Eli Rogers will open the season as the Steelers’ slot WR
Before I jump into Eli Rogers’ and his fantasy outlook now that he is expected to start the season as the No. 3 WR in Pittsburgh, let me first quote an article from earlier in the summer:
“Markus Wheaton is the likely candidate to replace (Martavis) Bryant, leaving (Sammie) Coates to fight for No. 3 duties, but it is my belief that Coates could make a push for No. 2 if Wheaton struggles early on.”
That was the belief of many experts right up until last week. Believe me, I know. That’s an excerpt from my own article from back in June. Now it seems as though Rogers has seized that No. 3 slot role and, barring injury, Coates will settle in as a fantasy irrelevant WR4.
“So who is Eli Rogers?”
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I asked myself this very question when my editor asked me to do an article on him and his fantasy impact for this season. The first thing I learned when I started researching him is — he isn’t a rookie. He was signed by the Steelers last year as an undrafted free agent. He was starting to show some flashes in camp in 2015, but a foot injury dating back to his college days landed him on IR for the season.
This year he locked up a roster spot early in camp when he was named the team’s starting punt returner, a position once occupied by one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, some guy named Antonio Brown. That by itself was impressive, but no one expected him to climb the depth chart as quickly as he has, effectively going from WR5 or WR6 to starting in the slot.
His preseason numbers aren’t exactly mind blowing, having only seven receptions and 64 yards through the first three preseason games, but anyone who watched the games saw a player that should excel as the slot receiver. He is very quick in space and runs excellent routes — just what the Steelers needed. With TE Ladarius Green out indefinitely, Martavis Bryant suspended for the year and RB Le’Veon Bell out for the first three games, there will be plenty of opportunities to shine.
He is currently being drafted as the 84th WR off the board. In other words, not drafted at all in most standard size leagues. I expect that number to rise as word spreads that he will be the starting WR in the slot over Coates, but with about a week to go before the season starts, he could be an excellent late-round flier in any sized league.
I’m not totally giving up on Sammie Coates, so for those dynasty guys, you may want to keep reading. Coates was never really suited for the slot position to begin with, and the rumor was he would overtake Markus Wheaton on the outside, forcing Wheaton to move into the slot. Coates is more in line with Martavis Bryant — a fast, big-play receiver. Wheaton did not impress in relief work for Bryant last year, catching a whopping nine passes in the first five weeks of the season.
It’s my belief that Coates could still push Wheaton for the job on the outside if Wheaton plays the way he did early last year. We could potentially see a WR corps of Antonio Brown, Sammie Coates, and Eli Rogers by as early as Week 3. Maybe I’m just trying to hold onto a shred of dignity after singing his praises all summer, but Coates is still an interesting player to own in deep leagues or dynasty.
Geoff Lambert is a correspondent at FantasyPros. You can read more from Geoff by visiting his site GoingFor2.com or follow him on Twitter @GeoffLambert77.
