The wide receiver position continues to be more stacked than ever in fantasy football. Despite the mass influx of emerging wideouts, some players tend to be hyped and overvalued based on their average draft position (ADP).
It is an indicator that helps fantasy drafters see the fantasy value of players and locate at which point do they usually come off the draft boards. Providing justification to these players' ADP will help drafters make sound decisions and select the overvalued players in the right round.
Let's dive into the top five overvalued fantasy football wide receivers based on their ADP in 2020:
5. A.J. Green
ADP: No. 65 overall, WR28
A.J. Green can be as good as any other marquee wideout in the league in his prime. However, he is already years removed from the good old days of his career. The 32-year-old player has seen a regression in his numbers in recent seasons owing to several injuries. Torn ligaments in his ankle also barred him from playing the entire 2019 season.
His 2018 numbers didn't look good as well as he accounted for 46 receptions for 694 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. His dismal performance through nine games played eventually ended his Pro Bowl streak at seven seasons.
There is no doubt that every football fan still hopes to see the old A.J. Green back on the gridiron. However, his last full season dated back to the 2016 season and still remains to be a risky choice today. I would rather select a healthier and more productive wideout at this stage of the draft.
4. T.Y. Hilton
ADP: No. 63 overall, WR27
Indianapolis Colts wideout T.Y. Hilton had an impressive run from 2013-16. He followed it up with another productive campaign in 2018. However, things went downhill for Hilton last season. The former FIU Panther concluded his 2019 campaign with 45 receptions for 501 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He was also limited by a hamstring injury, which forced him to miss six games last season.
Hilton has been one of the Colts' greatest and most productive receivers of all time, especially in the modern era. However, his advancing age along with his tendency to regularly appear on injury reports does not bode well for the nine-year veteran. Add rookie wideout Michael Pittman Jr. and first-year running back Jonathan Taylor to the players who will certainly share touches with him in the upcoming season. Hilton's situation may have overvalued him to be the 27th wide receiver to come off the boards in fantasy football.
3. A.J. Brown
ADP: No. 33 overall, WR12
Another A.J. made it to the list this time in Tennessee Titans sophomore wideout A.J. Brown. The former Ole Miss Rebel instantly became a huge piece in the Titans' offense in his rookie season. He recorded a total of 52 receptions for 1,051 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns en route to a PFWA All-Rookie selection.
However, the entire Titans team is expected to be a bust in the upcoming season. They are not poised to repeat or exceed their Cinderella run, which saw them topple contenders New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in the 2019-20 NFL playoffs.
Brown also averaged a whopping 8.9 yards after the catch last year, a number that is far from being repeatable. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill's 7.7 percent touchdown rate will most likely see a regression as well, which will affect Brown's production next season. A sophomore slump might even be on the horizon for Brown, which forces drafters to think of other veteran options to select this early in the draft.
2. Odell Beckham Jr.
ADP: No. 28 overall, WR10
Odell Beckham Jr. disappointed in his first campaign with the Cleveland Browns last season. He finished with for 1,035 receiving yards on 74 receptions and four touchdowns through 16 games played. Many NFL wideouts dream of having this stat line but these numbers are already dismal for Beckham's standards. Nursing a sports hernia injury throughout last season could've also factored in his decreased level of play.
We have yet to see if Beckham and Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will have better chemistry in the coming season. Newly acquired head coach Kevin Stefanski could implement more ground attacks based on his previous stint with the Minnesota Vikings, which is not a good sign for the three-time Pro Bowler.
Beckham is still the mega-star that everyone knows of but the uncertainty surrounding him in the upcoming season can encourage drafters to take a second look before drafting him high at WR10.
1. Amari Cooper
ADP: No. 27 overall, WR9
Dallas Cowboys wideout Amari Cooper earned the top spot in this list because of him having the breakout season of his six-year career in 2019. He tallied a career-high 1,189 receiving yards on 79 receptions and eight scored touchdowns through 16 games. You may argue that it is a no-brainer to draft him high in this year's fantasy draft given his excellent performance last season.
However, Cooper was an on-and-off player in 2019. He has yet to find consistency and tends to fade week in and week out, which will be a pain for his drafters. The arrival of another weapon in rookie speedster CeeDee Lamb will also affect his play and decrease his touches next season. He may have already reached his ceiling and is unlikely to surpass his tally last season given the tight competition in Dallas. Drafting the former Alabama Crimson Tide this high may already be too costly for fantasy football competitors.
Follow Us
Subscribe