Fantasy Football: Three Wide Receivers Who Are Overvalued by Their ADP

For me, out of the three major skill positions, wide receiver seem to be the easiest position for me to figure out which players have the best chance to disappoint.  There are more variables when it comes to the WR position, (which cornerbacks they should face during the season, QB play, double-teaming).  The more negatives there are, the better the chance they will underperform.  Here's who I think you should be leery of.

(ADP, or average draft position, is the average draft rankings of six well-known fantasy football websites.  VYPA, or vertical yards per attempt, is the average amount of yards a player gains per each attempt over ten yards, successful or not.)

Reggie Wayne - ADP 12 (3rd WR Taken)

Well, just like Marvin Harrison a couple of years ago, it looks like it is time for Reggie Wayne to pass the torch.  In 2009, he had a decent VYPA of 11.2 yards.  But there were three Colts receivers that had a better VYPA rating than him.  You could tell during the final few games that it looked like he has lost a step, and that he just doesn't have that breakaway speed he used to.  His stats also indicated that he didn't dominate the mediocre cornerbacks that he normally could do with his eyes closed.  With the emergence of Garcon and Collie, as well as the domination of TE Dallas Clark, Reggie's numbers should take somewhat of a dive this year.

DeSean Jackson - ADP 25 (9th WR Taken)

DeSean Jackson had eight touchdowns over 50 yards!  If that's not a playmaker, I don't know what is.  But the odds of him repeating that feat?  Highly unlikely.  He has not proven that he can be an all-around receiver, as he only had 63 receptions last year.  With Kevin Kolb now the starting QB in Philly, instead of McNabb, there are just too many question marks to draft him as your #1 receiver.  Will he be productive?  Probably.  Would I want him as my #1 WR?  Nope.

Anquan Boldin - ADP 36 (12th WR Taken)

The odds are stacked against Anquan Boldin that he will produce fantasy numbers with what he should be producing at his ADP.  He was considered a #2 WR last year in Arizona, and defenses always having to account for Larry Fitzgerald on the other side of the field, yet he only finished in the early 20s in scoring.  Now in Baltimore, he has a new quarterback, a new offensive coordinator, a team that is based on running the ball instead of airing it out, and into a much tougher AFC North division; which could realistically have three teams in the top ten with regards to pass defense.  There are several receivers that have much more upside than Boldin will at this spot.

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