Who are three wide receivers in do-or-die seasons that will either become fantasy stalwarts or fantasy football busts?
Introduction
Oh potential, you are a cruel mistress. Sometimes, it is hard to say goodbye to the guys you went ahead and put all of your fantasy football hopes and dreams in. However, that is why I am here — to help you set limits.
Often, we stay too long in a relationship when we know that it is over. The love has died and it is time to move on, but we just can’t! I am here to be your fantasy football relationship counselor. Below are three men who we are going to check in on and give them one last chance. Either they shape up, or they pack their stuff and get the…heck… out!
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
2021 stats: 56 receptions, 826 yards, 5 TDs
Oh, what was meant to be. Aiyuk was supposed to be the guy in San Francisco last year. Drafted, on average, ahead of Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk flashed such amazing upside his rookie year that it was almost a sure thing that he would become a fantasy stud. Instead, he found himself firmly in Kyle Shanahan’s doghouse for reasons that were never really made known.
Instead of the breakout we all wanted, Aiyuk was relegated to a supporting role for Samuel and the 49ers’ offense. Frankly, 56 catches are nothing to write home about, and it doesn’t bode well for the future. However, Aiyuk’s back half of the year showed his potential again and people are firmly in his corner!
Brandon Aiyuk was WR16 after week 8, with a full season pace of 73-1,128-6.
Projecting him as your big breakout is the lowest hanging fruit.
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) June 15, 2022
At some point, potential has to turn into reality and this is the year it has to happen. If he doesn’t make the jump to the weekly starter, I fear that it will never happen. Draft him cautiously.
Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
2021 stats: 55 receptions, 982 yards, 5 TDs
Meet the man who broke the wide receiver market. Signing a deal that pays him, on average, $18 million a season, while never putting up a 1,000-yard receiving season, means that the Jags are probably planning on making him the focal point of their offense.
A struggling Trevor Lawrence, a bad offensive line, and a Doug Pederson coaching staff that hasn’t exactly excelled in the receiver department means that Kirk is fighting an uphill battle. Plus, he has never been asked to lead an offense.
I am really not buying the narrative that Kirk is going to make the leap. If he doesn’t in his first year of the big contract, I don’t really expect it to ever happen. Trust that the higher-ups are going to try to feed him the ball more, it will be on him to do something with it.
Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers
2021 stats: 40 receptions, 513 yards, 8 TDs
Behold! The man I expect to make the biggest leap of any of these three guys. Lazard is primed for a huge (say it with me, YUUUGGGGEEEE) fantasy football season. Davante Adams left town to break the bank in Vegas, leaving the door open for Lazard to make his leap.
Much like Davante before him, Lazard is now stepping in as Aaron Rodgers‘ most trusted weapon post superstar exit. Greg Jennings had Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson had Jennings, Adams had Nelson, and Lazard had Adams. I put the idea into the universe that Allen Lazard has a path to WR1 territory!
Potential SLEEPER overall WR1 for redraft this season
🚨Diontae Johnson
🚨Mike Evans
🚨Allen Lazard
🚨Courtland Sutton
🚨Amari CooperI don't think they WILL I think they COULD and will draft them as such
— Steve Lawson🍂 (@Steve_Lawson93) June 14, 2022
Aaron Rodgers has never had an issue force-feeding a receiver and, in the game that Adams missed against the Saints, Lazard put up a blistering 6 receptions for 150 yards and 2 TDs. The point is, Rodgers likes the guys he has reported with. Lazard is the target I would go for of these three. Draft him and reap the benefits of your boldness!
So, there you go. The final chances have been given and their stuff is packed by the door if they don’t want to change their ways!
Have a great day, week, month, or however long it is before we see you on here again! Thanks for reading my article! If you’d like to read more of my work, you can find it on my IDP Guys author page. Please give me a follow on Twitter @FFbycommittee. Remember, it’s never goodbye. It’s just ’til next time.
