3 Wide Receivers Primed to Make the Jump in Fantasy Football This Season

Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers

I will be the first to admit that the secret is out on Martavis Bryant. The term “sleeper” -– if such a term even still exists at all –- doesn't apply to the 6’4” wide receiver who snagged 8 touchdowns on just 48 targets last season.

His current ADP of WR25 according to Fantasy Football Calculator, in the middle of the fifth round, does feel a bit expensive. But there are few pass-catchers in the league who offer the pure upside found with Bryant. Again, using our NEP metrics sorted by wide receivers that saw similar target exposure, Bryant’s efficiency was astounding last season.

Among the 29 wide receivers who saw between 30 and 60 targets last season, Bryant finished atop the list in both Reception NEP and Reception NEP per target. His near 1:3 touchdown-to-catch ratio is a big reason for the inflated numbers, as NEP naturally favors touchdowns and long gains. But even if you assume that his touchdown % will decrease, scoring 8-10 touchdowns in 2015 is certainly within the reasonable range of outcomes.

And with Le’Veon Bell most likely out for the first three games, the need for touchdown producers only increases in Pittsburgh with Bryant squarely fitting the bill.

It seems no coincidence that from Week 7 on last season, the timeframe in which Bryant finally found the field, the Steelers went 8-2. If they fully commit to him in 2015 with his shown propensity for touchdown scoring, it’s tough to put a real ceiling on his potential: even if it’s not coming without a draft cost discount.