Fantasy Sleepers in 2010: WR Davone Bess
Posted on 27. Jul, 2010 by Brandon LaClair in Columns, Draft Strategy
Davone who? Davone Bess, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins. Bess is currently competing with Brian Hartline and Greg Camarillo for a starting job opposite Brandon Marshall in 2010. In 2009, Bess could have been the best player that you’ve never heard of and if that is the case, familiarize yourself with Bess and keep a radar lock on him come draft day because a breakout 2010 campaign is on the horizon. Here’s why:
- Let’s just be real about this: with the addition of Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins are stacked offensively. Marshall has three straight seasons of 100+ receptions and while recent hip surgery could be problematic, he should make a full recovery. Marshall is a player that will command a double team and with Bess running crossing routes as a slot receiver, it will leave him one on one coverage consistently, enabling him to post great statistics for the second year in a row.
- There are 28 wide receivers drafted in 2008 that are active on NFL rosters in 2010. Bess has 130 receptions over two years, which leads all receivers including a 76 catch season in 2009, which also leads all third year receivers in single season reception total (Keep in mind: this list includes DeSean Jackson). Bess, in his second year, exceeded his rookie totals by a wide margin (rookie season: 54 receptions, 554 yards_ 2nd season: 76 receptions, 758 yards). All signs are pointing to Bess enjoying an even better year effectively putting him among the game’s elite.
- While Marshall was still in Denver, Chad Henne had a go-to receiver and a reliable target on third down. Bess has converted 40-of-52 third downs (76.9%, fourth highest in NFL over that span) into 1st downs over his first two years in the NFL including 35 in 2009 (second highest total in the league). In other words, Bess will have an immediate impact, especially at the outset of the season due to Henne’s impending lack of continuity with Marshall.
According to fantasy.ballhype.com, Bess’ ADP (average draft position) is 241 (80th wide receiver overall), which would place him in the 21st round. While his red zone opportunities are limited in the run-first Miami offense, he should go between the 10th and 12th rounds in most 2010 fantasy drafts.
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