Training camp risers to target at the end of your fantasy football drafts
By Raju Byfield
Fantasy Football Camp Impact: Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)
Landon Collins singled out both Terry McLaurin and Jordan Reed as players that have stood out during training camp. Coach Jay Gruden must agree as he played his rookie receiver the first snap of their preseason game and then rested him in an effort to keep him healthy for the regular season.
Terry McLaurin is one of the players new franchise quarterback Dwayne Haskins asked for prior to being selected. He followed up on his ask after being selected by Washington.
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McLaurin has surprised many in Washington’s organization with his stellar play throughout camp. He even made a fool of Josh Norman on this play. Here is what head coach Jay Gruden had to say about his third round receiver:
"“Amazing, really, I didn’t know he was, this good (laughs)…he is a powerful, explosive player, he can really really run, he is detailed with his work, he’s very smart, hes knows, he knows both outside positions, the special teams guys cant get enough of him, but now he’s this good of a wide receiver, I’m like let’s hold back on special teams now, but he has been uh, actually one of our better players in camp”"
Source: Sirius XM NFL Radio on Twitter
McLaurin has impressed both Case Keenum and Colt McCoy, but will truly explode when his college teammate Dwayne Haskins steps foot under center. They showcased incredible chemistry at Ohio State. McLaurin recorded just 2.5 receptions per game, but made the most of them.
Operating in the deep threat/downfield role (more than half of his receiving yards came deep downfield), McLaurin led the team with an eye popping 20.3 yards per reception. Despite only 35 receptions, he piled up 701 receiving yards and was second on the team with 11 touchdowns. Here is what McLaurin had to say about playing with Haskins:
"“When [Haskins and I are] in together, I feel like he’s going to come to me nine times out of 10,” McLaurin said. “Just that familiarity, having that chemistry already built, that’s so important with the quarterback and the receiver. We’re learning a new offense, but the chemistry is still there.”"
Source: Alex Andrejev – Washington Post
McLaurin’s dynasty stock was already set, but his redraft stock is now skyrocketing. Washington has been treated as a wasteland from a fantasy perspective, but with some clarity about who will be manning one of the outside wide receiver positions for most, if not all of the season, McLaurin is set to see a major boost to his 103 wide receiver ECR.
Currently the wide receiver off the board, McLaurin should now be targeted at the end of drafts as a potential lottery ticket.
His ADP (or lack of one) allows owners to treat him as an end of bench flier. He looks set to be named one of teams starting wide receivers and could surprise with boom or bust WR3 value this season. A big play waiting to happen, McLaurin uses his 4.35 speed to separate at will.
Remember his name at the tail end of your drafts, but be cognizant that everyone has seen the same reports that we have, and as such he may be drafted earlier than one may expect. McLaurin has the talent and perceived opportunity to be one of the first 48 wide receivers off the board.