Opportunity Knocks
Dorian “The Trashman” Colbert, Rosterwatch.com

Every player who makes it to the NFL is a gifted individual. Of the almost 70,000 players who participate in a college football season, only 255 get drafted each year. There are more undrafted free agents for sure, but the percentage of those kids who go pro is still just under 2% of all collegiate players. So getting into the league is no easy feat, as we can surmise. That being said, there are some guys who by professional standards we would consider fairly ordinary– ability wise. It just so happens that on occasion, these JAGs(Just A Guy) are by some chance thrust into a position of usefulness, fantasy and otherwise, that makes them somewhat of a valuable commodity in certain formats. These are several receivers who fill that description who you should keep on your radar in deep drafts:

Jerricho Cotchery, Panthers: Cotchery had a pretty solid year last season in Pittsburgh, and he has a shot to continue his run in Carolina. As the number 2 receiver to rookie WR Kelvin Benjamin, he has the chance to rack up catches should Benjamin draw a lot of double coverage. The Panthers don’t air it out a whole lot, but Cotchery is known to make due with the few targets he gets. This year should bring in the highest amount of looks he’s seen in years.

David Nelson, Jets: With a streaky Eric Decker on the opposite end of the field, and a QB who needs all the safety valves he can get, a possession receiver like Nelson could do well for PPR leagues in New York.

Miles Austin, Browns: The wide open receiver field in Cleveland shows how much the Browns were depending on Josh Gordon to carry the load this season. Austin is the healthiest among the real veteran pass catchers there, but he’s just one hamstring away from fantasy impotency. The Browns will run a ton, but they’ll have to throw it up on occasion to keep defenses honest. Austin could get lucky.

Nate Washington, Titans: Washington always ends up being fantasy viable, regardless of how much he’s ignores by prognosticators before and during the season. I don’t see why this year would be any different for him.

A.J. Jenkins, Chiefs: Donnie Avery’s tenure in K.C. is uncertain at best, and Dwayne Bowe runs to far for Alex Smith to throw to him on a regular basis. Smith likes run of the mill receivers who don’t make things to difficult for him. Jenkins was described as “capable” by coach Reid, so he should be a nice fit for him.

Malcolm Floyd, Chargers: Floyd quietly posted back to back 800 yd, 5 td seasons before getting injured early last season. He’s back in game shape, and he’s arguably the number two option in San Diego with Antonio Gates on the decline. You can get Floyd for dirt cheap in most drafts.

Greg Jennings, Vikings: Jennings left Green Bay, and everyone assumed he would never catch another pass in the NFL apparently. That just isn’t true, and with competent QB play n the horizon in Minnesota with Teddy Bridgewater, we haven’t seen the last of Jennings.

Doug Baldwin, Seahawks: The ‘Hawks just resigned Baldwin and for good reason. He is an extremely capable receiver, and one of the few consistent options in Seattle’s passing game. He probably won’t blow the lid off in any game, but he’ll get you at least a handful of points in every game.

Austin Pettis, Rams: Pettis is running out of chances in St. Louis, but due to the loss of Stedman Bailey for four games, and the inability of pretty much any other Rams receiver to contribute on a steady basis, Pettis is still a starter. This could be Sam Bradford’s last shot to show that he’s the guy in St. Louis, so he’s going to do everything to get the ball into his receiver’s hands.