The 2014 NFL season had some of the finest rookie talent in years when it came to the position of wide receiver. Additionally, other younger guys, or receivers with new teams began breaking out making them definite targets in dynasty fantasy football leagues.
10. Jarvis Landry, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
Showing a burst in potential late into the season was the rookie Landry. He’s certainly worth a look in dynasty leagues due to recent controversy between the Dolphins and their No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace. Over the 2014 season, Landry was targeted 112 times, for which he made 84 catches. He actually holds a higher target to catch ratio than Wallace’s 67 for 115. Finishing the season with 758 yards and five touchdowns gives Landry a promising outlook especially in PPR keeper leagues.
9. Brandon LaFell, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
LaFell never really shined until he started his fifth NFL year with his new Patriots’ team. He and quarterback Tom Brady just clicked from the start which had LaFell playing his best season so far in his career. Coming just shy of the 1,000-yard mark with 953 receiving yards, LaFell also had a career-high seven touchdown season. Playing under Brady should see LaFell having a few more successful fantasy seasons making him a valid dynasty pick for the near future.
8. Martavis Bryant, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
Even with fellow stud receiver Antonio Brown in the picture, Bryant had enough production to show he is a receiver worth owning in dynasty leagues. Turning just 26 catches into 549 receiving yards yielding an average of 21.1 yards per catch makes Bryant a deadly target who will likely end up with a score when he gets his hands on the ball. Want more proof? Bryant turned those 26 catches into eight touchdowns during his 2014 rookie season. Look for Bryant and Brown to be emerge into one of the new hot wide receiver duos moving forward if you do indeed to make him part of your dynasty league.
7. Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Buffalo Bills
Watkins, despite being the victim of unstable quarterbacking all season still managed to rank 25th in fantasy points among his fellow receivers. This goes to show that under a more consistent quarterback, which the Bills are in dire need of, Watkins will excel even more. Managing 982 yards along with six touchdowns is pretty commendable given the rookie’s team circumstances. Watkins wasn’t the first overall draft pick in 2014 for no reason, so trust him and know that Watkins has nowhere to go but up in his young career.
6. Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Matthews was a dynamic receiver to watch in his rookie season debut. He played well under both quarterbacks Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez showing that he is a versatile receiver who can work under shifting circumstances. Scoring eight touchdowns with 872 receiving yards had Matthews finishing 24th in fantasy points in 2014. Definitely a receiver who even has more to offer as his career gets going, Matthews will be a valuable asset in keeper leagues for some time to be.
5. Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver New Orleans Saints
Cooks should get back on course in 2015 after suffering from a broken thumb that ended his rookie season early back in November. Definitely a receiver worth having on dynasty leagues moving forward, Cooks should continue to evolve into the No. 1 receiver role as he returns to play this season. During the course of the 10 games he did play last season, Cooks had 53 catches on 69 targets, producing 550 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Cooks has incredible speed and even scored a rushing touchdown to add to his rookie numbers. The Saints drafted right with Cooks and so will those who roll with him now.
4. DeAndre Hopkins, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans
There was no ‘sophomore slump’ for Hopkins finishing up his 2014 season as the 14th ranked fantasy receiver. This makes Hopkins, if he is still available in dynasty leagues a must-target guy. Hopkins was far more productive than veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson and handled the Texans’ rickety quarterback situation with ease this past season. Should Hopkins, who had 1,210 receiving yards and six touchdowns get to work under a stable quarterback environment next season, he should be even more impressive than ever.
3. Kelvin Benjamin, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers
Benjamin was a true workhorse as he started his rookie season with the Panthers being thrown into the No. 1 receiving slot. While he and Cam Newton will need to improve on accuracy, note that Benjamin was targeted 145 times, the sixth most of the wide receivers last season. Evolving into one of the best receiving products of last year’s rookie draft, Benjamin will only look to add on to his 1,008 receiving yard, nine-touchdown season moving forward. Benjamin will be the real deal for anyone who adds him to their dynasty league moving forward.
2. Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans has an incredible rookie season to boast coming off of his first NFL year. It didn’t matter that the Buccaneers only won a two games in 2014, because as long as Evans was earning fantasy points his owners were happy. This makes him a fabulous asset to any keeper league going forth. 2014 had Evans ranking 10th in fantasy points which came from 12 touchdowns and 1,051 receiving yards. Any improvement in either the Bucs quarterback or coaching staff will only enhance Evans’ future potential.
Odell Beckham Jr., Wide Receiver, New York Giants
Now we all had to know who would be owning this No. 1 dynasty must-have slot, the amazing Giants’ rookie wide receiver Beckham Jr. With not even a full season under his belt, as injury kept Beckham sidelined his first four games, he finished fifth overall ranked of all wide receivers for 2014. Beckham had an incredible season with 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He and quarterback Eli Manning connected for 91 catches on 130 attempts which will have fantasy owners waiting anxiously for more in future seasons. If you’re the lucky one to secure Beckham who is sure to produce more jaw-dropping touchdown catches, to your keeper league do so without further hesitation.