The Best Players to Stash in Fantasy Football From the NFC South
Corey (Philly) Brown, WR, Carolina Panthers
The Player
The skill positions in Carolina are relatively set, with most owners aware that Jonathan Stewart's health issues make rookie Cameron Artis-Payne a good handcuff to own. But he's a guy most in the fantasy world are familiar with (and not that great an athlete), so I thought I would profile a guy I really enjoyed watching last season in Corey Brown (who previously used the nickname Philly).
By far the least intriguing "athlete" on this list (I could have profiled Stephen Hill if you love elite athletes), Brown is a smaller receiver at just 5'11" and 185 pounds. He is quicker than fast, recording a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and doesn't possess the profile of a dominant NFL receiver.
| Name | Hght | Wght | 40 yd | Vert | Broad | 20 ss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peerless Price | 5' 11" | 180 | 4.55 | 35" | 116" | 4.09 |
| Rashad Greene | 5' 11" | 182 | 4.53 | 36½" | 122" | 4.12 |
| Harry Douglas | 5' 11" | 176 | 4.51 | 31" | 120" | 4.12 |
| Corey Brown | 5' 11" | 178 | 4.51 | 33" | 116" | 4.22 |
| Jarius Wright | 5' 10" | 182 | 4.42 | 38" | 120" | 4.03 |
It's clear we aren't looking at star potential here. So why is he on my watch list? Because he is a tough-as-nails hard worker who gets open and makes plays. He's the type of player coaches and scouts are always trying to replace but who continues to do things on the field that keep him on the roster. As a rookie last year, he posted 21 receptions on 36 targets for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns while also contributing 95 yards on the ground.
His 0.74 Reception NEP per target is more than passable for a receiver, and his numbers are similar to those of popular "sleeper" Charles Johnson, who posted a 0.73 score on 59 targets. It's also more efficient than than top target Kelvin Benjamin's 0.67. Obviously that doesn't mean Brown is a better player than Benjamin, but it does demonstrate his ability to be an efficient target in this Carolina offense.
So while he may not emerge as a star, Brown can be a useful contributor for this team as a player who actually has the quickness to separate from defenders -- no offense, Kelvin. Think of him like a poor man's Victor Cruz.
The Opportunity
On the surface, Brown's situation doesn't seem great after the Panthers added receiver Devin Funchess in the second round of the 2015 draft. But Brown, who has described by Charlotte reporters as one of the MVPs of mini camp, still possesses an element of speed that none of the other projected starters have. And hey, no one has any idea if Funchess is any good!
Only about 46 targets have been vacated from 2014, but the team is expected to scale back the 78 targets veteran Jerricho Cotchery received last year -- if he makes the roster, which is no guarantee thanks to the additions of Funchess and Ted Ginn Jr..
While the team may increase the volume of the passing game, finding his way to 100 targets may be difficult for Brown without an injury to one of the starters.
Nonetheless, while Brown shouldn't be drafted or really rostered in any leagues, don't be surprised if his final statistics are much more impressive than anyone thought was possible. While finding his way to a consistent role will be difficult, this is the type of player who should never be discounted. Guys with his attitude and ability seemingly just find their way onto the field.
And should an injury occur, he's a guy who will be ready to emerge.
