Wide Receivers Who Won Big in the Draft

These rookies may not have been in the top tier of elite receiver prospects, but their landing spots make them prime candidates for high end fantasy production in their first season in the NFL…

 

Keon Coleman, Bills

Coleman lucked out in the draft, landing what could quickly become a starting gig on one of the league’s most pass happy offenses. With Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel as his only real competition at the WR position, Coleman has a leg up, towering over both of them at 6’03”. Bills QB Josh Allen is a future HOF’er to boot, so Coleman will have the benefit of premier QB play on a weekly basis. Not that Coleman needs exquisite QB play, as he’s a massive target and has a vice grip, only dropping 2 passes on 87 targets at Florida State. Coleman is a dark horse to lead all rookie WRs in TDs.

 

Troy Franklin, Broncos

Sure, there are questions at the QB position in Denver – Rookie Bo Nix is the favorite to win the starting QB position in camp and would be thrown into the fire immediately. That being said, nothing makes a rookie QB feel more at home than his favorite WR in college, and that’s what Franklin is. Along with the college connection, Franklin only has Courtland Sutton as a surefire starter ahead of him, so he could see action in 2-wide sets from Week 1.

 

Malachi Corley, Jets

Playing over 91% of his starting snaps in college out of the slot, Corley makes a perfect complement to Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams on the outside. QB Aaron Rodgers has a long history of utilizing his slots, and Corley could be the second coming of Randall Cobb, though he’s bigger, a stout 207 lbs at 5’11”. Known for his YAC prowess, Corley can take a dump-off and house it, so every target is a possibility for fantasy gold.