Grading the Rookie Receivers of 2008 - and their fantasy impact

by NYCowboy on Jan 10, 2009 11:19 AM CST

Anyone who has played fantasy football knows that drafting rookies and expecting a fantasy impact in their first year is a hit or miss proposition. The 2008 season was no different than any other with rookie wide receivers, who are known to have a bigger impact in their second or third year - and that theory held true again in 2008.

The Fantasy Sports Forum grades the top wide receivers from 2008, with the round and overall position on where they were drafted. Each player received a grade based on their fantasy impact. The players are listed in the order of where they were picked in the NFL Draft.

Donnie Avery, Rams: 2nd round/33rd overall
Avery started 12 games but had a very inconsistent rookie year. He hauled in 54 balls and totaled 684 yards with 3 receiving TDs (and one rushing TD). Not great, but not bad either. Showed flashes of someone who can have a bigger impact in year two.
Grade: B

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I think Avery's on-field performance far outshined his fantasy performance

We saw that he can be a legitimate deep threat. We also saw that he is completely hamstrung by his QB play, and by the increasing ineffectiveness of the Rams other receiving options. If you decided to start him, you were basically betting/hoping for a TD grab, because he wasn’t going to give you anything close to a 100-yard day.

In fantasy purposes, I’d give him a “D” … if you started him any time after Week 8, just as he appeared to be heating up, he was an unmitigated disaster for you. He also gave you nothing in kick or punt return yardage.

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Jan 14, 2009 12:00 PM CST reply actions

I picked up DeShawn Jackson (or however you spell it) and he actually contributed quite a bit. Avery was unreliable, but I had him on the bench as a back up.

by sergey606 on Jan 19, 2009 3:48 AM CST reply actions