Lately, rookie wide receivers have been making big splashes in the NFL, and quickly emerging as viable fantasy football options. As preseason unfolds, it’s important to keep an eye on who is getting the workload with the starters as you stay on the prowl for players who could be a useful fantasy football sleeper.
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One rookie to keep an eye on camp this season, is Breshad Perriman who the Baltimore Ravens drafted in the first round out of the University of Central Florida. Perriman’s name may seem familiar at the wide receiver spot since his dad Brett Perriman played ten years in the NFL for the Saints, Lions, Chiefs, and Dolphins
Coming into the NFL draft, Breshad Perriman was viewed as a boom or bust prospect, and he’ll be the same for fantasy teams this year as he slides into his first season in an NFL offense. Perriman has a unique blend of size and speed but is viewed as still “raw” as a route-runner.
One thing that isn’t working in favor of Perriman’s quick growth is his health. He injured his knee by landing on it hard early in workouts and has been forced to miss some time. If he can return quickly, he can develop a meaningful rapport with Joe Flacco and quickly give the team a vertical threat. He has the raw tools to start right away across from veteran Steve Smith and fill the roll that Torrey Smith started in last season. Torrey Smith signed this offseason with the 49ers and Perriman and Marlon Brown are battling in camp to see who can earn the starting spot across from Steve Smith.
Both Perriman and Brown are dealing with injuries early in camp, and whichever one can get on the field and get healthy will have a huge advantage in the position battle. Perriman is definitely in a situation to monitor as preseason begins.
Remember the Ravens offense should be more vertical this season as they transition from offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak to Marc Trestman. Trestman can definitely showcase big targets as he showed the last few years turning Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall into fantasy gold.
As far as where you should target Perriman, I would try to avoid needing him to come through, but he can definitely be a great pickup as wide receiver depth based on his huge upside. Perriman is currently averaging the 43rd receiver off the board according to fantasypros.com which is a great place to get him. If you can target him in the ninth or tenth round of your standard-size draft, he makes a great fourth or fifth receiver.
Keep a close eye on his situation as it develops the rest of the preseason as well, since he has a great opportunity ahead of him if he can get healthy and quickly adjust to the Ravens attack. I see Perriman as the second-most valuable rookie wide receiver behind only the Raiders’ Amari Cooper.