Justin Gage had 651 yards on just 34 catches (19.1 yards per catch) with 6 TDs. With the addition of Nate Washington, Gage will have to catch quite a few more passes to match is 2008 yardage output. Plus, with the addition of Rookie Kenny Britt, he’s going to have to stay healthy. Gage had 92+ yards in three games and fewer than 50 yards in seven games making it hard to rely on him for anything more than a WR4 or WR5. Playing for a defensive-minded team with a run-heavy offense leaves my expectations lower for a somewhat unproved player for a team with two more mouths to feed. Gage is going in the 11th round in fantasy drafts, which is a pretty fair value. I’m expecting him to catch 50 passes for 700 yards and 5 TDs.
Patrick Crayton is the #2 WR again now that T.O. has moved on toe Buffalo. Miles Austin will get his catches as the #3 WR, and TE Jason Witten catches more than his share of passes so Crayton’s value is not that of a normal #2 WR in an offense as explosive as Dallas’ should be. Aside from the weapons in the passing game, the Cowboys also have a formidable ground game with Marion Barber III, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice. Crayton is worth a roster spot as a WR4 or WR5, but I think he’s being drafted a little early (12th round). If last year is an indication, Crayton should have some value in Week 4 (Denver), Week 5 (Kansas City), and Week 12 (Oakland since Nnamdi Asomugha will be matched up with Roy Williams). He plays the Saints in Week 15, but I would have a hard time gambling on him in the fantasy playoffs. I think he’s good for a slight bump over last year with 55 catches for 675 yards and 6 TDs.
Domenik Hixon had a decent year for the Giants with 43 catches for 596 yards and 2 TDs. While he wasn’t a consistent threat, he did have seven games with 57+ yards. He will enter the season as the #1 WR, though he’ll have to hold off Rookie Hakeem Nicks. I wouldn’t really trust any Giant WR for more than a spot duty role, Hixon is worth a roster spot as a WR4 or WR 5. Weeks 4 (Kansas City), 6 (New Orleans) and 12 (Denver) appear to be the best bets. He’s going in the 10th round of fantasy drafts. I’m expecting 65 catches for 780 yard and 4 TDs.
Davone Bess has been moving up draft boards as a trendy sleeper pick. He will have to hold off Greg Camarillo, who is coming off a knee injury. Bess had 54 catches as a Rookie for 554 yards and a TD. He really stepped it up the final six weeks of last year with 35 catches for 366 yards (61 yards per games). Bess is going in the 13th round of fantasy drafts and should get a slight bump in PPR leagues. I would consider him a decent WR4 and a nice WR5 with a ton of upside. I’m looking for 70 catches for 700 yards and 3 TDs.
