Tough to Rank: Javon Walker
My first tough to rank post about Lee Evans was a rousing success, with most of you skeptical that Evans will rise above WR2/3 inconsistency. He was compared to Chris Chambers, Deion Branch, and Andre Johnson, with most responses indicating Fantasy Nation will be down on him going into 2008.
Today we'll look at Javon Walker, although I'm asking for commenters to take an extra step: Give Walker (and future players) a rough position rank: WR20, 35, etc. I'll let you know the averaged results.
My thoughts on Walker have been well documented, so I won't repeat too much. Even if Walker proves healthy, playing with JaMarcus Russell is likely to hurt him. Still, I can't ignore his ceiling. He could finish anywhere from the top-20 to outside the top-40 at wideout.
So where would you put him? Does Walker even get placed above teammate Ronald Curry or former Raider Joey Porter?
Comments
I think Al and Kiffin are far from being on the same page, and just because he was payed like a number 1 doesn't mean he will get to play there. If he looks like he did at the end of last season, he might not get on the field. Preseason is going to tell us a lot. That being said I don't think I would risk drafting him at all, unless he looks spectacular in the pre season. WR 50
Posted by: John | April 1, 2008 03:16 PM
in 2006. He caught 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns...
So what the heck are you people talking about? How can you say he wasn't the same afterwards. Short term memory lapses? He average the same per catch that he did in his big GB season in 2004.
Last year, no running game, no O-Line and a rookie QB, then his knee goes.
I will acknowledge he is no longer top 15 material, healthy or not.
BUT, you guys are forgetting that JaMarcus Russell's strength is throwing deep balls and as you admitted, the Raider run game is at least competent. Ron Curry is a decent WR2 across from him.
If healthy, a 900 yard 7 TD season is reasonable.
Posted by: Peter B | April 1, 2008 04:28 PM
Lot of risk here.
The QB position isn't stabilized, nor is their OL.
Walker thinks awhfully highly of himself. But what has he done lately?
I have to think that he has been slowed by the injuries.
I wouldn't rate him in the top 50.
Posted by: DoobieBros | April 1, 2008 04:47 PM
I wouldn't even rank him. Look more at reality rather than perception. Take away the name Javon Walker then look at his stats from last year and the injury. Now put him in Oakland - the place that made Randy Moss a #3 WR on most fantasy teams in 2006. I know the coaching staff has changed since Moss's days, but the losing mentality remains strong in Oaktown. Just thank the guy who takes him in the 7/8th round range.
Posted by: The JPO | April 1, 2008 09:32 PM