Sleeper Files: Breshad Perriman
by Tommy Harvey
If I were to create a prototypical wide receiver, he would be 6’2” 215lbs, he would run a
sub 4.4 40 yard dash, he would be strong and explosive, and he would have been a
productive collegiate player. The Baltimore Ravens thought they had drafted the
prototype when they selected Breshad Perriman with the 26th overall pick in the 2015
NFL Draft. However, Perriman’s NFL career stalled after he was put on Injured Reserve
during his rookie season.
In two seasons with the Ravens, Breshad Perriman caught 43 passes for 576 yards
and 3 touchdowns in 27 games played. Perriman was released by Baltimore in
September 2018 and moved onto Cleveland as an afterthought, where he had another
less than stellar season. He only lasted one season with the Browns before he moved
onto Tampa Bay as a depth option for Jameis Winston. It appeared as if Perriman was destined to become a draft day bust, and for the Baltimore Ravens, he is probably considered just that. But....maybe....just maybe....at 26 years old, he is a slightly late bloomer. In 2019, Perriman emerged for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a dependable target. He amassed the best stats of his career with
36 receptions, 645 yards, and 6 TDs. The bulk of those numbers came in the final 4
games of the season after Mike Evans was shelved for the season. In those four
games, Perriman caught 25 balls for 506 yards, and 5 touchdowns.
This off season, Breshad Perriman was inked to a one year contract with the New York
Jets worth $8 million and $6 million guaranteed after Robby Anderson left the Big Apple
for Carolina. The hope for the Jets is Perriman can continue his hot finish in 2019 into
2020 and be the performer Anderson was. If Perriman can duplicate or better
Anderson’s average of 52 receptions, 765 yards, and 5 TDs per season, he could be a
very important piece for a Jets team that has struggled to find their footing in the AFC
East. With Tom Brady out of the division and the Patriots seemingly starting from
scratch at the quarterback position, the Jets could find themselves in contention sooner
rather than later.
The Jets drafted a very similar WR this April when they selected Denzel Mims out of
Baylor. At 6’3” 207lbs and a sub 4.4 40 yard dash, the Jets have surrounded Sam
Darnold and Le’Veon Bell with two prototypical targets who have the ability to stretch
the field with elite size and speed to go along with proven slot receiver Jamison Crowder and talented TE Chris Herndon. Now in New York, Perriman has the chance I never thought he properly got in Baltimore...to become a solid NFL wide receiver.
2020 Prediction and Fantasy Outlook
54 receptions, 891 yards, 9 touchdowns
Breshad Perriman should be on your radar this draft season somewhere in the
WR30-35 range and considered a WR3/Flex option with low-end WR2 upside in 2020 if
he becomes a favorite for 3rd-year QB Sam Darnold.
