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Jamison Crowder

Underrated pass catcher looks like a 2018 value

When the No. 1 type receivers are coming off the board in fantasy drafts this summer, there's one guy who probably won't be selected as that sort of player. Washington's Jamison Crowder doesn't fit the physical profile, but his production does, and offseason reports are very good.

For one thing, he has a strong early rapport with new quarterback Alex Smith. The link notes that Smith has had his most success in recent years while targeting slot receivers.

But also, Crowder is fully healthy, after dealing with hamstring issues last season. And he's in a contract year, motivated to put up big numbers and get paid like one of the league's better performers a year from now. Which he's been the last two years.

Crowder, hamstring issues and competition for targets in Washington's offense and all, has caught 133 balls the last two seasons. That's a top-20 number for wide receivers, up among a bunch of players who will be selected much earlier in most drafts. Better than you might expect.

WIDE RECEIVER RECEPTIONS, 2016-2017
Player2016Yds2017YdsTotal
Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz.10710231091156216
Antonio Brown, Pitt.10612841011533207
Jarvis Landry, Mia.941136112987206
Michael Thomas, N.O.9211371041245196
Golden Tate, Det.911077921003183
DeAndre Hopkins, Hou.78954961378174
Demaryius Thomas, Den.90108383949173
Julio Jones, Atl.831409881444171
Doug Baldwin, Sea.94112875991169
Mike Evans, T.B.961321711001167
Adam Thielen, Minn.69967911276160
Jordy Nelson, G.B.97125753482150
Davante Adams, G.B.7599774885149
T.Y. Hilton, Ind.91144857966148
Stefon Diggs, Minn.8490364849148
Michael Crabtree, Oak.89100358618147
Brandin Cooks, N.E.781173651082143
A.J. Green, Cin.66964751078141
Jamison Crowder, Wash.6784766789133
Amari Cooper, Oak.83115348680131
Mohamed Sanu, Atl.5965367703126
Randall Cobb, G.B.6061066653126
Emmanuel Sanders, Den.79103247555126
Odell Beckham, NYG101136725302126
Mike Wallace, Balt.72101752748124
Sterling Shepard, NYG6568359731124
Dez Bryant, Dall.5079669838119
Marqise Lee, Jac.6385156702119
Pierre Garcon, S.F.79104140500119
Rishard Matthews, Tenn.6594553795118
Tyreek Hill, K.C.42370751183117
Marvin Jones, Det.55930611101116
Adam Humphries, T.B.5562261631116
Brandon LaFell, Cin.6486252548116
DeVante Parker, Mia.5674457670113
Tyrell Williams, LAC69105943728112
Kelvin Benjamin, Buf.-Car.6394148692111
Cole Beasley, Dall.7583336314111
Keenan Allen, LAC6631021393108
Alshon Jeffery, Phil.5282156781108
Ted Ginn, N.O.5475253787107
Jermaine Kearse, NYJ4151065810106
DeSean Jackson, T.B.56100550668106
Robert Woods, LAR4957956781105
Robby Anderson, NYJ4055363941103
Kenny Stills, Mia.4272658847100

Crowder is still a far cry from the likes of Antonio Brown and DeAndre Hopkins. But he looks like a nice target in the middle rounds.

--Andy Richardson

19 Reader Comments:

Dennis Salisbury

Cranston, RI
2018-06-25T13:02:13Z
I just grabbed Crowder in the 8th round in my first draft of the season...Crowder would seem to fit Alex Smith and his ball control passing style. I am finding there is plenty of value and depth in the WR position from rounds 5 through 10 that I have studied. Getting the quality 3rd RB is the challenge I see...or you just have the roll the dice on your 3rd and 4th back is probably the case for most teams.

John Evans

Rochester, MN
2018-06-25T13:57:52Z
I drafted Crowder early last season and ended up dropping him at some point during the season and did so without regret.

But he did improve as the season progressed...so maybe I gamble on him.

Bruce Sadler

Lakeland, FL
2018-06-25T14:14:03Z
J C reminds me of dwayne bowe with a possibly a little higher production

BOB MCKINLAY

Casselberry, FL
2018-06-25T15:32:11Z
Wow Dez Bryant only three more catches than Adam Humphries.

Drew Paterson

Ferndale, WA
2018-06-25T16:01:46Z
Unless you use PPR scoring, hard to imagine this guy being a fantasy difference-maker or a No. 1 Receiver. He's pretty small to be featured around the end-zone where guys like Reed and Thompson should be picking up the TD's (assuming Washington has a better team this season). I would rather take a gamble on Doctson finally breaking through.

BEN HOGEVOLL

Siletz, OR
2018-06-25T16:36:07Z
What interesting and kind of surprising to me is a few teams has two WRs listed here but unless I missed them, at least 2 teams has none!Bears,Browns,.Also NE,Car doesnt have any with Cooks and Benjamin now goen.

Richard Loppnow

Ephrata, WA
2018-06-25T16:43:09Z
Are hamstrings an injury that often recurs from season to season? Asking, not saying. Just seems to me I read that.

Yaesha Newman

2018-06-25T17:06:47Z
Just got magazine!

Dennis Salisbury

Cranston, RI
2018-06-25T17:21:49Z
Yeah I meant PPR scoring for Crowder. He is very PPR dependent...a safer floor in that format! OMG, MAGAZINE is out!

John Evans

Rochester, MN
2018-06-25T18:56:43Z
Is the E-version of the magazine out for anyone?

Dennis Salisbury

Cranston, RI
2018-06-25T19:02:23Z
I do not see the digital version in my store yet.

John Evans

Rochester, MN
2018-06-25T19:15:32Z
I’m on the clock right now in dynasty and boy it would be nice to get the PDF sometime today.

Richard Loppnow

Ephrata, WA
2018-06-25T19:58:45Z
Depending upon how long your clock is, John, maybe if you post a specific question here either Ian or Andy or someone with the physical magazine could answer it for you?

John Evans

Rochester, MN
2018-06-25T20:05:19Z
Thanks Ian. Excellent customer service as usual

Dennis Salisbury

Cranston, RI
2018-06-26T01:39:21Z
When I got home my mag was there on the table....nice job getting it done before the deadline guys!

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2018-06-26T02:01:07Z
Hey Richard - hammies and other soft-tissue injuries are problems for some young players frequently enough that it feels year-to-year. A lot of them learn over time how to properly stretch and otherwise care for their limbs, and often shake the problems for good.

Paul Desimone

Hayward, CA
2018-06-26T02:06:49Z
This mag strikes me as signaling a change of the guard at several positions. Not radically, but significant enough to note. Not going to mention any examples; Ian's the guy who makes a living at this, and I'm just a reader who enjoys putting it to use at the draft and during the season.

BOB MCKINLAY

Casselberry, FL
2018-06-26T03:11:29Z
I like Crowder as a #4wr with 3upside.

Richard Loppnow

Ephrata, WA
2018-06-26T15:38:28Z
Thank you, Paul.
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