Playing the Slots: Outlooks for Slot Receivers in 2018 – NFC East

Slot receivers often go overlooked until it’s too late in the season to really utilize their potential. In this NFC East installment, I take a look at the prospects of the starting middle men for your fantasy consideration…

 

Allen Hurns/Cole Beasley, Cowboys: Dallas’ receiving corps is an enigma right now, but it looks like Hurns is emerging as the de facto No.1 from spring training. He led his former team, the Jaguars, in plays out of the slot so it makes sense that he would get a lot of action there in Dallas – especially since TE Jason Witten is no longer around. Beasley was a non-factor last season, catching just 36 passes for 314 yards as the arguable No.2 option. His supposed replacement, Ryan Switzer, was traded to the Raiders this offseason though, so maybe there’s still a use for Beasley in the offense. Or maybe Hurns, Terrance Williams and rookie Michael Gallup will round out the starting three – I’m not convinced Beasley is the same player since injuring his hamstring over a year ago. Hurns is the much better bet for fantasy, and you’re going to be able to draft him late.

 

Sterling Shepard, Giants: Shepard was in line for a major season in 2017, as both ODB and Brandon Marshall were lost in week 5, but he was sidelined by multiple injuries and never got his motor running. ODB is back(hopefully), but Sterling is the clear second option at receiver. There is even a slight chance ODB holds out to start the season, so Shepard could be in for even more work. Those chances are indeed slim though, so it is most likely he stays where he is, which isn’t a bad place to be if Eli Manning can keep his head in the game. TE/WR hybrid Evan Engram and RB rookie Saquon Barkley will of course be in the mix for targets as well, but in a competitive NFC East division on a revitalized Giants squad, Sterling is worth snagging after the tenth round in most drafts.

 

Nelson Agholor, Eagles: Last season, Agholor finally showed the talent and fire that we knew he had in him 3 years ago, racking up 8 TDs and 768 yards on 62 receptions in a Super Bowl winning campaign for the Eagles – He actually led all Philly WRs in catches. His option picked up in May, Agholor is slated for the No.2 role behind Alshon Jeffrey again this season, and if history is any indicator, Jeffrey is more likely to miss games than not. New add Mike Wallace is going to get looks too, as the replacement for deep man Torrey Smith, and Mack Hollins is working his way to more playing time, but Agholor is a good bet to hover around the same numbers as last season.

 

Jamison Crowder, Redskins: Crowder’s 2017 season was a letdown by most accounts, considering he was arguably the top option on a Kirk Cousins led offense. Cousins is no longer under center in Washington, but Crowder is healthier than ever, he was nagged by hamstring issues throughout the season last year, and new QB Alex Smith has sung his praises throughout OTAs. Smith is pretty limited target wise, but it makes sense the Crowder would be one of his primary options as the slot guy – who he doesn’t have to throw more than 10 yards at a clip for. The sky is the limit for Crowder this season, and his only real obstacle should be whether Smith will get him the ball on a consistent basis, as we’ve seen the veteran QB make or break a WR’s season many a time. Ideally they build a level of comfort that keeps Smith coming to him throughout the year. Crowder is a value pick that may very well pay dividends to those who take the chance.