Two Unsexy Picks to Bolster Your WR3/Flex Slot

With the NFL Draft in the rear-view mirror and Rookie minicamps underway, Redraft season is soon approaching. While the average draft position of many players will fluctuate as the summer rolls along, here are two names I’m currently targeting in Redraft leagues. 

Marvin Jones (WR – JAX)

It’s too early to tell what the Redraft ADP will truly read, but Marvin Jones Jr. deserves some consideration in the later rounds as an undervalued WR. It’s no mystery that he had a down season in 2021, finishing as WR34 after being the Jaguars’ priority offseason signing. But did you know he received the most targets he’s ever had in a season? Let’s look ahead to 2022.

Jones’ 2021 numbers don’t look too different from previous years: he had 73 receptions (second-most of his career), 832 yards, but only four TDs. While you may think that the low touchdown count was the reason for his down season, giving him eight touchdowns on the season would still have seen him finish outside of the top 25 WRs in PPR scoring. What changed in his first season with the Jaguars was how and where on the field he was being used. Jones’ average yards per target (6.93) was significantly lower in 2021 than in any of his previous seasons with the Lions or Bengals – in fact almost a full yard less than his post-ankle fracture year of 2015. His yards per catch suffered just the same, coming in at a career-worst 11.4. He also had his lowest yards before catch per reception and average depth of target, coming in at 9.6 and 11.9 yards, respectively. His longest catch on the season? Just 33 yards, his shortest since his rookie season.

While Trevor Lawrence had an undoubtedly poor season throwing the football, it’s safe to assume there will be positive regression and a brighter future ahead for the 2021 #1 overall pick. With Urban Meyer gone and a new regime in place, we can hopefully expect more than 12 passing touchdowns from Lawrence. And doesn’t knowing Jones caught one-third of Lawrence’s total TD passes on the season make you feel better? The Jaguars continued rebuilding and supporting their QB with the pieces he needs this offseason. They paid Christian Kirk a hefty contract and brought him in to be their WR1. Kirk had his best season in 2021, moving into the slot on a nearly full-time basis. He saw 406 snaps from the slot and should undoubtedly help the offense overall allowing Jones to return to what he does best: catch touchdowns and make splash plays down the field. He has the eighth-most Rec TDs out of all active WRs in the NFL since 2012, even having missed 32 games along the stretch. I expect that Jones will likely retain a similar role as one of Lawrence’s favorite targets, especially with D.J. Chark leaving in free agency. With even just a slight improvement from Lawrence, he can expect to have a bounceback season, and the volume should remain consistent.

While Marvin Jones may not be a league winner or a popular name on any platform, he comes in as a great value for 2022. Before last season, most platforms had his ADP at WR54. Assuming his price is similar (early indications show him being drafted outside of the top 60 WR behind names like Robby Anderson and Jamison Crowder). I’ll be drafting Marvin whenever possible as a more Boom-than-Bust WR3 option or an excellent depth piece. 

Allen Lazard (WR – GB)

Currently residing outside of the top 45 wide receivers off the board in Redraft leagues, Allen Lazard is the other player I’m banging the proverbial drum for this offseason. When I drafted Christian Watson in DFF Mock Draft 3.0 I noted his versatility and that he would push for work on the field beyond just a receiver. With Aaron Rodgers, more than most quarterbacks, trust and chemistry are integral to earning targets in the offense. Just look at Davante Adams the last few seasons. Lazard however has increasingly become a pass-catcher Rodgers is fond of, and had the best season of his career in 2021 (40/513/8). According to PFF, Lazard was second in the league when it came to Passer Rating When Targeted, at 149.3. 

Rodgers continuously rewarded Lazard for his ability to get open, especially against press coverage. His Target Quality Rating, a number PlayerProfiler calculates that combines catchable targets with average Depth of Target (aDOT), ranked 11th in the league. That metric also takes into account catchable deep targets vs short targets, stressing Rodgers’ eyes for him downfield. Listed anywhere between 6’3” and 6’5” depending on where you look, he also proved to be a favorite for Rodgers in the end zone. He saw 16 red zone targets, putting him squarely in the top 20 among receivers. 

Although Lazard only saw 60 targets on the season, the fantasy implications of those targets were tremendous. He scored 2.375 fantasy points per target, ranking sixth in the league. At the end of the season, Lazard really turned it up a notch with three straight games with a touchdown to close things out (with two in Week 18).

The Packers have made underwhelming moves thus far this offseason, replacing Davante Adams with Sammy Watkins and drafting Watson. Lazard now has the chance to be Rodgers’ favorite target for much of the season with Adams gone. Randall Cobb, Robert Tonyan, and the running back room figure to play a somewhat prominent role in the passing offense, but Lazard should still be a go-to in the red zone and on important downs. I expect him to receive the most targets of his career, and while he may not be as productive as most other teams’ WR1s, I see 90+ targets and 10+ touchdowns as a very real possibility. Currently going in Round 8 at the earliest, you likely will draft him as your WR4 or deeper. And I’m taking that shot every. single. time. 

Don’t forget to check out DFF memberships (found HERE) where you can find more Dynasty, Devy, IDP, and Redraft content year-round. Come join the #DFFArmy!

To discuss anything in this article, or ask anything fantasy football, you can find me on Twitter @1stat1day, Conan Grune (Cordarrelle Statterson). Thanks again!