We are getting closer and closer to the end of the year with most leagues winding down either this week or next. Luckily, we play dynasty where the season never ends. Many teams have either been hit by injuries or COVID this season, and that has led to us getting extended views at players we probably wouldn’t see otherwise. One player who got an extended look this week was Chad Beebe. Son of former NFL wide receiver Don Beebe. Chad has some interesting measurables and is someone that is currently owned in only 0.1% of ESPN leagues. Chad had a big mishap on special teams on Sunday but also had his best game as a pro. He tallied 7 receptions for 63 yards and a score. Let’s get into it.
College Career
Chad Beebe went undrafted out of Northern Illinois and for good reason, as he did not produce huge numbers while at NIU. In his entire career in college, he posted a mere 64 receptions for 930 yards and 3 touchdowns over four years. Chad also had his share of injuries in college, which hampered his production at NIU. He suffered a gruesome arm injury and a knee injury all of which he came back from to continue his career. Chad Beebe is a guy that has continually beaten the odds throughout his career.
Pro Career
Beebe was an undrafted free agent who got offers from two teams to attend rookie mini-camp, the Vikings and the Colts (where his father’s former teammate, Frank Reich, was the coach). He eventually caught on with the Vikings. He spent the first eight weeks on the practice squad in 2018 before getting promoted to the active squad. In his first regular-season game action, he caught 3 balls for 21 yards against the Lions. In 2019 injuries caused Beebe to lose most of 2019 after being on the active roster for the first 3 weeks of that season. Vikings fans and the media began grumbling about Beebe’s position on the team and started to question why he was on the team at all coming into 2020.
Beebe is in his 3rd season as a Viking and has seen a bump in playing time. He is currently 3rd in playing time at the receiver position at 27% of snaps behind rookie standout Justin Jefferson and highly productive veteran Adam Thielen. Olabisi Johnson is his current competition and both are warranted pickups in dynasty leagues. Beebe seems to have a unique ability to get open in tight spaces. He has received 19 targets on the year and has caught 73% of them. Week 12 basically showed what kind of player Beebe is. He muffed a punt late in the game against Carolina, only to come back with 3 catches, 28 yards, and catching the game-winning touchdown on the last drive to clinch the win.
After the game, Kirk Cousins had some nice things to say about Beebe. “I was really encouraged by the last few weeks of him getting out there and being able to make some more plays for us. He’s a great player, and he showed it today. He’s a guy where if we give him opportunities, he’s going to make plays.”
Future Outlook
Chad Beebe is in the last year of his contract, and, I will not lie to you, he doesn’t have great speed, but he does have good agility. His Player Profiler comp to Wes Welker isn’t half bad either. Another similarity between Beebe and Welker is their contract situations at this point in their careers. Beebe will be a restricted free agent this summer and could get himself in a favorable position to help his fantasy value. While I do believe the Vikings would like to bring him back on a cheap deal, it isn’t ideal for his fantasy production. Beebe would be a nice PPR asset if he could land on a team that uses their slot receiver a lot in the passing game. Beebe is not an electric athlete but has a knack for getting open and wiggling free. He will not wow you, and even when he does get some room, he does not have game-breaking speed.
What you are hoping for when you add Beebe to the end of your bench is more of what we saw in Week 12. A solid outing that he can produce over and over again. I like adding Beebe, and if he is owned in your league, he can be had for cheap due to injury concern and his age. Chad Beebe could be a sneaky RFA pickup going into free agency next season. I understand if you think the risk is too high or he is too old, but Beebe has been counted out time and time again. I believe he can be productive given the right opportunity.
For some fun, check out this Mic’d up with Chad Beebe.
Previous Dynasty Sleepers of the Week
Thanks for checking out this week’s Dynasty Sleeper of the Week. I look forward to Week 13 action and finding you some more gems throughout the season. Honorable mentions for this week were: Steve Williams Jr. (HOU), Austin Mack (NYG), Cameron Batson (TEN), Rodney Smith (CAR), and Ito Smith (ATL). Follow me at @Cmoney52 on Twitter. You can message me or shoot me a tweet if there are players you would like to be featured in this segment.
