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Is Kenny Golladay Primed to Breakout in 2019?

By Matthew Catalano

Kenny Golladay: DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 29: Kenny Golladay #19 of the Detroit Lions runs for a touchdown after catching a pass from Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Kenny Golladay: DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 29: Kenny Golladay #19 of the Detroit Lions runs for a touchdown after catching a pass from Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on December 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Fantasy managers from all around are always looking for the next big thing. The player who will help give them that extra edge in defeating their opponents on game day. Is Kenny Golladay that guy?

A draft pick or waiver wire acquisition that makes them look like geniuses when the season is all said and done. Well, it is highly likely that Kenny Golladay maybe that next guy.

I know, I know, a lot of sports critics and fans were saying the same thing about him last year, but this year may just be the year. In 2018, Golladay’s numbers were respectable as he racked up 1,063 yards on 70 catches and five touchdowns. He managed to do all this with an injured Matthew Stafford and without Marvin Jones Jr. around for half the season last year.

While these numbers were very good for any receiver, there’s a very good chance that we have yet to see what Golladay is truly capable of. The Lions have not had a talent this special since the days of Calvin Johnson from 2007-2015, and that is certainly saying something.

2019 is a new season, and now that Stafford appears to be healthy once again, it may be time to see what Golladay’s full potential is on the field.

Having Marvin Jones come back, as well as other receivers like Danny Amendola around may benefit Golladay rather than hurt him in the stat department. Guys like Jones and Amendola may detract some of the attention off of Golladay from defenses, making it slightly easier for him to take advantage of in key one-on-one situations.

Some have nicknamed Golladay as “Babytron” due to his sheer size and strength much like during the days of when Calvin Johnson was present. He currently checks in at six-foot-four, and 218 lbs, which is a nightmare for even the best corner-backs to deal with. Fantasy managers could very well be looking at a potential stud wide receiver soon.

In 2018, Golladay’s size paid off as he accounted for a little over 35% of the team’s end zone target shares. Also, he nearly averaged eight targets per game, and now with a healthy Stafford, that number could easily rise into the double-digits.

In fantasy drafts and mock drafts alike, Golladay is currently going somewhere around the end of the fourth round. It’s not a bad spot for Golladay’s fantasy production up until this point, but if he is to breakout this season as expected, his draft stock will be significantly higher at this time next year.

Also consider this, the Lions do not have any other big target receivers currently on their roster. While Jones and Amendola are great complementary receivers, they do not have the same potential as someone like Golladay.

Furthermore, the Lions have an unproven commodity at the tight end position with first round pick T.J. Hockenson.

Despite the incredible ceiling Hockenson possesses, he lacks rapport with Stafford unlike Golladay. Of course Hockenson will hopefully gain rapport with Stafford to help his own career but that is a discussion for another time since our focus is geared towards Kenny Golladay.

With these factors to be considered, which include rapport with his quarterback, experience, size, and athleticism, Golladay appears to be the clear-cut number one receiver in the Motor City.

Consistency is going to be the key to success for Kenny Golladay, as it is for pretty much every other receiver in the league. There were weeks last year where Golladay completely dominated the field and others where he seemed to just vanish of the face of the earth.

Let’s take for example Week’s 10 and 11 of 2018. Kenny Golladay had a field day against the Bears and Panthers as he hauled in a combined 14 passes on 28 targets for a grand total of 191 yards and two touchdowns.

Conversely the following three games against the Bears, Rams and Cardinals, Kenny was only able to muster 10 catches on 20 targets for 145 yards and no scores.

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Again a lot of factors such as Matthew Stafford not playing fully healthy and Marvin Jones not being around to take some of the pressure off could be a big cause for these stat fluctuations.

If “Babytron” can get this under control, which he is more than capable of doing, then all of his faults from the previous two seasons will be an afterthought.

In 2017 Golladay showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie campaign. In 2018, he took a huge step forward as he topped over 1,000 yards and had 70 receptions in his sophomore season with an injured starting quarterback. Now 2019 is his third year and he looks to take the next leap in his career.

With a better supporting cast both in the air and on the ground, Golladay could very well be a fantasy WR1 this season. He’s experienced some growing pains over the first two seasons of his career, but it seems it has made him better as a player. Sometimes, a little adversity is good and it can make people stronger.

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That’s exactly what may be happening with Golladay right now. If all goes well, Detroit may have found their replacement for Calvin Johnson after he stepped away from the game in 2015. It all depends on how it translates on the field, but things are shaping up to be something special in 2019 for “Babytron”.

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