WR & TE Rookie Preview + Diggs Blockbuster!

Summary:

Breakdown of Stefon Diggs Trade 05:06

• The Buffalo Bills traded Stefan Diggs to the Houston Texans, receiving a 2025 second-round pick while the Texans acquired Diggs along with draft picks, with the Bills now shouldering a significant dead money hit for Diggs.
• The trade indicates a strategic shift for the Bills, possibly signaling a move away from Diggs as a core part of their team.
• Analysis suggests that post-Joe Brady’s influence, Diggs’ performance declined significantly, potentially leading to the Bills reassessing his value to the team.

The bills wanted to get rid of Stefan Diggs and this contract. They’re eating a ton of money and they’re not getting that much compensation. They’re getting less than a second round future pick. This year, they’re giving up a sixth and getting nothing back other than paying a large chunk of his salary. So clearly, whether this was digs trying to get out the bills wanting to get out. This is a, we no longer want to have digs as part of our plan to be the best team we could be. – The Fantasy Footballers

Fantasy Outlook and Implications 08:15

• Prior to the trade, Diggs had a low fantasy value ranking and concerns about aging out at 31 years old.
• Analysis suggests that Diggs was underutilized under the Joe Brady system, impacting his fantasy performance negatively.
• The trade to Houston presents new opportunities for Diggs, potentially reviving his fantasy value if he can adapt to a different scheme that maximizes his skills.

My biggest fear with digs, like, was very low. He was on my personal early rankings prior to this news. He was my wide receiver 22. He was barely a wide receiver too because the Joe Brady system that he brought over didn’t utilize him, didn’t use him down the field the same as he was in the first half. – The Fantasy Footballers

Stefon Diggs Trade Speculations 09:00

• The trade involving Stefan Diggs has raised questions about his performance and future value, especially with the dynamics of his current contract and the team’s strategic decisions.
• There is speculation about whether Diggs is entering a new phase of his career similar to Deandre Hopkins‘ productive phase in his early thirties.
• The trade not only impacts Diggs but also calls into question the value of other players like Tank Dell and Nico Collins in the short term.
• The team’s motives for the trade and the potential implications for Josh Allen‘s long-term performance are being scrutinized.

“A team in a championship win-now window traded their presumed number one wide receiver at an unbelievable amount of dead cap. What Diggs’ contract really looks like after this could be a significant factor.”

Impact on CJ Stroud and the Buffalo Bills 09:15

• CJ Stroud‘s opportunity to lead a high-flying offense with Stefan Diggs as a target could elevate his fantasy quarterback ranking significantly.
• The Buffalo Bills‘ situation following Diggs’ departure presents an intriguing narrative, especially in terms of the impact on the wide receiver room and their subsequent draft strategies.

“CJ Stroud could make a leap to possibly being a top-six or seven quarterback in fantasy; the addition of Diggs might just be the boost he needs.”

Wide Receivers and Tight End Preview 18:00

• Teams like Arizona, New England, Chargers, Giants, Denver, New Orleans, and the Bills are in dire need of wide receivers due to roster gaps and projected picks.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. stands out as a top prospect, with impressive stats, being a top pick certainty, and comparisons to Jamar Chase in terms of draft value.
• Harrison Jr.’s polished skills in route running and catching, along with his height and lack of notable weaknesses, make him a strong contender to follow in his Hall of Fame father’s footsteps.

Marvin Harrison sits atop the list of prospects at wide receiver.

Malik Nabers Analysis 26:14

• Malik Neighbors from LSU, although not as tall as Harrison Jr., brings unique strengths such as speed with his 4.35 forty time.
• Coming in slightly lighter with a good height, Neighbors presents a speed element that can be valuable to teams needing a different kind of playmaker.

He’s six foot Harrison six three.

Analyzing Wide Receiver Prospects: Nabers, Harrison, and Odunze 26:30

• Comparisons between wide receiver prospects like Malik Neighbors, Marvin Harrison, and Roma Dunesa highlight considerations about their playing style and potential in the NFL.
• The shift in NFL offenses towards utilizing slot wide receivers like Neighbors indicates a changing landscape in player value.
• Dunesa’s impressive size and athletic ability position him as a top prospect, despite some concerns about his performance against man coverage.

Slot production in college doesn’t always translate. Malik Neighbors has intangibles and other things on film that set him apart from others.

Evaluating Brian Thomas Jr.’s Potential 33:13

• Brian Thomas Jr.’s college performance at LSU showcases his ability as a touchdown scorer but raises questions regarding his catching technique and consistency.
• Concerns about Thomas Jr.’s high rate of basket catches point to potential areas of improvement in his game.
• Despite his athletic prowess, Thomas Jr.’s late transition to wide receiver and dependency on Neighbors in the offense could impact his development as a pro prospect.

I mean, for a guy who’s over 17 yards per catch and 17 receiving touchdowns, it just felt like I didn’t see him high pointing the ball as much as I’d want. Too many basket catches.

Prospects’ Draft Capital and Future Outlook 32:17

• Analyzing the potential draft capital of prospects like Roma Dunesa offers insights into their projected roles and opportunities in the NFL.
• Dunesa’s combination of size and skill set could make him a valuable asset in a team’s receiving corps, despite some performance concerns.
• Considerations of draft position and rookie rankings suggest varying levels of potential impact for different wide receiver prospects.

His draft capital is going to be high; he’s usually mocked to the Bears at nine.

Brian Thomas & Troy Franklin Comparison 35:52

• Four first-round wide receivers since 2015, including Brian Thomas, have a draft percentage below 22%, raising concerns about their potential impact.
• Brian Thomas fits the mold of being a “real, real fast guy,” which aligns with previous lower-drafted speed-focused receivers.
• While Thomas may have concerns due to his potential limited role as a deep threat, his athleticism, youth, and positional newness suggest a promising ceiling.
• There’s a worry that Thomas could end up as solely a downfield big-play receiver, a type that might not offer consistent fantasy value.

“His athleticism, his young age, and newness to the position. I think his ceiling is good, but I do worry, like what if he just becomes in the end for fantasy purposes, he just becomes a downfield, big-play guy.”

Analysis of Troy Franklin’s Potential 36:59

• Troy Franklin, weighing in at 176-180 pounds, raises concerns with his weight fluctuations and underwhelming performance at the combine.
• While Franklin’s film showcases impressive speed and the ability to stretch defenses vertically, questions arise about his consistency as a wide receiver one caliber player.
• Destination will play a pivotal role in Franklin’s success, with landing spots potentially determining his fantasy relevance.

“I think physically he’s not built to be one of those top-tier guys…scorch them in the secondary. But to me, that doesn’t necessarily translate into…a consistent, wide receiver one caliber type of player.”

Analysis of Ladd McConkey’s Prospects 41:11

• Lad McConkey, a standout prospect, displayed remarkable speed and agility during the senior bowl.
• Despite his impressive physical attributes and route-running skills, concerns arise over his lack of significant production at Georgia compared to his potential.
• McConkey’s draft position and eventual team destination will largely influence his potential as a reliable target for quarterbacks.

“I think he’s going to be a best friend of quarterbacks if he lands in the right situation.”

Breakout Ages and College Dominator Metrics 44:30

• Breakout ages around 20-21 are considered ideal for players to make an impact.
• The college dominator metric evaluates the percentage of a team’s receiving yards and touchdowns.
• A dominator metric above 35% indicates exceptional performance, with Marvin Harrison standing out at 47%.

“He had a breakout, and that would have been a good age that would have been 21 or 20.”

Evaluating Ladd McConkey’s Potential Impact and Landing Spot44:52

• Lad McConkey’s impressive zone yards per outrun of 4.27 showcases his ability to excel in specific areas.
• His skills in finding open spaces and displaying excellent football IQ are highlighted.
• However, his draft capital will determine if he can secure a lead role in a team or be relegated to a slot position.

“There was so much of it that was like Travis Kelce-esque of him just finding… and be a wide-open target for the quarterback.”

Assessment of Texas Wide Receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell46:33

• Xavier Worthy’s exceptional speed and production at Texas position him as a potential deep threat.
• Adonai Mitchell’s versatility and physical attributes, including a solid combine performance, offer a more well-rounded skill set.
• Concerns exist that Worthy may be limited to a one-dimensional role due to his speed.

“He’s gonna be the right thing.”

Contrasting Evaluation of Mitchell and Worthy49:57

• While opinions vary, personal scouting impressions shape preferences between Mitchell and Worthy.
• Mitchell’s strengths lie in his ability to break tackles and make plays near the boundary, contrasting with differing views on his overall skill set.
• Worthy’s complete skill set is favored by some, indicating a potential to excel beyond deep threats.

“Not at all, and some of that can be biased by what we like to see in wide receivers in general.”

Roman Wilson’s Potential 52:28

• Roman Wilson’s profile resembles that of successful players like Amon-Ra St. Brown; despite not having ideal combine numbers, Wilson’s production and skills make him a standout prospect.
• His exceptional hands, speed, toughness, and route-running abilities position him as a valuable NFL wide receiver with a similar trajectory to Sterling Shepard.
• Quote: > “Um, better than you thought he was kind of play. I love Roman Wilson. I really do.”

Xavier Leggett’s Enigmatic Transformation 53:19

• Xavier Leggett’s sudden transition from being unproductive in previous years to a dominant force in his fifth year raises concerns about his consistency and potential red flags, despite his impressive athleticism.
• The drastic improvement in Leggett’s performance in his last year, coupled with his age playing against younger competition, presents a cautionary tale to fantasy football investors.
• Quote: > “He makes no sense because there’s no way that the guy who did what he did in 2023 could have been so non-existent for the four previous years.”

Jermane Burton’s Explosive Skill Set 56:39

• Jermane Burton emerges as an exciting prospect due to his explosive athleticism and ability to make significant downfield catches, showcasing impressive yards per completion and a high average depth of target.
• While Burton’s touchdown production and market share percentage are promising, his path to superstardom in fantasy football seems uncertain but suggests he could be a valuable mid-round selection.
• Quote: > “This is an Alabama wide receiver who played two years at Georgia, then went to Alabama. Is this a dot huge yards per completion guy? He won’t… I don’t see a pathway.”

Evaluating Brock Bowers’ Potential 58:16

• Despite being heralded as the best tight end prospect in his draft class, Brock Bowers faces skepticism due to historical data showing limited fantasy impact from rookie tight ends.
• Recognized as an exceptional talent, Bowers’ potential to deliver significant fantasy success is weighed against the historical challenges faced by rookie tight ends in their first year.
• Quote: > “I think Brock Bowers is an exceptional talent, clearly the best tight end in this draft class… Brock Bowers is absolutely sensational.”

Evaluating the Potential of Tight End Draft Picks 01:00:51

• Consistency in elite tight ends like Travis Kelsey and Antonio Gates is highly valuable and hard to replace in a team.
• Not all highly touted tight end prospects in drafts end up being fantasy difference-makers; history shows a mixed hit rate.
• The focus on high hit rates prompts careful consideration when selecting tight ends over other positions like wide receivers with potentially higher success rates.

“But my point is only in the hit rate of all these prospects…It’s every single year.”

Assessing the Impact of Drafting Tight Ends 01:01:31

• Highlighting the significance of selecting a tight end in a draft who has the potential to become a game-changer like Travis Kelsey.
• Discussing the strategic decision-making process in dynasty leagues and the long-term implications of choosing difference-making tight ends versus other positions.

“Which tight end from this year’s draft has the best chance to potentially be the next Kelsey?”

Comparing Tight End and Wide Receiver Draft Hits and Misses 01:02:23

• Illustrating the contrasting success rates between first-round wide receivers and tight ends, emphasizing the higher risk associated with tight end selections.
• Mentioning notable wide receiver and tight end draft successes and failures to support the argument for cautious consideration when drafting tight ends early.

“There’s piles of first-round wide receivers that don’t do stuff…But there’s a billion successes at wide receiver tight ends.”

Individual Assessment of Tight End Prospects like Brock Bowers 01:03:34

• Emphasizing the importance of evaluating tight end prospects based on their individual talent, landing spot, and potential rather than historical trends.
• Arguing for a case-by-case analysis of tight end prospects like Brock Bowers, focusing on their unique abilities and circumstances rather than broad historical data.

“But Brock Bowers is his own thing…if he lands in the right place.”

Strategic Draft Decisions between Tight Ends and Other Positions 01:06:32

• Deliberating on the decision-making process when faced with choosing between top-tier tight ends and other positions like wide receivers or quarterbacks in fantasy drafts.
• Underlining the importance of individual player evaluation and situational analysis rather than solely relying on historical trends when drafting potential game-changing players.

“Would you rather have Brock Bowers or Caleb Williams?”

Conclusion and Future Episodes 01:08:27

• The episode wraps up with gratitude towards the audience for tuning in to the Fantasy Footballers podcast.
• The hosts express their intention to return very soon, leaving the listeners with a cheerful farewell.
• A reminder is given to engage further with the Fantasy Football community and follow the hosts on Twitter for more updates.

“But that’ll do it for today’s episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Thank you for joining us. We’ll be back very very soon. Goodbye. Goodbye.”