Avoid these Veteran WRs in Your 2022 Drafts
The wide receiver position continues to get younger but there is still some value to be had in veterans at the position. Still, there are some familiar names that are being overvalued in drafts. We take a look at three of those players below.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
While he's never really made the leap to true WR1 status in fantasy football, Amari Cooper has been a remarkably consistent option in the very unpredictable world of fantasy. He's never finished higher than 10th in points, but also hasn't been outside the top 30 in points per game either. Given new surroundings and a very middling year last year, he's being drafted at an ADP of 25 , which is pretty acceptable if you assume the trend to hold. But Cooper won't be on any of my teams.
The biggest concern is the quarterback position and what happens with DeShaun Watson. Some sort of a suspension is coming, and you would have to assume it's at least six games, if not more. Cooper will certainly see volume with only Donovan Peoples-Jones on the roster as a "proven" option, but you can't draft on volume alone. And I'm not waiting around 6, 8, or even 10 games for Cooper to turn into his ceiling as a WR2. There are a lot higher upside options in the late 5th through 7th round, and I'll be taking a player that presents a higher ceiling and a safer situation.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Keenan Allen is one of my favorite wide receivers of all time. Some of the best hands in the game, incredibly consistent performer, never injured, swaggy as hell, etc. So, believe me, when I say, it pained me to put him on the list. While I don't think he is necessarily a player you need to avoid, he is one that is being over-drafted.
If you want a safe option, Allen represents that. He will likely fall in the mid to end wide receiver two range. But with an ADP and ranking of 10 , he's being drafted as a WR1. He will continue as Justin Herbert's security blanket and will have a high PPR floor when on the field. But he's never been much of a red zone target having never topped 8 touchdowns on the season. And I'm more than a bit concerned that age is going to catch up to him this season at age 30. All in all, I think Allen is a fine WR2, but I won't be paying for a high floor in the late second, or early third round.
Robert Woods, Tennessee Titans
Almost as consistent as Allen, Robert Woods has been a go-to PPR choice for fantasy players ever since he moved to the Rams in 2017. But after a torn ACL, he was traded to the Tennessee Titans in the off-season. If healthy, he will start the season as the Titans WR1, helping coach up first-round draft pick Treylon Burks. But that initial volume is where the good news ends. This is the number one rushing offense in the league and Woods doesn’t have touchdown upside. He will also likely be out-targeted by Burks by the end of the year. If you are looking for wide receiver depth, I'm looking at a higher upside younger player than Woods.
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