Let me paint a picture for you. It’s a crisp Sunday morning in early October. The sun is shining through the window as you sip your warm coffee. The only thing on your mind for the day is what you’ll be having for lunch. Not a worry in the world. Relaxing and stress-free. The life.
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Unfortunately for those reading this article, it is not our life. We wake up Sunday mornings frantically pacing back and forth. Pulling our hair out, tilting at the start/sit decisions we face for fantasy football. We have important matchups on the line. One bad move could cost us everything. Ruining the entire week until we must do it all over again seven days later.
Worry not my fellow reader, as this article is here to alleviate some of that stress. Here are two wide receivers to avoid on draft day.
Since joining the league in 2015, it has been a series of boom or bust games for Amari Cooper. Of the 15 games he played last season, Cooper failed to reach double-digit fantasy points in six of them. While he can win a week, he is also responsible for several losses. Finishing as a WR1 just once in his seven-year career back in 2019, Cooper finds himself on a new team for the upcoming season. A team that may be forced to start Jacoby Brissett at QB for the foreseeable future. Yikes.
To make matters worse, Cooper is going from a Dallas Cowboys team that ranked sixth in passing attempts, second in passing yards, and third in passing touchdowns, to a Cleveland Browns team that ranked 28th, 27th, and 20th in those respective categories. Furthermore, even on a top passing team last season, Cooper finished as just the WR27. Now, on a team that relied heavily on the running game just a season ago, it appears Cleveland may have to do the same in 2022.
I acknowledge the fact that there were more playmakers on the Cowboys and more pass-catching threats than there will be in Cleveland. However, if Deshaun Watson gets any suspension, it is a massive downgrade at the quarterback position. This will significantly hurt Cooper and I want no part of that. The headache just isn’t worth it every week. Currently going as the WR24, I’d much rather take guys like Courtland Sutton (WR25), Allen Robinson (WR30) and Elijah Moore (WR34) over him. Call me crazy but I am firmly on the “do not draft” Cooper train.
I know. Insane, right? Maybe. Especially after the season he was putting together last year. Yes, Chris Godwin plays on a high-powered offense with the greatest quarterback to ever walk the face of the planet. Yes, Godwin finished as the WR7 on a points-per-game basis in 2021. And yes, Godwin was the WR5 before going down with an injury in week 15. But that’s just it. Injury. Let’s pump the breaks a bit as we take a closer look.
His injury happened late in the season. On December 19th, 2021, Godwin went down with a horrific-looking knee injury. Not only did he tear his ACL, but also his MCL. A late-season serious injury never bodes well for making a timely return to the football field. Doctor of physical therapy Edwin Porras lays it out best:
Godwin:
3/4 pic.twitter.com/u7KVe64q4N— Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) June 14, 2022
The absolute earliest Godwin could return with minimal risk is Week 5. And that is on the optimistic side. Looking at the situation through a worst-case scenario lens, we may not see him until week 11. Unfortunately for fantasy managers taking the risk on Godwin, Tampa Bay’s bye week is week 11. Therefore, the team may elect to keep him out of action until Week 12 and save him for a potential playoff run. By this time in the season, your fantasy team may already be out of playoff contention. Don’t waste a roster spot holding onto the hope Godwin has an early return. Pivot to a player who will without a doubt see the field and score points. Leave Godwin on the “do not draft” list.
Honorable Mention: Kenny Golladay (WR – NYG)
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