Fantasy football season is just around the corner, which means drafts have begun, mock drafts are in full effect, and degenerates everywhere are preparing for the season. Every year, there are a few rookies that have fantasy value, not just in dynasty leagues, but in redraft as well. Last year, we saw Le’Veon Bell, Eddie Lacy, and even guys like Cordarrelle Patterson and DeAndre Hopkins contribute in year one. Who will it be this year?
This is part nine of a 32-part series, where one offensive rookie from each team will be analyzed, and their fantasy value will be determined. Each player’s ADP, college statistics, depth chart status, and more will be broken down, and a proper value will be placed on each player.
Without further ado, part nine of Rookie Profiles. Meet Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Devin Street.
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 198 pounds
Street came into the NFL as Pittsburgh’s all-time leading receptions leader with 202 catches in four years. However, he did not illustrate the kind of production in any of his four years to be a top tier wide receiver prospect. That is likely one of the reasons he fell to the fifth round. At Pittsburgh, his best year was as a junior, when he caught 73 balls for 975 yards and five touchdowns. His senior year he totaled 854 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games, so he has been getting better each year. However, he was the first skill player drafted by the Cowboys, and despite the odds, he has a chance to compete for playing time right away.
Currently, Street sits as the fourth wideout on the depth chart, behind Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley. We know Beasley is best used in the slot, so Street will be the first sub to enter for either Dez or Williams in most packages. Street’s tall frame has plenty of room for added weight, and he needs to do that considering he is under 200 pounds, but in an NFL weight program, that should be no problem for the former Panther.
Street’s ADP is undrafted in most leagues, but he could be an option in deeper fantasy leagues late in the draft. If any of the Cowboys pass-catchers happens to miss any time, Street will become a viable option off the waiver wire right away, which is rare for a fifth round pick in year one. There is no secret that the Cowboys like big-bodied receivers, as Bryant, Williams, and now Street are all over six feet tall, so they have plans for the young receiver.
For now, keep your hands away from Street unless you are in a very deep league, or of course in dynasty leagues. But he is not far away from seeing the field.
What do the metrics say? Street meets the “threshold” for height, but until he puts on more weight, he could struggle in the red zone, being bodied by stronger safeties or even corners. He ran a 4.55 40 yard dash, a 37 inch vertical, and a very explosive 124 inch broad jump. At 6-foot-3, that is impressive. But, he did not have any dominant performances in a season at Pittsburgh, so the metrics may not support Street. However, the fact remains that he is closer to the field than most fifth round picks, and that cannot be ignored.
Projection: 18 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns.
Statistics and data via NFL.com, Sports-Reference.com, FantasyFootballCalculator.com, Ourlads.com
