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From Corey Coleman to the Bengals' own Tyler Body, there were seven wide receivers drafted in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. What can we expect from them in 2016 from a fantasy football perspective?
Corey Coleman, Browns
The Browns did their drafting at Costco, coming away with fifteen picks, including five wide receivers. The most notable of the wide receivers, and the first pick for the Browns was Corey Coleman. With his ability to make plays on a team devoid of playmakers, Coleman should be the unquestioned leader in targets for the Browns in 2016, although the veteran presence of Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins, and total lack of a quality quarterback, will limit his overall production. If you trust RGIII to reliably get the ball to Coleman, the former Baylor wide receiver could be a solid pick in the mid rounds as a WR3 for your team, with WR2 potential.
FFL Status: Round 6~7
Will Fuller, Texans
After drafting a pair of wide receivers last year, the Texans followed up with another pair of wide receivers in 2016. And all this is in addition to already have DeAndre Hopkins consuming the lion’s share of the targets in Houston. Thanks to his speed, Fuller could emerge as the top option in a young and potentially crowded set of competitors for the passes not thrown to Hopkins. In his rookie season, he seems destined to be a boom-or-bust fantasy producer from week to week. If you draft him as a WR4, the trick will be to correctly guess the weeks he gets his big touchdown passes, and which weeks he produces nothing.
Status: Round 10+
Josh Doctson, Redskins
With Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson both set to become free agents after the 2016 season, Doctson could be in for a huge second year as Kirk Cousins' top option in the passing game. Unfortunately, in his rookie season, he will have to split his workload with Jackson, Garcon, and tight end Jordan Reed. In his first year it will be hard to view him as more than a WR4 due to the established pass catchers ahead of him on the depth chart.
Status: Round 10+
Laquon Treadwell, Vikings
Treadwell is young and talented, but the Vikings offense could limit his production. The team’s offense still revolves around Adrian Peterson, with the passing game as a secondary option. Bridgewater has failed to become more than a game manager in his two seasons in Minnesota, completing only 14 touchdown passes in each of his two seasons, and barely averaging 200 yards per game last year. While Stefon Diggs and Jarius Wright aren’t exactly A.J. Green and Marvin Jones, they are solid enough to get their share of targets in the Vikings minimalistic passing game. Unless Bridgewater breaks loose in year three, Treadwell could be nothing more than a WR4 with WR3 upside in his rookie season.
Status: Round 8~12
Sterling Shepard, Giants
Shepard is a very good receiver, and joining a team who likes to throw. These are all positives, as is having elite Odell Beckham drawing the opponent's top cover corner. But, of course, being Beckham's teammate also means losing out on a lot of looks in the passing game. Also working against Shepard is the healthy return of Victor Cruz. Shepard projects to be the third receiver on a team with a good passing game. That should make him a WR4 in fantasy football.
Status:Round 10+
Michael Thomas, Saints
Despite being the sixth wide receiver drafted, Thomas could potentially be a bigger producer in year one over the players drafted ahead of him. If he can pass Brandon Coleman and Willie Snead on the depth chart, and team up with Brandin Cooks on the starting roster, Thomas could be the beneficiary of the Saints' productive passing game, making him a good WR3.
Status: Round 5~9
Tyler Boyd, Bengals
Along with Michael Thomas, Boyd lands lands in perhaps one of the best situations among the wide receivers drafted in the first couple of rounds in 2016. A.J. Green will remain the top option in the passing game, but Boyd could push Brandon LaFell for the second most targets among receivers. At worst, Boyd could put up Sanu type numbers in year one, but could be closer to Marvin Jones' type of production if he can unseat LaFell. He is a WR4, but has the upside of a good WR3.
Status:Round 8~12