3 Third Year WRs Ready to Take the Next Step

Aside from breakout star Michael Thomas, the 2016 WR class has underperformed as a whole, but expect that to change heading into the 2018 season. After suffering back to back injury riddled seasons in their first two years, Josh Doctson, Sterling Shepard, and Will Fuller all will make significant leaps towards fantasy relevance.

Shepard will immediately reap the benefits of new head coach and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. Shurmur’s 2017 Vikings offense posted 155 receptions, 2,125 yards, and 19 TDs between the team’s top two receivers. With the offseason release of veteran WR Brandon Marshall, Shepard is now locked in as the Giants’ number two WR and will continue this trend of production. Shepard is currently being drafted as WR43, but there is a good chance he finishes as a usable WR3 option for these reasons.

Although he doesn’t have a change in coaching staff, Josh Doctson will see a new face at QB in Alex Smith in 2018. Smith is coming off a career year and will be at the helm of a pass heavy offense, the same one that allowed Cousins to throw for three consecutive 4,000+ yard seasons. Doctson is currently viewed as a low tier flex option, but he is capable of putting up WR2 numbers as a result of his situation as top dog in Washington.

Fuller returns to an offense that is getting superstar rookie QB Deshaun Watson back in action, where together in just four short weeks they combined for seven touchdowns. If Fuller and Watson can both remain healthy, there’s no reason why they can’t pick up right where they left off. Fuller is currently being undervalued, as reuniting with Watson gives him the potential to crack the top 20 for WRs.

2018 is a huge year for these three players, as they must prove to their franchises not only that they can stay healthy, but also that they can produce. Expect the change in scenery in New York, acquisition of Smith in DC, and the return of Watson to H-Town all to contribute heavily to all three of these players leaps this upcoming season.