It's always a challenge when trying to draft that top wide receiver, who will finish the season rewarding you for where you took him in the draft. TWhen deciding which wide receiver to take, you have to factor in production and the abilities of thir quarterback. Additionally some team roster switches have occurred which will impact future fantasy production.
Here’s a look at some wide receivers whose draft stock may be on the rise and decline in 2015 fantasy season due to varying factors
Wide Receivers on the Rise
Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles
Mathews finished his rookie season ranking 24th in fantasy points last year, managing 872 yards and eight touchdowns. All while working alongside fellow wideout Jeremy Maclin. Without Maclin this season, look for Matthews’ role to expand as the clear standout receiver to see increased targets in 2015. Mathews was productive while working under revolving quarterbacks last season and if that should be the case this year, he should weather the changes just fine. This makes Mathews a viable WR2 moving forth.
Eric Decker, New York Jets
As predicted, when Decker moved from the Denver Broncos to the Jets last season, his fantasy value tanked. Finishing 2014 as the 28th ranked wide receiver. Decker could be on the move up the ranks now that wide receiver Brandon Marshall has joined the team. Marshall’s presence should take the heat off of Decker, allowing him to fill that comfortable No. 2 wideout position he was used to in Denver. He isn’t going to be a top-10 fantasy option while working under quarterback Geno Smith, however, his numbers should improve from those of last season.
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
Due to the departure of Marshall, mentioned above, Jeffery benefits in his new role as Chicago's No.1 receiver. His numbers took a slight dip last season, however, new coaching and management changes in Chicago should have the Bears’ offense improving as a unit in 2015. Unless the team drafts a receiver better than Jeffery, he should be trustworthy to draft as a high end WR2 this season.
Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints
The Saints lost a powerful weapon in tight end Jimmy Graham, whom they traded away to the Seattle Seahawks. In 2014, Graham was responsible for nearly 20 percent of the passes thrown by quarterback Drew Brees. Before Cooks suffered a thumb injury last year, he was showing impressive signs of being a great fantasy receiver in the making. Now with Kenny Stills landing in Miami, Cooks will be the No. 2 guy opposite veteran wideout Marques Colston and should be drafted as a flex with upside.
Wide Receivers on the Decline
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
Green, who was likely drafted as a trusty WR1 last year, disappointed his fantasy owners badly. A victim of quarterback Andy Dalton’s lousy arm and seeing a demise in targets due to the emergence of the Bengals’ run game, Green slipped down the ranks. This could easily be the case this season unless Dalton suddenly turns into Aaron Rodgers, which isn't happening. The Bengals will keep running the ball to relieve the pressure on Dalton, making Green a lower-end WR2 moving forward.
Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
Thomas is still draft-worthy of course. However, he is likely to see a dip in production in 2015 due to the fact that the Broncos are going to ease up on quarterback Peyton Manning’s passing attempts. When Manning’s production began to decline towards the end of the 2014 season, Thomas saw less red zone action and only scored two touchdowns in his last five games. Look for the Broncos to pound the ground more with their newfound gem of a running back C.J. Anderson, which will take a dip into Thomas’ fantasy value in 2015.
Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs
Sadly, Maclin is now in the land where no wide receivers scored a touchdown in 2014. To think Maclin is going to score anywhere near the 10 touchdowns he had in 2014, now under quarterback Alex Smith would be overly optimistic. Maclin also put up 1,318 receiving yards last season, which won’t happen as long as running back Jamaal Charles is healthy and toting the ball. Maclin will settle in as a middling WR3 in 2015, so don’t reach too high for him in 2015.
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
In past years, Johnson is usually off the board by the sixth pick in the first round of fantasy drafts. However, this year, Johnson did not hold up his end of the bargain. Struggling with injuries and competing for targets with fellow wideout Golden Tate in the picture, Johnson’s numbers dropped, making him the 14th ranked receiver in fantasy points in 2014. Johnson obviously makes a good draft pick, just not an exceptional one with the team’s circumstances remaining nearly the same moving into 2015. To keep Megatron healthy moving forward, Tate will see at least half of the targets just like last year, eating into Johnson’s fantasy numbers.