The Best Players to Stash in Fantasy Football From the NFC West
Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams
The Player
Coming out of Appalachian State, we should have known Brian Quick wouldn't adjust to the NFL quickly (ugh, sorry). After emerging as the star of training camp in 2014, the talented receiver had a tremendous start to the season in an anemic passing game before tearing ligaments in his shoulder and rotator cuff in October. Still only 26 years-old, Quick's arrow is still pointing up.
At 6'4" and 220 pounds, Quick possess the size and speed to emerge as a dominant receiver. In 2014, he demonstrated a much improved understanding of how to run routes and separate from defenses, posting 25 receptions for 375 yards and 3 touchdowns in his shortened season. The former basketball player and high jumper also showed off his impressive body control and leaping ability, effectively high pointing the football in several jump-ball situations.
His Reception NEP per target was an impressive 0.81, which put him in the same ballpark as Mike Evans (0.82), Calvin Johnson (0.82), T.Y. Hilton (0.83) and Antonio Brown (0.84). Granted, those players had more targets and attention on them, but they also had quarterbacks who stayed healthy and had talent, instead of Austin Davis.
His size and 4.5 speed compare favorable to many proven NFL receivers coming out of college. There just aren't many humans this athletic, so it should come as no surprise that many who are go on to have impressive NFL careers.
| Name | Hght | Wght | 40 yd | Vert | Broad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Quick | 6' 4" | 220 | 4.55 | 34" | 119" |
| Kenny Britt | 6' 3" | 218 | 4.49 | 37" | 124" |
| Josh Gordon | 6' 3" | 224 | 4.52 | 36" | 121" |
| Eric Decker | 6' 3" | 217 | 4.54 | ||
| Larry Fitzgerald | 6' 2⅞" | 225 | 4.48 | 38" | |
| Alshon Jeffery | 6' 2⅞" | 216 | 4.48 | 36½" | 122" |
| Allen Robinson | 6' 2⅝" | 220 | 4.6 | 39" | 127" |
| Dez Bryant | 6' 2" | 225 | 4.52 | 38" | 133" |
| Da'Rick Rogers | 6' 2" | 217 | 4.52 | 39½" | 132" |
The Opportunity
It's not good.
As a team, the Rams' schedule-adjusted Passing NEP per play (0.02) was right up there with the mighty New York Jets in 2014. While not as inept as the NFL-worst Jaguars (-0.15), not much went well for the team after losing Sam Bradford to a season ending injury (again) in training camp.
The combination of Austin Davis and journeyman Shaun Hill wasn't very good, and the team jettisoned the oft injured Bradford for Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who they hope will at the very least provide stability under center. His tremendous 2013 season may have been a product of the Chip Kelly offense, but it did demonstrate his willingness to push the ball downfield and let his receivers make plays.
And that's what Quick does so well.
Quick is currently being drafted 139th overall as the 53rd receiver off the board. This is a guy with immense talent who, if healthy, will be the Rams top wide receiver (for whatever that's worth). His competition for targets is the unreliable (on and off the field) Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin and perhaps Stedman Bailey. Not really a daunting depth chart by any stretch of the imagination.
The offense could hold him back, but Josh Gordon proved that a receiver could be dominant without a functional passing game. The Rams as a team had 3,400 yards passing in 2014 with subpar play under center, so the volume is clearly there for Quick to have a great year regardless of quarterback play.
His shoulder injury is something to monitor, but his recovery seems to be going just fine, and Quick is a high-upside receiver with limited risk at his current redraft ADP. His injury has also put him a bit off the radar, so he is a player worth targeting as a buy-low in dynasty leagues.
