WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot
    Who Is Connor Lewis?

    Who Is Connor Lewis? Get To Know The Packers’ Assistant Quarterbacks Coach

    February 3, 2023
    Bucks fans react to the news that Kyrie Irving has requested a trade.

    Bucks Fans React to Kyrie Irving Trade Request

    February 3, 2023
    Devonte Wyatt, Packers

    From which college have the Green Bay Packers drafted the most players in the last 10 years?

    February 3, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Who Is Connor Lewis? Get To Know The Packers’ Assistant Quarterbacks Coach
    • Bucks Fans React to Kyrie Irving Trade Request
    • From which college have the Green Bay Packers drafted the most players in the last 10 years?
    • Who Is Ben Sirmans? Get To Know The Packers’ Running Backs Coach
    • Who Is John Dunn? Get To Know The Packers’ Tight End Coach
    • Aaron Rodgers: Proposed Trade Exchanges Quarterback for Former First Round Wide Receiver
    • Should The Packers Pursue A Trade for Bengals’ Tee Higgins?
    • Giannis Antetokounmpo Wants More After Tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 50-Point Feat
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Mark Mayfield
    • Our Writers
    • Store
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics
    SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
    • Packers
      • Aaron Rodgers News
      • Packers News
      • Packers Rumors
      • Packers History
    • Bucks
      • Giannis Antetokounmpo News
      • Bucks News
      • Bucks Rumors
    • Brewers
      • Brewers News
      • Brewers Rumors
    • Badgers
      • Wisconsin Badgers Football
      • Wisconsin Badgers Basketball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Basketball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Volleyball
      • Wisconsin Badgers Hockey
      • Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling
    • Marquette
      • Marquette Basketball
    • Draft
      • 2023 NFL Draft Big Board & Scouting Reports
      • 2023 NFL Mock Drafts
    • Milkmen
      • Milwaukee Milkmen News
      • Milwaukee Milkmen Rumors
    • Podcasts
      • CheeseDads Sports
      • Packers Podcast
      • Wickett On Wisconsin
    • Fantasy
    • NFL
    WI Sports HeroicsWI Sports Heroics
    Home»Sports»Fantasy Sports»Fantasy High Rizer Series: Wide Receiver
    Fantasy Sports

    Fantasy High Rizer Series: Wide Receiver

    Lance PedersenBy Lance PedersenAugust 5, 2021Updated:October 13, 2022No Comments7 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    f11
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Here’s a scenario nearly every dynasty fantasy football owner goes through: The season has ended and you’re looking to scratch an itch by trading for a player you love. Player X is your target, but you think he’ll be too expensive since he ended the year high in the rankings. You click on the player’s profile, and shockingly, they finished well below where you thought. So, you offer a trade in line with the value. The other owner says not even close. Really? For a guy who’s good, but was an average fantasy player? Uggghhh.

    Folks, this is literally Terry McLaurin. A player who seems to be one of the more coveted assets out there, yet doesn’t have that impressive of a resume. 

    Either way, the man we call F1 is my wide receiver pick for the High Rizer Series for the 2021 fantasy football season. If you missed who my picks were for quarterback and running back, check those out as well.

    High Rizer Series

    I will be discussing one player at each position who finished outside the range of an 1/2 (Top 24) at their position in 2020 that are candidates to potentially finish Top 12 (Number 1 rank).

    For consistency, I will be using fantasypros.com‘s half-point PPR finishes for 2020, along with current 2021 ADP (average draft position) information from thefantasyfootballadvice.com. 

    Wide Receiver High Rizer – Terry McLaurin

    f1
    Believe it or not, Terry McLaurin has not finished better than WR21 in half-point PPR leagues over his first two NFL seasons. Can he put all that untapped potential together to finish as a top flight wide receiver in 2021?

    So I’m going to have to clarify. Once again, I kind of cheated. I really need to stop, I know. It’s a bad habit.

    According to Fantasy Pros, McLaurin finished 2020 ranked number 21 in half-point PPR leagues. Similar to my running back pick though, I’m including my home town’s dynasty league, where he finished as WR25 according to our scoring system. Plus, he was ranked 23 in standard scoring (non-PPR).

    Combine all that, and you have a back end WR2 who you’d swear finished better than that.

    Maybe you’re assuming McLaurin simply had a down year in 2020. He must have fared better in his rookie season, right? He put up some solid numbers with 58 catches, 919 yards and 7 touchdowns. But that was only good enough for a WR27 finish in half-point PPR leagues.

    There’s always been a positive narrative surrounding F1, but his fantasy finishes have left owners a bit disappointed. 

    The kicker is, it hasn’t impacted where he’s being drafted heading into the 2021 campaign. Even though he’s finished ranked 27 and 21 in his first two years, his current ADP is wide receiver 10.

    Why? Well, it’s all about upside. 

    2020 Recap

    There are certain wide receivers who transcend their quarterback situation. As in, they succeed despite having a lackluster pass thrower. McLaurin has done his best to fall into that category.

    His rookie season in 2019 saw none other than Dwayne Haskins and Case Keenum chuck him the rock. These two combined for 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Haskins averaged less than six air yards per attempt. If we know anything about McLaurin, it’s that he is a vertical threat. 

    Fast forward to 2020. A new coaching staff brought in a ton of new players, including the quarterback room. Four different QBs played throughout the season – Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Haskins and Taylor Heinicke.

    As much as Smith’s story was great, and the fact that he led Washington to the playoffs, it was a hindrance for McLaurin’s fantasy football profile. 

    Out of Smith’s 168 completions, he averaged 3.7 air yards. Think about that. It’s no wonder why JD McKissic finished second among running backs in receptions with 80. F1 went from a 13.8 yard average depth of target (aDOT) in 2019 to under 9.9 in 2020. The vertical threat he poses to defenses was essentially nil, based on his quarterback.

    McLaurin has had five quarterbacks, two offensive coordinators and two head coaches in his first two years in the league.

    To put a cherry on top, recently the speedster admitted to playing last season hurt. He missed just one game total, but told Jim Rome in an interview that he dealt with two ankle sprains.

    Again, throw all of this information into a bowl, mix it around, and you still have a WR21 finish in half-point PPR leagues. Impressive.

    What makes it even more salivating is what Washington did at the quarterback position during the 2021 offseason.

    2021 Outlook

    Although I just mentioned that some wide outs transcend quarterbacks, it always helps when they don’t have to. It looks like that might be the case for McLaurin in 2021.

    The seasoned vet Ryan Fitzpatrick has been tasked to lead Washington’s offense. It’s a sight for sore eyes for McLaurin, and really that entire offense.

    Sure, “Fitz-magic” is bound to have dud games and turnovers at inopportune times, but there will also be instances where Washington’s offense looks like a fantasy owner’s dream. 

    Fitzpatrick is frequently in the Top 15 in aDOT – with the exception of 2020. In his last full season in 2019, he was 12th in deep ball attempts and 11th in aDOT. We’ve also seen him support alpha wideouts and target them frequently, including players like Stevie Johnson in Buffalo, Brandon Marshall in New York, Mike Evans in Tampa Bay, and most recently Devante Parker in Miami. 

    I know this isn’t a Ryan Fitzpatrick High Rizer article. But still, the information is necessary when it comes to F1. He now has a guy who will take chances, use his best wide receiver, and look vertical. 

    Terry McLaurin’s rookie season highlight reel is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/watHgXSJSb

    — PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) June 29, 2021

    The addition of free agent Curtis Samuel, rookie slot receiver Dyami Brown, as well as the development of second year running back Antonio Gibson should not hinder McLaurin’s output. Instead, the offense will likely get more red zone opportunities. McLaurin had just 9 red zone catches in 2020, ranking him number 42 overall, according to NFLsavant.com. 

    What 2021 will bring McLaurin and the rest of the Washington offense is potential. All fantasy owners ask for is opportunity, and that’s what is coming his way.

    Where to Draft McLaurin

    As mentioned before, F1 is being taken as the wide receiver 10 overall, and his draft position is around the beginning to middle of the third round.

    In redraft, I’d be wishing for a Top 3 pick. You can take care of your running backs right away. Say you pair up Dalvin Cook and then Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the snake around. Your spot comes right back up in the beginning of the third round. You should have a wide receiver like McLaurin staring at you in the face. Nobody would bat an eye if you picked him there. It’s a bit of a price to pay for a guy who hasn’t ever finished in the Top 20, but the upside is hard to pass up.

    In terms of dynasty, McLaurin is 25 years old and in his third season on a rookie deal. It’s important for dynasty owners to keep track of the quarterback situation in Washington. Fitzpatrick is likely a one year layover until they find a replacement.

    McLaurin will have a successful career no matter who is behind center, but having a complimentary quarterback will allow him to reach his upside.

    In dynasty startups, he’s actually going around the third or fourth wide receiver and about 16 overall (pick 2.04). 

    The summation of the story is this: Terry McLaurin has not finished better than WR21 in his two year career, yet is being drafted as if he were going to bust out in year three. You will have to pay a premium to get him, and I say, it’ll be worth it.

    Fantasy Finish Prediction for Terry McLaurin: Wide Receiver #6

    EVEN MORE?

    For more great content follow me on Twitter at @lilpeds and follow us at @Wisportsheroics!  To keep up with everything in Wisconsin sports, including my Dynasty takes, click here.

    Check out our shop for new merchandise! Use promo code “WISCO” at checkout for $1 off! To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here.

    adot adp Alex Smith Antonio Gibson Case Keenum Curtis Samuel Dwayne Haskins Dyami Brown F1 Fantasy Football fantasy football draft JD McKissick Jim Rome Kyle Allen Ryan Fitzpatrick Terry McLaurin Washington Football Team
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Lance Pedersen
    • Twitter

    Related Posts

    Bucks All-Star Making Progress with Injury Recovery

    January 11, 2023
    packers vs commanders

    Green Bay Packers Week 7 Opponent, Odds, News, Predictions

    October 19, 2022
    Giants Packers: London

    Three Packers Listed As Questionable In London

    October 7, 2022
    Packers wide receivers

    Packers Wide Receiver Becoming A Hot FA Item In Fantasy Football

    October 3, 2022
    Add A Comment

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    TRENDING
    Who Is Connor Lewis?

    Who Is Connor Lewis? Get To Know The Packers’ Assistant Quarterbacks Coach

    February 3, 2023
    Bucks fans react to the news that Kyrie Irving has requested a trade.

    Bucks Fans React to Kyrie Irving Trade Request

    February 3, 2023
    Devonte Wyatt, Packers

    From which college have the Green Bay Packers drafted the most players in the last 10 years?

    February 3, 2023
    Who is Ben Sirmans?

    Who Is Ben Sirmans? Get To Know The Packers’ Running Backs Coach

    February 3, 2023
    Who is John Dunn?

    Who Is John Dunn? Get To Know The Packers’ Tight End Coach

    February 3, 2023
    Proposed trade sends Aaron Rodgers to 49ers

    Aaron Rodgers: Proposed Trade Exchanges Quarterback for Former First Round Wide Receiver

    February 3, 2023
    WI Sports Heroics
    Facebook Twitter
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisement
    • Privacy Policy
    • Store
    © 2023 WISportsHeroics All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.