Corey Coleman’s supreme athleticism could lead to some big games in Weeks 9-11

The 2016 fantasy football season is upon us. With that, comes the onset of the zero running back draft strategy.

Wide receivers are being selected early and often this year as the fear of volatility at running back consumes us all. While the first few rounds are seeing wide receivers flying off the board at an unprecedented rate, depth at the position is perhaps greater than ever.

As a result, not only are owners able to find bye week replacements, but also potential diamonds in the rough. Look no further than last season, where Michael Crabtree came out of nowhere and finished as the 17th best wide receiver in PPR leagues. Before the season, Crabtree was being drafted after the 12th round as a high-upside bye week replacement.

For all the talk about sleeper running backs, such as David Johnson last season, wide receivers offer similar upside at an affordable cost. So if you’re spending a high pick on a player such as Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham or DeAndre Hopkins, you have an opportunity to draft potential bye week replacements that could ultimately find themselves in your starting lineups on a weekly basis. Here are three wide receivers I am targeting later in drafts that have advantageous matchups when the big boys are on bye.

Start preparing for your draft now with our NFL Draft Simulator

Kamar Aiken (BAL) 

When it comes to players getting little fanfare, Aiken might be in the best situation to outproduce his ADP and serve as a perfect compliment during these players’ bye week. The presence of Josh Norman and Joe Haden on the list of opponents surely causes hesitation. The Redskins face the Ravens Week 5 however. Steve Smith likely will be fully recovered and draw the prized acquisition of free agency on defense.

The Redskins, Steelers and Browns all allowed over 4,000 passing yards last season. As for the Cowboys, while they only gave up the fifth fewest passing yards last season, they allowed 7.6 yards per pass attempt and opposing quarterbacks completed 65.2% of their passes. That’s bad.

As for the Ravens, and offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, they throw the ball. A lot. That’s good.

Aiken is also available past the 10th round. Given the uncertainty among Ravens receivers, Aiken has the opportunity to emerge as the top receiver again in Trestman’s offense. Breshad Perriman cannot stay healthy.

Smith Sr. is 37 years old. Not only does Aiken have opportunity, but he has upside as well. NFL.com’s Matt Harmon gives reasons why Aiken could build on his breakout finish to the 2015 season.

Rishard Matthews (TEN)

The Titans have a young receiving corps in place. Unfortunately, the fantasy community seemingly has eyes only for Dorial Green-Beckham.

Matthews signed with the Titans in the offseason and expects to produce out of the gates. Matthews was on pace for 1,000 yards receiving through the first 10 games prior to injuring his ribs Week 12 against the Jets.

Matthews, and fellow teammate Kendall Wright, are at bargain basement prices on Draft Day. Despite the addition of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry at running back, Marcus Mariota will need all the help he can muster in the passing game. The Titans’ defense has ranked near the bottom of the NFL the past two years in points allowed.

As great as a steady ground game seems, if the Titans are surrendering touchdowns on defense, they’ll need to stretch the field and score points in droves. Last season, in Mariota’s lone game against the Colts, he threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns.

As a bye week replacement for many projected top-tier wide receivers, two matchups against the Colts could boost the stock of Matthews as a bench stash. Given his current ADP, there’s little to no harm in drafting him and hoping for a continued, albeit delayed, breakout from the 26-year-old wide receiver.

Corey Coleman (CLE) 

I can understand trepidation when it comes to the Browns and their skill position players. Even more so, I can understand why taking a rookie wide receiver in Cleveland’s offense would create cold sweats at night. Having said that, Coleman immediately steps in as the main target in the Browns’ passing game, supplanting even tight end Gary Barnidge.

While Coleman did not have an expanded route tree during his tenure at Baylor, he excelled with superior athleticism and elite speed. There are going to be bumps and bruises along the way with Coleman. There are also going to be times where he explodes for mammoth fantasy outputs.

The Steelers and Cowboys allowed 29 passing plays last season of 25 or more yards. The Ravens allowed 30 of these big plays in the passing game.

Last season, the Ravens repeatedly were burned by speedy wide receivers. Whether it was Travis Benjamin, Tyler Lockett in Seattle or Torrey Smith in San Francisco, they all produced games where they tallied over 90 yards receiving and a touchdown.

The Steelers weren’t any better last season. Kenny Britt, John Brown and even Benjamin again tormented the mediocre secondaries in the AFC North. As for the Cowboys, it’s painfully clear that their defense will be subjected to abuse again and again as they won’t be at full strength until past Week 10.

When a potential No. 1 receiver on an offense is available as late as Coleman currently is in fantasy drafts, all you have is upside. I’m buying Coleman’s upside across the board in 2016.

• 2016 QB Bye Week Options
• 2016 RB Bye Week Options
• 2016 TE Bye Week Options

Check out undervalued fantasy players

Matt Giraldi is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Matt, check out his archive or follow him@Mgiraldi.