Last year I felt like the Redskins backfield was ripe with sleepers even before they acquired Tim Hightower after the lockout. That potential for any of the candidates to emerge during training camp or the season led me to create The Crowded Situations category, and this year I like the Rams receiving situation to finally produce at least one or two fantasy relevant options from a group of mostly unproven players.
You may notice that two players are missing from this crop that could factor heavily into the pecking order of St. Louis receivers. Steven Smith, who I believe will lead the team in receiving, was too perfect a fit for The Disappearing Acts category, which he headlines coming off a wasted season in Philly. Danario Alexander meanwhile fell under The Unrealized Potential since the huge, supremely athletic target should lead the Rams in receiving even though his absurdly brittle legs likely won't let him. If either of those two manages to put previous injuries behind him and stand out, it should come as less of a surprise than the crowd that follows.
But first before getting to that crowd, here's a look at the best and worst of the group that fought over the carries in Washington last year:
Best – Roy Helu, an easy choice as the team's only player to have 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Evan Royster does need to get some mention though for finishing as the team's second leading rusher while posting an impressive 5.9 yards per carry.
Worst – James Davis, for getting himself booted off the team after skipping a practice during the preseason without any say so and failing to even stick on the practice squad of any other roster.
The Crowded Situations – Rams wide receivers have been a mixed bag (of mostly garbage) the past four seasons, and aside from Brandon Lloyd immediately establishing himself as a go-to guy after coming mid-year through trade, no one has stood out. With a new coaching staff and some new faces, perhaps this is the year some value comes out of the "Show Me" state's NFC team.
- Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams (6-4, 220 ; age 23)
Like Alexander, the Rams' would-be No. 1 receiver, Quick offers a mouth-watering combination of size and athleticism. And fortunately for Quick, he does not share Alexander's medical records. So even though he is raw as a route runner coming out of Division II Appalachian State, Quick will likely develop into one of, if not the most targeted receiver of Sam Bradford's. Given that he was the 33rd overall pick in the draft and the second player taken by new coach Jeff Fisher, it certainly stands to reason that Quick will get plenty of chances to prove himself as the best receiver in St. Louis.
- Chris Givens, WR, St. Louis Rams (5-11 198 ; age 22)
His 4.4-speed makes Givens the fastest of the Rams' receivers and he should immediately step in as the team's top vertical weapon. If he can absorb the playbook quickly he could challenge during training camp for one of the top three spots in the rotation and Givens even has a chance to outplay fellow rookie Quick if the latter struggles with the learning curve from DII to the pros. With his ability to separate from defensive backs, good overall hands and nice running instincts after the catch, Givens certainly has upside. If he can put it together early, expect him to join Quick, Smith and tight end Lance Kendricks to form a surprisingly talented group of pass catchers in the next year or two.
- Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis Rams (5-11, 188 ; age 26)
Coming back from an elbow dislocation that ended his season in just the first game, Amendola is a lock for the team's final roster and should be the clear starter in the slot. His quickness and crisp routes makes him highly difficult for linebackers or safeties to cover. That ability to get open underneath combined with the chemistry he displayed with Bradford during the quarterback's rookie year should allow Amendola to make a run at once again leading the team in receptions. While his value is stunted dramatically by a lack of touchdowns and a poor yards-per-catch, he remains a strong option in PPR leagues.
- Greg Salas, WR, St. Louis Rams (6-1, 209 ; age 23)
Coming into his rookie season, I really thought Salas would claim at least the No. 3 receiver spot in the Rams' offense. With good size, deceptive athleticism and excellent hands, he seemed a logical fit in Josh McDaniels' pass-heavy scheme. But under the Fisher regime, I'm not as sure. As more of a possession receiver, he fits best in the slot, but the team already has a more proven commodity in Amendola who could be the team's featured slot option. Additionally, Salas is coming off a broken leg that landed him on IR in November. He should be 100|PERCENT| by training camp, but the time he had to spend recovering during the offseason was time he couldn't spend working on his routes and catching balls. His roster spot shouldn't be in question, but Salas will face an uphill battle to become a regular target for Bradford.
- Brandon Gibson, WR, St. Louis Rams (6-0, 205 ; age 24)
Gibson has been second on the Rams in receiving yards in each of his three seasons in the league, but with just 1,399 yards over that span, that's really not saying much. St. Louis has just been that devoid of any wideout talent that somehow Gibson's numbers have been among their best at the position. That's not to say he's a bad player, but no part of Gibson's game stands out as any better than just solid. And with only four scores in three years, he could be on the outside looking in during training camp. If he finds his way onto a team with a better passing attack and in need of depth at receiver, a la Laurent Robinson last season, he could have some value, but the odds are Gibson will barely see the field in 2012.
- Austin Pettis, WR, St. Louis Rams (6-3, 207 ; age 24)
Pettis was a talented playmaker at Boise State who just knew how to get open and seemed to catch everything that came his way, but he struggled mightily to translate those abilities to the Rams during his rookie year. He fought drops and inconsistent playing time en route to just 256 yards and no scores. And to make it worse he had his season cut two games short by a 4-game suspension for performance-enhancing substances, which will also cause him to sit out the first two weeks of 2012. Suffice it to say the young man is behind the eight ball when it comes to making the St. Louis roster. At the same time though, his talent and production in college warranted him being selected in the third round of the draft just a year ago. If he can put together an impressive training camp, he could rise as high as third on the depth chart because of the fluidity of the Rams' situation at receiver. If he does get cut—the more likely story—keep an eye open to see if he resurfaces with a team that might be able to get the best out of him.