Kevin Ogleetree: Is He Laurent Robinson Part Deux or Dwayne Harris?
Mike Loyko, Rosterwatch.com Director of Scouting

Last season, the Cowboys desperate to add depth to their wide receiver corps, signed a soon-to-be out-of-the NFL WR in Laurent Robinson. Robinson, up to that point in time, had just been cut by the Chargers at the end of camp and had already been run out of town by the wide receiver-needy St. Louis Rams. Prior to that, the Atlanta Falcons (who spent a third round pick on Robinson in 2007) got rid of him after only two seasons. Robinson was at the end of the line when he came to Dallas, and it would be his last chance to prove he could play in the NFL.

Starting in week three as the Cowboys third receiver, Robinson exploded onto the scene. Playing in only 14 games Robinson managed to record 858 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns (10.84 fantasy points/game), finishing the season as a top 15 fantasy receiver. Robinson was target 81 times or 5.78 times a game and caught 54 of those targets. With so much attention paid to the Cowboys top three receiving threats, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Jason Witten, Robinson was able to excel in the Cowboys passing attack. After the season Robinson parlayed his one successful NFL season into a 5 year, 32 million dollar contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Enter Kevin Ogleetree.

Wednesday night, Kevin Ogleetree playing the same role Robinson did in the Cowboys passing attack, and exploded onto the NFL and fantasy scene hauling in 8 catches for 114 yard and 2 touchdowns. He narrowly missed his third touchdown, but Tony Romo misfired and threw just behind him. On top of that, Ogleetree was targeted a team high 11 times and looked like Romo’s safety valve. Prior to last night Ogleetree had played in 31 NFL games and had NEVER caught a touchdown.

Last night’s game begs the question, was Ogleetree’s performance an anomaly or is the Cowboys No.3 WR spot becoming a top fantasy option, regardless of who is playing the position?

A couple things must first be taken into account. Jason Witten was not close to being himself. After missing most of the preseason with a spleen injury, Witten was a last minute activation and played little to no role in the passing attack.

Secondly, the Giants secondary was riddled with injuries. Prince Amukamara and Terrell Thomas didn’t play, and most of Ogleetree’s damage cam against Michael Coe who struggled to keep up with Ogleetree (granted he did beat Corey Webster a couple times). Third, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Witten had yet to practice or play together in 2012 due to various injuries to all. Once all are 100% there is definitely concern that Ogleetree will become an afterthought.

However, based on the rapport that Ogleetree showed with Tomy Romo last night and the fact that Romo continuously looked to go to him in big situations intrigues me. The Cowboys wide receiver depth chart behind Ogleetree is not very impressive, so his role will be secure all year. If you take into account what Robinson did last year in the same role, the fact that Miles Austin and Dez Bryant struggle to stay healthy regularly, I’m buying Ogleetree.

While you can’t expect the kind of production you saw last night on a game to game basis, you can expect him to get plenty of targets each game. He may not put up the 11 touchdowns that Robinson did last year, but I believe you can expect similar receiving stats – 54 catches for around 900 yards, with a chance to be even better. If Miles Austin or Dez Bryant miss significant time, which is a good possibility based on their track records and the fact that Austin’s hamstring has already acted up, Ogleetree becomes even more valuable.

Tread carefully while adding him. I’m not going to drop a David Wilson, Ryan Williams of even Kendall Hunter to pick up Ogleetree. But, I will drop a WR like James Jones, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola for him. Remember this in fantasy,  it’s not so much the player that has value, it’s the position and offense he is in that creates the value. Ogleetree is in a position which is becoming more and more fantasy relevant, and that has real value. I’m buying.