Alshon Jeffery underwent offseason shoulder surgery and is currently on the PUP list. A report yesterday indicated he could stay there into the regular season, which would keep him out for the first six games, making him essentially undraftable. And increasing the value of the team's other pass catchers.
Torrey Smith is also gone, so there are a couple of opportunities, especially should Jeffery miss regular-season action. Who will benefit?
Nelson Agholor (pictured), definitely. As we've pointed out, rather quietly he was actually a little better than Jeffery last season: more receptions, and just as many touchdowns in the regular season. With Smith gone and Jeffery potentially out of the equation the first six weeks, he'll need to do more.
Free-agent signing Mike Wallace is another possibility. The idea was probably that he'd replace Smith, but he's been a little more well-rounded in his career; not just a deep threat.
And then there's Mack Hollins. Last year's fourth-rounder out of North Carolina flashed in the preseason, catching 13 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. He went 4-64-1 in the first exhibtion, with a 38-yard score, having us all wondering if he'd be a breakout rookie.
It didn't happen, but it's a new year. This story at Philly.com discusses him. Only problem is there really haven't been any positive camp reports; both Hollins and Agholor, in fact, have missed some practice time as well. Hollins did play in the exhibition opener, seeing one target.
So not a lot to go on with either player, beyond the fact they'll need to do more. Perhaps second tight end Dallas Goedert will be on the field more often, as well; he was the leading receiver in the first preseason game.
But the safest guy to bump up the rankings is Agholor. He's better than most give him credit for, and was the team's top performer at wideout a year ago. A lot of big-play ability, as well. His 8 TD catches last year averaged 28 yards; only six players (among those that caught 5 TDs) had a higher average.
| WIDE RECEIVER TDS, 2017 (5-PLUS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Avg | TDC |
| Tyreek Hill, K.C. | 58.3 | 7 |
| Robby Anderson, NYJ | 37.3 | 7 |
| Amari Cooper, Oak. | 37.0 | 7 |
| Golden Tate, Det. | 34.4 | 5 |
| Robert Woods, LAR | 32.6 | 5 |
| Will Fuller, Hou. | 28.7 | 7 |
| Nelson Agholor, Phil. | 28.1 | 8 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pitt. | 26.9 | 7 |
| A.J. Green, Cin. | 26.6 | 8 |
| Kenny Stills, Mia. | 25.7 | 6 |
| Paul Richardson, Sea. | 23.8 | 6 |
| Josh Doctson, Wash. | 23.3 | 6 |
| Brandin Cooks, N.E. | 22.7 | 7 |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 22.0 | 5 |
| Doug Baldwin, Sea. | 20.5 | 8 |
| Jermaine Kearse, NYJ | 20.2 | 5 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 19.5 | 13 |
| Marvin Jones, Det. | 19.0 | 9 |
| Davante Adams, G.B. | 18.7 | 10 |
| Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 17.9 | 9 |
| Devin Funchess, Car. | 17.8 | 8 |
| Stefon Diggs, Minn. | 17.3 | 8 |
| Alshon Jeffery, Phil. | 15.9 | 9 |
| Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 15.5 | 6 |
| Dez Bryant, Dall. | 15.5 | 6 |
| Chris Hogan, N.E. | 14.8 | 5 |
| Sammy Watkins, LAR | 14.8 | 8 |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 13.8 | 6 |
| Cooper Kupp, LAR | 12.6 | 5 |
| Michael Crabtree, Oak. | 12.4 | 8 |
| Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 10.2 | 5 |
| Jordy Nelson, G.B. | 9.7 | 6 |
| Mohamed Sanu, Atl. | 5.6 | 5 |
| Jarvis Landry, Mia. | 4.9 | 9 |
| Michael Thomas, N.O. | 4.6 | 5 |
If you're drafting today, give Agholor a slight bump, and maybe Wallace gets in the conversation as a late-rounder. Hollins as a last-round pick in very deep leagues.
--Andy Richardson