really be said about this must-add wide receiver to dynasty leagues moving forward. Finishing fifth in fantasy points among his class after missing the first four games of the 2014 NFL season speaks wonders for the spectacular one-handed catching machine. Putting up phenomenal numbers in his rookie debut, Beckham had 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns over the course of his 12 games. Targeted 130 times by his quarterback Eli Manning, Beckham impressively had 91 receptions. Considering Manning’s shaky at times signal-calling, Beckham didn’t falter.
While there are opinions that Beckham will be a boom or bust type of receiver, or the that the return of fellow wide receiver Victor Cruz will negatively impact him, there is no reason to not trust that Beckham will not breakout into one of the most sustainable dynasty players of the decade.