William Del Pilar's Blog: Keeper Leagues and Free-agent WRs

I’m continuing with my series of free-agent players and keeper leagues. We’ve covered quarterbacks and running backs; you can access those and all my other blogs.

Before moving on to the wideouts, a few comments:

• I believe wide receivers are the easiest position to waive because they are so deep. You have 64 starting wide receivers and a deep pool of nearly 96 to choose from. I base that on the simple fact many teams go three wide and all teams will eventually go with multiple receiver sets when needed.
• As always never view any player, especially wide receivers, as untouchables. Every year look to trade your top wideout for draft picks or a top producing player such as a quarterback or running back. In-season you can find quality wide receivers weekly depending on the matchup. On draft day there are always quality veterans available as well.
• As I’ve said in previous blogs, I’ll be piggybacking off our free-agent analysis tables that came out in late February. I’ll link to that article each time I do a position. Wide Receivers

Free-agent wide receivers (Part I)

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (signed by the Seattle Seahawks): Houshmandzadeh went from the Cincinnati Bengals to another team in disarray, the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are paying dearly to have him, guaranteeing $15 million of his $40 million contract! Housh is going to a team that will carry out a run-first attitude as new head coach Jim Mora is bringing in Greg Knapp as the offensive coordinator. Remember, Knapp was with him in Atlanta where they built a strong rushing attack. Housh, coming from Cincinnati was in a friendly pass-first atmosphere. You don’t release Housh, because he can be a quality fantasy receiver even as a No. 3 fantasy option, but I push hard to trade him! Here’s why: (1) He will be in a run-first offense (2) he’s leaving a pass-happy offense (3) he has to learn a new playbook (4) he has to develop chemistry with starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (5) he is sharing playing time with Nate Burleson (knee), Deion Branch and tight end John Carlson and (6) does his payday mean less productivity? Too many questions; I don’t mind if I have to keep him, but you may find someone willing to overpay.

Nate Washington (signed by the Tennessee Titans): The Titans laid out for Washington, with $9 million in guarantees on a six-year, $27 million contract. I believe Washington is a complementary receiver. That is, he’s most effective as a No. 3 option that can come in and spot-start but is not a gamebreaker. Teams will have to acknowledge him but not game plan for him. He will complement Justin Gage the team’s No. 1 receiver, but he will lose receptions to the tight end position helmed by Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife. Washington is also on a run-first team, will not be the No. 1 receiving option and because of that, not worth keeping. Try to trade him, as he’s made a free-agent splash, to an owner who does not know better, but waive him if no takers.

Laveranues Coles (signed by the Cincinnati Bengals): Coles was lucky the Bengals threw so much guaranteed money his way. While only 31 years old he has many miles (nine seasons) on his wheels and will turn 32 in December. He’s also been injury-prone the last couple of years and one must ask, “Has he lost it?” The Bengals don’t think so as they are guaranteeing $9.75 million of his $27.5 million contract, but that’s not the only concern. He has to (1) learn a new offense (2) gain chemistry with a quarterback coming off major injury and (3) show he still has the speed to breakaway and get open. However, he is going to a pass-happy offense, and I would use that as the basis of my “sell” pitch to owners. If I can’t trade him, I would keep him as my No. 3 option and hope for the best. I release him only in partial keeper leagues if I feel the same quality level of player will be available.

Marvin Harrison: The future Hall of Fame receiver was let go by the Indianapolis Colts after knee injuries hampered his career the last two years. The question we have, “Is he done?” is a legit question. The Philadelphia Eagles are supposedly showing some interest as are the Baltimore Ravens, but the latter is rumor. For keeper league owners, it’s not where he goes but how his knee holds up. After last year’s dismal performance and watching him drop in most drafts, expect that to continue this year. His knee is an unknown right now, so waive him. However, keep an eye on him because he is dropping and if he drops enough but goes to a team like Philadelphia, he could be a sleeper draft pick.

Ronald Curry: Curry has never lived up to the potential. Part of that is the fact he was playing for the Oakland Raiders, but the other part is that he has been a bit injury-prone. From an NFL stance, he’s a serviceable receiver who could help any team as depth or even as a complementary receiver to the team’s No. 1 option. However, some of the teams that could use him are not conducive to fantasy success. The Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars are teams that could use his talents, but they are run-first teams. Curry, in the right situation, could shine, but fantasy owners should not worry about that and waive him. There are better players you can pick up.

Next up, Free-agent Wide Receivers (Part II)! Until next time, let me know your thoughts, and don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter.