#TomBomb
BUY-LOW DYNASTY ASSETS
~ PITTSBURGH STEELERS ~
3. Eric Ebron
If you are an individual who loves sneaky low-key dynasty additions, you’re just really going to enjoy Mr. Eric Ebron. The second this 4.6 40-yard-dash, athletic monster put pen to paper with the Steelers, Old Tom couldn’t help but think of all the possibilities he’d have available to him given a healthy Ben Roethlisberger. Apparently, Mike Tomlin is having similar thoughts:
Now, if you’re not careful, you may subconsciously find yourself thinking Ebron’s name has been a topic of conversation for quite a while now. Which, consequently, must mean he’s… you know… old. Well, at just 27 years of age, he’s not placeable in that category quite yet. One thing I don’t want to do is discount Vance McDonald and his ability to contribute, in a real-football-sense, to this ball club. He’s a terrific player in his own right and I genuinely think he’s a quality asset to any organization. Nonetheless, Eric Ebron walks into that locker room as the unquestioned TE1. With some pretty monster upside, especially in the touchdown department.
If I may, I’d like to take you back to the year 2018, to give you a glimpse of the vision Old Tom has dancing in his head. It involves a little of Eric and a little of Vance. A sort of Eric McDonald or Vance Ebron combination, if you will.
Two years ago, Ebron clocked in as your TE4 (PPR) with McDonald registering as your TE10 (PPR). Consequently, this was also the last time we saw a healthy Big Ben, which lends itself perfectly to my scenario. In 2018, McDonald was on the receiving end of 610 yards with only 4 touchdowns to show for it. Ebron saw 750 yards and an absurd 13 receiving touchdowns. The more thought given to Ebron’s 2020 run, with his new club, I find that an average of these two campaigns falls directly in line with my prediction. Is this how science works? Probably not. Is this how Old Tom conducts business? Sometimes, as proven right now. Roughly 92 targets, 60 receptions, 700-ish yards, and pushing 10 touchdowns is not out of the question for the forgotten man in this Steelers’ rejuvenated passing attack.
For all the attention that impressive wideout corps will receive, there’s one 6’4 250lb monster you’d be wise not to forget.
2. James Washington
I just want to start this off by telling you that I am quite enthralled with the depth of talent this Pittsburg Steelers’ WR crew has. Back and forth and back and forth Old Tom went with Diontae, Claypool, and Washington. While I can legitimately see all three young men solidify themselves in this league, I finally resolved to confidently run with James. In Mr. Washington, you have arguably the cheapest acquisition with potentially the biggest upside. For the price of admission on this one, it’s almost a no-brainer in my eyes. Much like that coveted #2 WR slot in Green Bay, this Pittsburgh Steelers offense offers just as promising a fantasy upside in the same role.
I suppose any time you throw (pun intended) out a QB who has averaged almost 300 passing yards a game and 4,122 passing yards a season, for his career, it would be wise to invest in his weapons. As pointed out by Mr. Gajewski, James Washington has all the ability in the world of producing when given an opportunity.
An additional note worth being aware of is that from weeks 10-16, not accounting for his 3-target week 17 overall Steelers’ clunker in which Devlin Hodges was only able to accumulate a team-high 95 passing yards, James Washington posted a stat line of 46-30-505-3. Given his 74% snap share, his WR18 finish throughout that stretch isn’t half bad. I mean, if you want to run those numbers across a 16-game slate, just for funsies, you’d be staring at something like 105-69-1,154-7. Okay, you have my attention. Now, there’s no denying this takes on a bit more impressive of a shine when you reveal the names of Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges as the individuals responsible for delivering Washington’s targets over that 7 game-span.
At the end of the day, Old Tom isn’t here telling you that Washington is the next Jerry Rice. All I’m doing is attempting to help you find individuals who have the ability to come up clutch for you, at relatively inexpensive prices. With that said, it is my firm belief that Mr. James Washington fits that mold. The good news is if he hits, you’re walking away with perhaps one of the biggest steals of the offseason, all things considered.
1. JuJu Smith-Schuster
Well, my friends, if you could wind the clock back 365 days and present an argument for Mr. Juju Smith-Schuster wandering his way into a buy-low column, within a year’s time, I am half-certain Old Tom would have cocked his head slightly, with more than a little confusion. I can see it clear as day. The hype around this young man was off the charts. And rightfully so, given his youthful age coupled with his professional development.
Finishing 2017 as your WR23 (PPR) and 2018 as your WR8 (PPR), while still being only 22 years of age, it looked like #19 was about to set the NFL on fire over the course of his post-Antonio Brown Steelers’ career. No doubt, however, the man who felt the Ben Roethlisberger elbow-injury the most, outside of Big Ben himself, was Mr. Smith-Schuster. For all the fun we can have talking about WRs being “QB-proof”, Old Tom isn’t convinced there is such a thing. Especially when foot and knee injuries find their way into the equation. So, here we are. Entering this 2020 NFL season you have a 23-year-old WR on the verge of a pretty monster revenge-tour if ever there was one. As I said back in May, he’s about to fix 2019’s injury-plagued campaign.
Here’s the vision – 365 days from now, we are all sitting around enjoying the fact we capitalized on the buying-window of one of the game’s elite fantasy talents. No doubt, a situation as rare as purple carrots themselves. I can’t wait.
I genuinely thank you for taking the time to read my article and kindly welcome you to follow me on Twitter @BombadilFantasy. This, my friends, is where you’ll find as many #TomBombs as your heart can desire. Remember, while I have quite an extensive history and the wisdom to show for it, I’m still perfecting my craft of fortune-telling. Nonetheless, you have my assurance that you’re in great hands with Old Tom Bombadil. Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo!
