Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
With such great wide receivers in the game right now, it’s hard to make a name for yourself. But that certainly is not the case for Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson. Looking at his season-by-season numbers, Jackson has been a premiere fantasy player on a consistent basis. But as we look further into those stats, some startling figures say that Jackson may not be what he appears at face value.
Positives:
He now has a veteran QB in Josh McCown that had great success with a similar wide receiver in Brandon Marshall.
New coach Lovie Smith also proved success with the aforementioned McCown, who he had worked with in Chicago.
Jackson’s targets and receptions have increased each of the past three seasons, even with transitioning QBs, coaches, and teams.
There are more targets to distract defenses with now with the addition of the nearly identical Mike Evans and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
Negatives:
Although Jackson has been a Top 10 wide out in terms of season totals, he’s a player that always keeps his GMs on edge. He gets a great deal of points through single games and will then fade into oblivion for a few games. Once he starts fading, you bench him, only to see him blow up for 30 points unexpectedly. He’s a liability, yet an asset at the same time – you can never tell when to bench or start him, so you always start him.
His catch rate, deep ball percentage, touchdowns, and yards per target/reception have all decreased over the last three seasons – maybe his age is catching up to him. And defenses are starting to really lock down on him.
Just as much as it an asset, the additions of weapons on offense could also hurt Jackson – taking away more targets.
Final Verdict:
Jackson will certainly have a big total at the end of the season. But he could be anywhere from a Top 30 to a Top 10 receiver thanks to the Bucs’ additions on offense. You never know how something will effect Jackson; he’s an anomaly. He’s just too turbulent and unreliable to really trust – just ask me, a guy that has won and lost games single by his production. You’ll live and die by him if you draft him.
Auction Value: $25
Bye Week: 7
Projected Round: 3 (12 team league)
