Fantasy Index

Factoid

Rookie receivers

Four could go over 1,000 yards in their first year

It might be time to change the way we view rookie receivers. Five of them were selected in the first round, and it’s possible that four of them will go over 1,000 yards.

The old rule of thumb has been to wait until the second or third year before a receiver would be expected to break out. Since the merger in 1970, only 12 other wide receivers have gone over 1,000 yards. Either this class is a huge exception, or wide receivers are coming in more pro ready than in the past.

The way Odell Beckham is racking up yards, we can’t dismiss the possibility that he’ll get 158 yards in his final game and take down Anquan Boldin’s rookie record.

Players with 900-plus receiving yards
YearPlayerNoYdsAvgTD
2003Anquan Boldin, Ariz.1011,37713.68
1998Randy Moss, Minn.681,31319.317
2004Michael Clayton, T.B.801,19314.97
1996Terry Glenn, N.E.901,13212.66
1986Bill Brooks, Ind.651,13117.48
2014Odell Beckham Jr., NYG791,12014.211
1986Ernest Givins, Hou.611,06217.44
2011A.J. Green, Cin.651,05716.37
2013Keenan Allen, S.D.711,04614.78
1995Joey Galloway, Sea.671,03915.59
2006Marques Colston, N.O.701,03814.88
1981Cris Collinsworth, Cin.671,00915.18
1978John Jefferson, S.D.561,00117.913
2014Kelvin Benjamin, Car.7299913.99
2014Mike Evans, T.B.6399715.811
2007Dwayne Bowe, K.C.7099514.25
1999Kevin Johnson, Clev.6698614.98
2008Eddie Royal, Den.9198010.85
2003Andre Johnson, Hou.6697614.84
2010Mike Williams, T.B.6596414.811
2011Julio Jones, Atl.5495917.88
1985Eddie Brown, Cin.5394217.88
1985Jerry Rice, S.F.4992718.94
2014Sammy Watkins, Buff.6292514.96
1996Eddie Kennison, St.L.5492417.111
2008DeSean Jackson, Phil.6291214.74
1976Sammy White, Minn.5190617.810

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index