Link: Beyond Texas Tech Part II
Last week we took a look at the revamped Texas Tech wide receiver corps. This week we examine the wide receiver units for some of the other top passing teams units for 2009. It should go without saying that these are units you'll want to pick through on draft day, and because this will be a two-part special, you'll also want to settle in for the long haul.
Houston
WR (X)
L.J. Castile, Jr, 6-3 210
E.J. Smith, So, 6-1 185
Ronnie Williams, r-Fr, 5-11 180
WR (H)
Tyron Carrier, So, 5-7 150
Wesley Scourten (TE), Jr, 6-6 240
A.J. Dugat 6-0 190 Fr
WR (Y)
Chaz Rodriguez, Jr, 6-2 185
Tim Monroe, Sr, 6-2 185
Chris Gilbert, Sr 5-8 170
WR (Z)
Patrick Edwards, So, 5-9 175
Kierrie Johnson, So, 5-10 175
James Cleveland, So, 6-1 205
Analysis: With another year to work out the kinks, last year may have just been the tip of the iceberg for Houston's offense. Carrier and Edwards are two proven fantasy commodities. Which you decide to choose is a matter of personal preference, though once again, I'll take a gamble on the the outside guy in Edwards, a talent that was just beginning to find his groove before the horrific incident with the injury cart. Rodriguez is an interesting one as well, having filled in for Edwards on the outside after he broke his leg against Marshall. All signs point to Rodriguez now moving inside and manning the spot held by TE Mark Hafner last season. Incoming freshman A.J. Dugat could also emerge in fall camp. And the question still on my mind is where in the world is Chris Gilbert? Don't expect to see a formal depth chart coming out Houston this summer, that is just how head coach Kevin Sumlin rolls.
Oklahoma
WR (X)
Brandon Caleb, Jr, 6-2 196
Jameel Owens, So, 6-3 200
Cameron Kenney, JC, 6-2 195
WR (H)
Ryan Broyles, So, 5-11 175 So
Mossis Madu, Jr, 5-11 196
Cameron Kenney, JC, 6-2 195
TE (Y)
Jermaine Gresham, Sr, 6-6 261
Brody Eldridge, Sr, 6-5 265
James Hanna, So 6-4 215
WR (Z)
Adron Tennell, Sr, 6-4 191
DeJuan Miller, So, 6-5 200
Analysis: Oklahoma is still a bit of a puzzle. There has been a lot of talk of Broyles moving to the outside. However, we still see him as a slot receiver, at least in three wide receiver sets. Regardless of where Broyles ends up, he and Tennell are in the starting lineup. The third spot is open and won't be settled until this August, and Caleb, Owens, Miller or JUCO Kenney all could end up in the starting lineup this fall. I have Kenney listed as third on the depth chart at both the X and H receiver, but I wouldn't be surprised if he starts at one of these spots come September 5.
Texas
WR (X)
Malcolm Williams, So, 6-3 220
Dan Buckner, So, 6-4 215
John Chiles, Jr, 6-2 215
WR (H)
James Kirkendoll, Jr, 5-11 180
John Chiles, Jr, 6-2 215
Brock Fitzhenry, r-Fr ,5-9 171
TE (Y)
Blaine Irby, Jr, 6-3 225
Greg Smith, Jr, 6-4 267
Ahmard Howard, So, 6-4 250
WR (Z)
Jordan Shipley, Sr, 6-0 190
Brandon Collins, Jr, 6-0 185
DeSean Hales, r-Fr, 5-11 175
Analysis: Irby and Shipley sat out the spring. There are no concerns with Shipley, but there are still questions on whether Irby will be able to return from knee surgery last fall. Williams and Kirkendoll could move around and Collins will work behind Shipley. Former QB John Chiles is still a bit of a wild card. Youngsters Dan Buckner and DeSean Hales should be more involved this fall. Williams and his 17.8 yards per catch is the best bet to emerge from the pack and into a starring fantasy role this fall.
Tulsa
WR (X)
Trae Johnson, Jr, 5-11, 180
Chris Ford, So, 6-2 189
WR (H)
Slick Shelley, Sr, 6-4 200
Jesse Meyer, Sr, 6-4 203
TE (Y)
Jacob Collums, Sr, 6-4 242
Clay Sears, Jr, 6-4 223
WR (Z)
Damaris Johnson, So, 5-8 170
A.J. Whitmore, Jr, 5-9 172
Analysis: This is an offense that will take advantage of different matchups each week, making it difficult for fantasy owners. Don't be surprised to see your guy go for multiple scores one week and then not even make a box score cameo the next. Damaris Johnson has the most upside because of his big play capability. He might get overlooked on draft day, but don't forget about Trae Johnson. Trae had over over 1000 yards receiving and 13 scores in 2007 before disappearing in 2008.
BYU
WR (X)
O'Neill Chambers, So, 6-2 209
Tyler Kozlowski, Jr, 5-9 188
TE (Y)
Dennis Pitta, Sr, 6-5 248
Andrew George, Sr, 6-5 249
WR (Z)
McKay Jacobson, So, 5-11 192
Luke Ashworth, Jr, 6-2 212
Analysis: Finding a replacement for Austin Collie is the goal of both coach Bronco Mendenhall and fantasy owners. Ashworth and Chambers exited spring as the starters, however we still expect Jacobson (hamstring) to capture one of the starting spots. All are fantasy options, but don't expect any of the three to put up Collie-like numbers. The catches will be more evenly distributed.
UTEP
WR (X)
Tufick Shadrawy, Sr, 6-2 195
Donavon Kemp, So, 6-1 180
Pierce Hunter, Jr, 6-5 225
WR (A)
Jeff Moturi, Sr, 6-0 190
Evan Davis, Jr, 6-1 185
Darius Austin, Fr, 5-8 180
TE (Y)
Jonny Moore, Jr, 6-5 250
Elijah Goldtrap, Jr, 6-5 265
Geoff Amato, So, 6-2 230
WR (Z)
Kris Adams, Jr, 6-3 195
Russell Carr, So, 6-2 200
Darrin Moore, Fr, 6-4 200
Analysis: Adams and Moturi are the focal points of the offense. Moturi was slowed by a nagging hamstring injury in 2008. Adams and his gaudy TD/catch ratio will attract many on draft day. But in this case I'll take the inside guy in Moturi, especially in PPR leagues.
Boise St.
WR (X)
Titus Young, So, 5-11 167
Chris Potter, So, 5-11 165
WR (H) Tyler Shoemaker, Fr, 6-1 214
Mitch Burroughs, r-Fr, 5-9 194
TE (Y) Richie Brockel (TE/FB), Sr, 6-2 245
Tommy Gallarda, So, 6-5 249
Kyle Efaw, Fr, 6-4 228
WR (Z)
Austin Pettis 6-3 202 So
Mitch Burroughs, r-Fr, 5-9 194
Analysis: Last year we witnessed a transformation of the Boise offense. Past Broncos teams relied heavily on the run. But in 2008, with the wheels starting to fall off RB Ian Johnson, they were nearly 50/50 with the run and pass. With sophomore QB Kellen Moore sure to only get better, look for more of the same this year on the blue turf. And this is good news for Austin Pettis and Titus Young. The speedster Young was back in he mix this spring after missing most of last year do to suspension. Pettis and his 6-3 frame is a classic red zone wide receiver. The pair will go largely overlooked on draft day but I suspect they will far exceed 2009 expectations.
Hawaii
WR (X or LWR)
Rodney Bradley, Jr, 6-0 190
Royce Pollard, So, 6-0 175
Joe Avery, So, 6-4 180
WR (H or LSB)
Greg Salas, Jr, 6-2 200
Jon Medeiros, Sr, 5-9 195
Ryan Henry, Jr, 5-9 160
WR (Y or RSB)
Kealoha Pilares, Jr, 5-11 190
Dustin Blount, Jr, 5-8 160
Ryan Henry, Jr, 5-9 160
WR (Z or RWR)
Malcolm Lane, Sr, 6-1 180
Royce Pollard, So, 6-0 175
Jovonte Taylor, Jr, 5-9 185
Analysis: With the transformation year behind them, stability at the quarterback spot and one of the easiest schedules in the FBS, it is once again time to look to the Warriors for fantasy production.
The Warriors' receiving corps should show considerable improvement this fall with guys like Lane and Salas building off experience gained in 2008 and more stability at quarterback. The JUCO transfer Bradley is the wildcard. He has sprinter speed and by all accounts dazzled during the spring. A number of the backups should see plenty of snaps as well, making this group a little risky on draft day. But rest assured a few will be dotting rosters by the time week three rolls around.
Readers should note that the Run & Shoot alignment is a tad different from most spread offenses that have been discussed while breaking down the nation's most prolific passing attacks. The two inside receivers or slotbacks both align themselves off the line of scrimmage in the Mouse Davis/June Jones attack. Most like to lump all pass-first offenses into the same category, but each offense has its own nuances which set it apart from the others.
SMU
WR (X or LWR)
Aldrick Robinson, Jr, 5-10 176
E.J. Drewery, r-Fr ,6-5 219
WR (H or LSB)
Emmanuel Sanders, Sr ,5-11 180
Cole Loftin, r-Fr, 6-0 185
WR (Y or RSB)
Cole Beasley, So, 5-9 174
Justin Willis, Sr, 5-11 197
WR (Z or RWR)
Terrance Wilkerson, So, 5-10 175
Bradley Haynes, So, 6-3 209
Analysis: SMU's top four leading receivers return. There was a lot of talk and panic about Sanders moving to cornerback this spring. He will see time as a situational corner, but June Jones is not going to pull his most athletic player from the starting wide receiver rotation. The good news is this should drop Sanders down many people's draft board and possibly get your hands on him later than usual in the draft.