Dynasty Stash: Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

By Tommy Harvey

Part three of our Dynasty Stash series focuses on the wide receivers and tight ends and how I see them moving forward.  This season has seen a multitude of talent at the WR spot...especially amongst the 2020 rookie class.  Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, Ceedee Lamb, Chase Claypool, and Michael Pittman Jr have shown tremendous ability and upside.  On the flipside, the TE position has been a bit of a crapshoot.  Outside of Travis Kelce and Darren Waller, there hasn’t been much consistency.  

The good news is there are possibly some WRs and TEs available to you on the waiver wire or via trade this offseason.  If these guys are available in your leagues, make sure you make a play for them in free agency or via trade in the offseason.  These WRs and TEs could be league winners for you in the future.

Wide Receiver

Bryan Edwards

One of my favorite WRs in the 2020 draft class, Edwards was never quite healthy enough to make much of a difference for the Las Vegas Raiders.  QB Derek Carr went as far to compare the former Gamecock to Packer’s star WR Davante Adams.  

“Bryan is a very violent route runner and that’s a good thing.  He’s very violent, he’s very aggressive in his cuts, he reminds me...when the ball is in the air...of Davante, great ball skills.”

The Raiders will need someone in their receiving corps to step up alongside TE Darren Waller.  At 6’3” 212lbs, Edwards has the size and ability to be a successful WR in the NFL.  

Van Jefferson

In the preseason, Van Jefferson was a dynasty darling.  Some people even believed he was the most NFL-ready rookie WR.  While his 22 targets this season were somewhat disappointing to fantasy owners, it is probably necessary to realize that the Rams have three other WRs ahead of him that were familiar with the offense.  

Going into next season, Jefferson will have a full season under his belt and the ability to properly prepare for the next season.  Jefferson could very easily win the WR3 role in 2021 and be a viable fantasy option.

Denzel Mims

In 7 games played thus far in 2020, Denzel Mims has 40 targets, 22 receptions, and 342 yards.  That is not bad, considering he missed the first 6 games of the season with a hamstring injury.  With a full 16 games, those numbers come out to roughly 95 targets, 55 receptions, and 800 yards.  

That is certainly something to build on for the 2020 2nd round pick out of Baylor.  Whether Sam Darnold is the starting QB in 2021, or if another signal caller is slinging the rock, Mims has a bright future...especially if the Jets organization can figure out their coaching situation.

Collin Johnson

Jacksonville is currently in the lead to have the number 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.  

Trevor Lawrence anyone?

If it does indeed come to fruition that Lawrence ends up with the Jaguars, Collin Johnson will be a big time target for the future rookie QB.  The massive 6’6” WR has had a decent last month, garnering 18 targets, 11 receptions, and 203 yards over the past 4 games.  

Johnson will likely never be the number 1 option in Jacksonville, but he has upside as a possession receiver and redzone target.

Tight End

Cole Kmet

Kmet is the best TE on Chicago’s roster.  They will realize that sooner rather than later.  Jimmy Graham is on the backside of his career, and Kmet is the future alongside Allen Robinson and David Montgomery.

The rookie TE out of Notre Dame has become a steady presence in the Bears’ offense, attracting 16 targets over the past 3 weeks.  As he gets more acclimated with the NFL game, Kmet could become a top end TE over the next few years.

Adam Trautman

Trautman has not had much of a rookie season, but Jared Cook isn’t getting any younger and Trautman has the skillset to become the starter in New Orleans in the near future.  

In college at Dayton, Trautman had a tremendous career.  In 4 seasons, he had 178 receptions, 2,295 yards, and 31 TDs.  If any of that translates into the NFL, Trautman could become a fantasy asset.

Blake Jarwin

Blake Jarwin was my favorite sleeper this past fantasy draft season.  He was setup to have a monster season for the Cowboys, but he sustained a torn ACL in the first week of the season.  Jarwin is a big time receiving threat at the TE position and will have a tremendous opportunity in 2021 as he and Dak Prescott (contract situation withstanding) will return to the Dallas offense.