Robby Anderson finished 2018 hotter than any other WR, ripping off 20 catches for 312 yards and 3 TDs during the fantasy playoffs (as predicted). His subsequent 60 FPs trailed only DeAndre Hopkins during this span. Anderson flashed his excellent deep speed and ball-tracking, combined with an iron-clad rapport with Sam Darnold. Thus, “volume” was the only lingering obstacle between Anderson and a massive fantasy season. However, according to new HC Adam Gase, Anderson could pick up right where he left off. Gase labeled Anderson the most surprising player he’s studied, promising to send plenty of targets his way at every level of the field. With a Round 7 and later price tag, Anderson could be a season-winner without a market correction.
Specifically, Gase gushed about Anderson’s big-play and ball-tracking ability at the Combine: “After watching him, I was very impressed with his speed. It’s unique. You don’t see a whole bunch of guys who have what he has and the way he tracks the ball down the field. I don’t think I’ve ever been around a player that does it as smooth. He is so smooth that when he sticks his hands out and at the speed he’s running, to see him just pluck the ball and keep on rolling.”
More importantly, Gase hopes to design plenty of concepts to maximize Anderson’s “unique and smooth” abilities, and not just as a one-trick, deep-ball artist. Rather, Gase wants to, “keep trying to think of ways to get him the ball, ways to create variety in his routes… Instead of just doing one or two things, maybe we can open that thing up to five, six, seven things to where he’s a threat on multiple levels, whether it be underneath, intermediate or down the field.”
Ultimately, Anderson seems destined for a major “Usage” bump, both in sheer volume as well as in route variety. Anderson has dominated for stretches in both of the past two seasons, but steady and more creative volume could unlock his true ceiling for a full year. He’s currently No.60 overall (+18 ECR) and WR26 (+8) on my latest Big Board.
