As a dynasty owner, one must think beyond the upcoming season and more into the future of their franchise.
One important area of focus for every dynasty owner should be which players are entering a “contract year”. The possibility of free agency not only impacts the player themselves but their former and future team’s depth chart and the
players that currently make that up.
NFL Players who are entering a contract year have that extra incentive to showcase their ability to play in the NFL in hopes of earning that blockbuster contract and therefore should be strongly considered by dynasty owners when making final roster decisions during the offseason.
This four-part series continues with six wide receivers who are entering the final year of their contract and hoping to capitalize on a solid year of production before they become an unrestricted free agent and have all the leverage unless a team chooses to assign the franchise tag to buy them another year at an inflated cost or, in some cases, a restricted free agent where their current team has the option to match any offers or receive a tender for the loss.
T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis colts):
T.Y. has had a very successful 8-year NFL career while only failing to eclipse 60 receptions and 1000 yards twice since his rookie campaign. Last year, however, was his lowest totals including his rookie year as he suffered a calf tear which he recently reported was 3 cm wide resulting in him missing 6 games and only producing 45 catches for 501 yards so this is a big year for Hilton as he pursues what could be the last big contract of his career for the Colts receiver who will turn 31 this fall.
Outlook for 2020:
T.Y. is entering the final year of a 5-year extension he signed with no guarantees for this year so the Colts and Hilton are hoping to agree to another extension although Hilton may be hesitant to sign that extension without a commitment from the organization to secure a quarterback beyond newly acquired Philip Rivers who was signed for a year to hold down the fort while they decide what they want to do long term at the quarterback position.
Everything considered I can see T.Y. playing through his contract which he is set to earn over $14.5 million this year see how things play out this year and the team may be in the same mindset as they are likely to draft a quarterback early if the right opportunity is there.
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The Colts do not have a pick in the 1st round of the 2020 draft but do have two early picks in the 2nd round and I fully expect them to package some picks and/or players to trade up to get the quarterback in the 2020 draft which may help them secure Hilton for a couple more seasons.
A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals):
A.J. injured his ankle last year which resulted in him missing the 2019 season but the Bengals still decided to assign the franchise tag to him which indicates that they are confident he will return healthy and ready to go.
Outlook for 2020:
Green will turn 32 this summer so it makes sense that he is fine with being franchised but I’m not sure it makes sense for the Bengals to pay him over $18 million this year when they are a team that is rebuilding and likely to start that rebuild by drafting a quarterback with the first overall pick in this year’s draft but that is exactly where they are.
Unless Green and the Bengals somehow have a notable season and make the playoffs or at least come close, I fully expect them to part ways either through a trade or by the team not resigning him after the season. If that is the case it will leave Green searching for a job with a quality team that is looking for a veteran receiver in hopes that he can help elevate their offense to help them take a team to the playoffs and beyond.
That is all, of course, if he shows that he can still produce at a quality level this year as he has shown in the past. If not, there is another Bengal receiver, John Ross, who is chomping at the bit to get his chance to prove his worth before his contract ends next year but Ross has struggled with injuries such as his most recent one with his collarbone but it’s a tough time for a Bengal receiver to showcase their talent with likely having to develop chemistry with a new quarterback.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (Pittsburgh Steelers):
This will be an interesting story to follow as the local media in Pittsburgh are claiming the Steelers will not retain JuJu after his contract expires next year due to the organization’s long history of letting their star wide receivers go after failing to agree on a contract.
This is very true after watching the team let players anywhere from Plaxico Burress to Emmanuel Sanders hit the streets and test the market which has ended with them continuing their career with another team.
Outlook for 2020:
JuJu certainly has a lot to prove in 2020 if wants to land a nice contract whether it be with the Steelers or another team as he is coming off a very lackluster after missing 4 games but even still only finishing with a very unimpressive 42 catches for 552 yards and just 3 touchdowns off of 69 targets.
To JuJu’s defense, he was trying to catch passes from inexperienced quarterbacks most of the season but he doesn’t improve greatly on last year’s numbers with Ben Roethlisberger back under center, he likely will not be with the Steelers next year and will not get a big contract obviously.
JuJu certainly appears to have great character and talent but I am not banking on him calling the steel city home after this year which is why I have been trying to acquire Diontae Johnson in dynasty leagues wherever I can for a fair price knowing what we do today.
Unfortunately, most owners are aware that they have a possible future star and are not willing to part ways with Johnson for fair market value today which I can appreciate as I likely would not either.
Will Fuller (Houston Texans):
Fuller easily displayed the ability to surpass 1000 yards receiving and 70 catches last year but his season was limited due to a groin injury that wouldn’t go away. In 2020, he will need to prove that he can stay healthy and continue to produce the way he did last when he was able to play.
Outlook for 2020:
Fuller’s big-play ability didn’t go unnoticed and will hopefully revive his career next year in his journey to earning a new contract provided he can stay healthy.
A groin injury is one that can have a bigger impact on speedy receivers like Fuller but is not considered to be a major injury for the long haul.
With the potential departure of DeAndre Hopkins pending physical results from both he and Cardinals running back David Johnson, Fuller will have every opportunity to earn his next big contract. But at the same time, he could use another quality receiver to line up on the opposite side of the field to relieve pressure from the defense.
I do not believe Fuller will let his owners down as we approach the 2020 season and convincing the Texans to give him a new contract next year but he must stay healthy in order for that to happen.
Sammy Watkins (Kansas City Chiefs):
Even though Sammy didn’t have a large role in the Chiefs success last year during the regular season after week one, he was a major contributor in the postseason which led to the Chiefs hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 50 years as he managed to gain nearly 300 yards from 14 catches and also scored a touchdown.
Outlook for 2020:
With the Chiefs set to absorb a large hit on their salary cap with Watkins on their roster, there was strong speculation that they were going to release him but the two sides came together on an agreement for him to restructure with the opportunity for Watkins to not lose money through incentives in his new contract. That still leaves Sammy as a free agent next year so he has plenty of motivation to showcase the ability he displayed in the playoffs last year so don’t sleep on this guy as the soon to be 27 year old has plenty left in the tank.
Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams):
After tearing his ACL in 2018, Kupp rebounded with a great season last year with a high catch percentage after finishing the season catching 94 of 134 targets for 1131 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Outlook for 2020:
If Kupp can continue at his 2019 pace, he will be in line for a nice payday and the Rams would be foolish to let him test the market which I do not see happening. I am a big fan of Cooper and will not sell him cheap as he is one of those guys that you can count on week in and week out to produce consistent numbers and has the potential to escalate those numbers when the game plan falls in place.
If you are considering moving Kupp, I would think twice unless you get an offer that too good to pass on because consistent receivers are a necessity in dynasty and not just a luxury.
In Summary:
2020 looks to be a big year for wide receivers as there plenty of them who have contracts expiring. You can add the likes of Keenan Allen/Mike Williams from the Chargers, Corey Davis and Allen Robinson to the list of those mentioned above which is quite an impressive group.
There are questions such as these prior to the start of every NFL season and it’s never too early to start thinking about next year if you are an owner of a dynasty fantasy team so don’t fall asleep while others are still on the clock working to better the future of their dynasty team.
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