RADIO
Terrelle Pryor was a breakout fantasy star in 2016, but that might have just been the appetizer to what he can do this season for a main course.
Many experts thought Pryor would drown in multi-millions when he hit the free-agent market after racking up 77 receptions for 1,004 yards in his first full season as a wide receiver. Instead, the converted quarterback settled for a one-year, $6 million deal with the Washington Redskins. Now, he has to prove he was not a one-year wonder who benefited from being the only receiving threat in Cleveland.
Pryor is still a raw receiver whose physical skills can make up for the fact that his route running is far from Jerry Rice-like. He has great size at 6’4”, so he can reach over smaller cornerbacks and also has the world-class speed to break big gains every time he touches the football. Considering Pryor had a 1,000-yard year in his first season as a full-time WR, and did it playing with the worst corral of quarterbacks in the NFL, the sky is the limit to what his fantasy potential can be. Here is a look at the fantasy ramifications of Pryor joining the Redskins:
Featured Promo: Get any full-season NFL Premium Pass for 50% off and win big in 2022. Exclusive access to our Premium articles, 15 lineup tools, new Team Sync platform, Lineup Optimizer, Premium DFS tools and cheat sheets, and much more! Sign Up Now!
Terrelle Pryor’s Impact in Washington
Washington has almost as many injury-prone pass catchers these days as politicians. Talented tight end Jordan Reed is perpetually injured and is probably one concussion away from having to call it a career. Former first-round pick Josh Doctson caught a pair of passes last year before his season was ended by an Achilles issue. Pryor might be the only healthy receiver on the roster by Week 4.
Pryor was not brought in to be the No. 3 or No. 4 option in the Redskins passing attack. Jamison Crowder is too small to be the go-to guy, while Doctson has to prove he can stay healthy for more than a quarter.
Pryor had 1,000 yards with a Cleveland carousel of quarterbacks that included Kevin Hogan, Cody Kessler, Charlie Whitehurst (seriously), Josh McCown, Robert Griffin III and Tim Couch (I made that one up). Unlike other receivers who are only as good as the quarterbacks throwing to them, Pryor has proven he can turn quarterback lemons into fantasy lemonade.
Pryor will be coached by an offensive-minded head man in Jay Gruden and will have a quarterback passing to him in Kirk Cousins who almost threw for 5,000 yards last season. He will also have teammates who can keep defenses from double-teaming him because they will demand coverage. Pryor only averaged 2.5 yards after catch last season, which was much less than the aforementioned Crowder and former 'Skin Pierre Garcon, but you would think that number would go up in Gruden’s offense where receivers are given opportunities to make plays downfield and in the open field.
The one negative about Pryor picking Washington is that his target total will diminish. He was targeted 140 times in 2016, while no other Browns receiver was aimed at more than 81 times. Meanwhile, the Redskins had four receivers with between 87-to-116 targets, so their offense is built around spreading the ball around, not focusing on one receiver and making him the workhorse. I’d look for Pryor to be targeted 105-120 times, although the number could go up if Reed and/or Doctson is eliminated from the equation due to injury.
How Will This Affect Other Players?
Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins (QB)
Cousins has had plenty of tumult to deal with this offseason between his contract status, Washington’s front office shakeup and his receiving corps losing its top two wideouts in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, a tandem that combined for 135 receptions and 2,046 yards last season. At least landing Pryor as a potential No. 1 WR with tremendous upside has to at least give Cousins some hope heading into the 2017 campaign.
Cousins might not have the veteran leadership among his pass catchers now that Jackson and Garcon have signed elsewhere, but the overall talent of his group may eventually turn out to be better if Pryor, Crowder and Doctson improve and Reed avoids another concussion or major injury. Cousins had 4,971 passing yards and 25 touchdown tosses in 2016. Pryor’s arrival will not cause those numbers to take a tumble, and if anything Pryor could help Cousins reach either or both the 5,000-yard and 30-TD plateaus.
Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins (WR)
Crowder had 67 receptions for 847 yards and seven scores in his second season, pretty impressive considering he was Washington’s No. 3 receiver. Because of his smallish size (5’8”, 182 lb) he is perfect as a slot receiver, so Pryor will not be taking his spot, although he will be taking some of Crowder’s catches and targets presumably.
But even with Pryor in the fold, the ever-improving Crowder should see a decent amount of targets, especially if Reed and/or Doctson find more ways to hurt themselves. Pryor has a better chance of having a 1,000-yard year, but Crowder should be able to duplicate his 2016 numbers in 2017 and be an above-average option in PPR leagues.
Corey Coleman, Cleveland Browns (WR)
Coleman was quickly anointed as Cleveland’s No. 1 receiver early last season when he darted out of the gate with 173 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the Browns’ opening two contests. But Coleman then went down with an injury, and that is when Pryor became the top target in Cleveland’s porous passing attack. When Coleman returned he never became a fantasy force again and was probably dropped in millions of fantasy leagues.
Cleveland signed Kenny Britt this offseason, but Coleman could re-emerge as Cleveland’s best receiver. The former first-rounder has big-play ability and just needs a QB who can consistently put the ball in his bread basket. Newly-acquired Brock Osweiler, who killed DeAndre Hopkins’ fantasy value this past season, is not the answer. Pryor signing with Washington opens up opportunities for Coleman, but it is meaningless unless Cleveland’s hapless front office couples Coleman with a halfway decent signal caller.
Keep tabs on Rotoballer's NFL page for the latest reaction and analysis to free agent moves in order to stay ahead of the game.
