TE RANKINGS 1-15
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............9
Shorts is at a bit of a fantasy crossroads just two seasons removed from his breakout fantasy campaign. The former Jaguars receiver has had a steady decline in each of the past two years, scoring double-digit fantasy points just once in 2014. Now Shorts finds himself in a young, athletic receiving corps in Houston, competing with DeAndre Hopkins and rookie Jaelen Strong. It will take a solid preseason performance to help Shorts stand out from the rest of his group. If he can't return to his 2012 form, Shorts might see his fantasy draft value evaporate completely.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............8
Lee was one of a trio of rookie receivers expected to make an impact for the Jaguars in 2014. That impact turned out to be minimal, as both Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns finished the season with better numbers. There is optimism that Lee is headed for better things after a quality finish to the season, although he is likely to find himself in a stiff training camp competition. There is plenty of potential for growth in a young and intriguing Jacksonville passing game, but fantasy enthusiasts would be wise not to overvalue a player still learning to contribute at the professional level.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............8
There are plenty of mouths to feed in the Eagles offense, but if there's any offense that can accomplish that this is probably the one. Huff wasn't a big part of Philadelphia's passing attack last season, catching just eight passes for 98 yards. But with Jeremy Maclin now in Kansas City, Huff should compete with rookie Nelson Agholor for snaps and targets in Chip Kelly's high-octane attack. Keep an eye on this training camp battle as it should have fantasy implications.
Auction...............$2
Bye Week.............7
Latimer's fantasy value is based less on what happened in 2014 and more about what could happen in 2015. Neither Wes Welker nor Julius Thomas are around to take targets, which creates an opening for Latimer to step in and make an impact. There's little doubt that playing wide receiver on a Peyton Manning-led team is a pretty good gig. Even if Manning isn't the same quarterback he was earlier in his career, there's still every reason to be confident that he will still spread the ball around. Look for Latimer to be more of an impact player this season.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............4
Green-Beckham was one of the many offensive pieces the Titans added in the NFL Draft. Off-field issues caused him to slip, but few doubt that he has the physical tools to succeed in the league. He now enters a receiving corps that has Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter, Hakeem Nicks and Harry Douglas, meaning he'll have to work to earn his targets. Overall, Tennessee's offense could experience growing pains with Marcus Mariota under center. Green-Beckham projects as a long-term option with greater value in dynasty leagues.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............11
Randle's production in 2014 was somewhat a function of circumstance. After Victor Cruz was lost for the season, the Giants began to look Randle's way more frequently. Of course, Randle was destined to be overshadowed by Odell Beckham, Jr., but he still posted quality numbers nonetheless. Much of Randle's 2015 fortunes hinge on Cruz's recovery and how much the veteran receiver is re-integrated into Big Blue's offense. That alone should make Randle worth taking a late round flier on. If Cruz can't regain his previous form right away, Randle will have some early season sleeper value.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............6
Since Austin entered the league in 2013, there has been much hoopla about all the things he can do on a football field. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we've seen much of it through his first two NFL seasons. The Rams receiving corps is ... well, not exactly deep. But there are a lot of them. Until Austin actually shows us something on a consistent basis, it's hard to advocate taking a chance on him as anything more than a waiver wire option.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............6
It's been difficult to solve the Rubik's Cube that has been the Rams receiving corps in recent seasons. For at least a short time last season, Quick made that task slightly easier. With most observers waiting for Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey or Austin Pettis to emerge, it was Quick that jumped out as the St. Louis receiver to have on your fantasy roster. That came to an end when he was placed on injured reserve after a dislocated shoulder. Quick should be ready for the start of the 2015 season, but with Sam Bradford expected to resume his duties as the Rams' starting quarterback it could be a situation where we are once again waiting to see which receiver takes the lead.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............4
Much like Kendall Wright, there was hope that Justin Hunter could have a sleeper campaign in 2014. And much like Wright, Hunter failed to live up to those hopes in a meager Titans offense. The first step to Tennessee's passing game improving would be to find an upgrade at the quarterback position. Until that time, both Wright and Hunter could be a pair of talented wide receivers who leave us waiting to see if they can ever reach their full potential.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............5
Jennings has been a productive receiver for a long time, but that run of abundance is likely almost over. The veteran has seen his numbers fall in each of his last two full seasons and posted career-lows in receptions and yards for a 16-game campaign. If there's any upside, it's that the Vikings don't have a bona fide No. 1 receiver. However, there's little reason to think Jennings is going to reprise that role in his remaining seasons. Jennings greatest appeal will be in deep leagues. Beyond that, the Vikings veteran will be viewed mostly as a waiver wire option in 2015.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............11
After consecutive seasons with 70-plus catches and 1,000-plus yards, Hartline suffered a dramatic decline in production in 2015. After six seasons in Miami, the veteran wideout has a new home but his outlook remains fairly static. Hartline is a nice role player in any NFL offense, but it's hard to imagine him seeing enough targets to be an impactful fantasy pickup. A player who has never scored more than four touchdowns in a season isn't going to be extremely coveted in drafts, btu Hartline could be a name worth remembering on the waiver wire when the appropriate time comes.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............6
Beasley started to become more of a fantasy factor in the second half of the season -- a rise that coincided with Terrance Williams' disappearance in the Cowboys offense. It's not likely that Beasley is going to earn the role as Dallas' No. 2 wideout option alongside Dez Bryant, but as a slot receiver there is a chance for the diminutive pass-catcher to make a little hay. If you're in the market for a fifth receiver late in your draft, consider taking a chance on Beasley.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............11
For a second straight season, Marques Colston closed a campaign with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards. The veteran hasn't been phased out of New Orleans' passing game, but he's certainly not as integral a part of it as he once was. With Brandin Cooks earning a larger share of the targets and the Saints gearing up to run the football more in 2015, Colston's numbers could take an even larger hit. If you decide to draft the veteran, be aware that his production isn't likely to mirror what it has been in the past.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............11
Andrew Hawkins was thrust into the spotlight last season due to a suspension to Josh Gordon combined with injuries and underperformance in the Browns pass-catching group. Under the circumstance, the fourth-year pro did pretty well. Now with Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline in Cleveland, Hawkins may have to battle for the same number of targets in 2015. The good news is that with an underwhelming wide receiver corps, there is certainly a chance for Hawkins to earn some opportunities.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............5
Count Wright among the receivers who benefitted from Cordarrelle Patterson's failings in 2014. The third year wideout showed flashes throughout the season, but started to become a bigger part of Minnesota's passing game later in the season. As the Vikings continue their quest to find a true No. 1 receiver, you can expect Wright to be a part of some fierce training camp battles. If he can earn more snaps during the regular season, there's a chance for Wright to have some life on fantasy rosters in plenty of leagues.
Auction...............$1
Bye Week.............11
The Saints offense might not be what it once was, but it still boasts one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League. With Drew Brees slinging the rock, any of his pass-catchers will have a chance to produce. That includes the talented, but under-utilized Toon. with Jimmy Graham (Seahawks) and Kenny Stills (Dolphins) in new locations, there should be more targets available in the offense. Don't look for Toon to be drafted in too many fantasy leagues this season, but if he gets off to a quick start, the Wisconsin product should be a hot waiver wire commodity.
TE RANKINGS 1-15
