Taking It To The Next Level - 2009 Breakout WRs
February 4, 2009 at 1:00 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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Heading into 2008, many fantasy owners thought that Steelers WR Santonio Holmes would make the jump to fantasy super-stardom, after a 52-catch, 942 yard, 8 TD sophomore season in 2007. Unfortunately, for owners that invested in him early in last year’s drafts, he didn’t quite pan out. However, his strong performance in the playoffs is likely a preview of what’s to come in 2009.
Not only did Holmes rack up Super Bowl MVP honors, hauling in nine catches for 131 yards and the game-winning TD, but he finished with 13 catches for 226 yards and two TDs in three games in this year’s playoffs. Holmes also had three TDs in Pittsburgh’s last five regular season games, but building upon his impressive statistical momentum - the way Chargers’ WR Vincent Jackson did last season - isn’t the only reason why Holmes will take his game to the next level in 2009.
Hines Ward - who has been Pittsburgh’s top possession threat for the last eight seasons - isn’t the same player he once was. Tough? Yes. Important to the team? Sure. But he likely needs surgery on his knee this off-season, and at the age of 32, isn’t likely to continue on as the team’s top threat. Prior to Super Bowl XLIII, Holmes hadn’t caught more than five balls in a game all season. However, against the Cards, Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians showed fantasy owners a sneak peak of what’s to come in 2009 and beyond. He called Holmes’ number early and often, and not just on downfield routes. Arians and Ben Roethlisberger featured the 5′11″ Holmes on WR swing routes and out patterns, which are basically extensions of the running game. The better Holmes gets at playing that type of role, the more valuable he’ll become to points per reception league owners.
With Ward slowing down, and the Steelers showing more confidence in the 24 year old Holmes, his odds of taking his statistics to the next level are rising significantly. Dynasty owners willing to make a deal for Holmes this off-season will be making a great investment, as he’s evolving into more than just a big play threat - he’s the future centerpiece of the Steelers offense.
But that’s not all…
There’s one more young WR that proved himself during this year’s NFL Playoffs. Eagles’ 22 year old 5′10″, 181 pound speedster DeSean Jackson is for real, but - like Holmes - fantasy owners need to realize that he’s more than just a big play threat. While he had a play of 20 or more yards in 13 of his 20 games this season, he also caught five or more balls in eight games, including five of his first six as a pro, and six for 92 yards and a TD in the conference championship game. Jackson has top end speed, the ability to create separation pretty much whenever he wants, great hands, and he has proven he can fill the role of Philly’s number one WR. With Donovan McNabb playing at an extremely high level, and soon-to-be 30 year old RB Brian Westbrook in need of serious relief, we expect Eagles offensive coordinator/assistant head coach Marty Mornhinweg to feature Jackson even more in 2009.
Like Vincent Jackson parlayed his impressive 2007 post-season into a 59 catch, 1,098 yard, seven TD campaign in 2008, DeSean’s solid performances in the divisional and conference championship rounds proved his rookie season wasn’t a fluke. Both Holmes and DeSean Jackson will combine big play ability, with increased possession opportunities to become legitimate top tier fantasy WR2s in 2009 and beyond.
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