Everyone’s New Favorite Dynast Wide Receiver
My Favorite Dynasty Sell High — Golden Tate
With the retirement of Calvin Johnson people are expecting Golden Tate to become a bona — fide WR1 in fantasy next year. Even with the addition of Marvin Jones the first target in the Detroit passing game should be Tate. However, I have doubts about how he will be able to work against teams top corners. Concerns about his size, production with Calvin Johnson in the game, and his quarterback’s play are the main reasons I don’t like Golden Tate in 2016.
Golden Tate lacks the size of a WR 1 in the NFL. At 5–10, 198 lbs he sometimes struggles to succeed against press coverage. His build is more in the mold of a slot receiver while the new addition of Marvin Jones fits the downfield threat mold at 6–2, 198 lbs. Tate is unable to win jump balls against safeties and corners downfield with his height. Marvin Jones and Eric Ebron, an athletic target, are much more able to be downfield threats.
When Calvin Johnson was on the field, Golden Tate was unable to be a reliable target. However, with his retirement Calvin wont be on the field so people will point out Golden Tate’s torrid stretch in 2014 where he lit the fantasy world on fire where Calvin was either out or a decoy. Between weeks 4 — 10 of 2014 (6 games) Golden Tate had 50 receptions for 708 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, the rest of the season (10 games) he had 49 receptions for 623 yards and 1 touchdown. So when Calvin was absent or limited Tate exploded but his limited production the rest of the year and lack of touchdowns overall makes me question if his amazing run was skill or a product of teams not being prepared to defend him as the number one option. Anyone who has a stretch like Tate’s should not be having less production in more games.
Matthew Stafford is still the same gun — slinging, occasionally inaccurate quarterback he has been since he entered the NFL. Matthew Stafford’s main strength his whole career has been throwing downfield which happens to be Tate’s main weakness. Mohamed Sanu and Eric Ebron are much better players suited for going downfield.
Everything seems to point against Golden Tate living up to where he will likely be drafted. I would be thrilled to draft him in the 7th or 8th rounds however I believe his ADP will be in the 5th round. In dynasty I believe selling Golden Tate now is the right thing to do. In terms of rookie picks I would not take anything lower than the 1.04 because this years draft class lacks the type of players who could make substantial impacts outside of Ezekiel Elliot, Laquon Treadwell, Josh Doctson, and Corey Coleman. I would also be trying to sell Tate for a 2017 1st and 2nd.
Golden Tate is going to be off my draft board until later rounds because of his size, production with other targets, and his occasionally inaccurate quarterback. I would much prefer a high upside rookie or running back where he will be drafted.
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