Fantasy Football: 12 Barely-Owned Players to Watch
Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
ESPN Ownership Percentage: 0.9%
Dede Westbrook absolutely put on a show this preseason, catching 13 passes for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns in just three games. His big-play ability was on full display, with an average yards per catch of 22.2 and three catches of 30-plus yards. As a result, graded out as Pro Football Focus' All-Preseason Team's top player this preseason.
Westbrook was a potential first- or second-round talent in this year's draft, but was pushed down the draft board due to off the field issues. The Jags felt confident enough in his abilities to invest a fourth-round pick on him, and his performance this preseason was enough to convince them that that was the correct decision.
There are other factors working in Westbrook's favor. Allen Hurns, who most would have pegged as the team's number two receiver heading into the season, was potentially being shopped by the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason and has been listed as the team's fourth receiver on the most recent depth charts. As a result, Westbrook has stepped into a somewhat regular role as the team's third receiver behind Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee.
His big-play ability makes him worth a shot in deep leagues right away, but more than likely, it would take an injury to one of the team's top-two receivers for Westbrook to make a splash big enough to impact mainstream fantasy. No matter what the size of your league, it's well worth watching the talented young wideout.