Entering his sixth year, there are many questions surrounding Malcom Floyd’s fantasy value. Last year Floyd showed himself to be a serviceable No. 2 WR opposite of Vince Jackson, while also showing flashes of promise as a rising fantasy football star. Floyd finished the year catching 45 balls for 776 yards and a single TD while being targeted 76 total times.
But there are plenty of other reasons why those numbers stand to significantly increase in 2010.
For one, Floyd enters this year as the new number one wide-out in lieu of Vincent Jackson’s contract dilemma. Peter King on Twitter is reporting that contract talks with Jackson have now been shut down, and the team is prepared to enter 2010 with Floyd, and Legedu Naanee being their primary receivers, alongside TE Antonio Gates.
Outside of those guys, Josh Reed, Buster Davis, and Gary Banks will all fight over playing time which shouldn't concern you at this point.
But becoming a primary offensive target is just one great reason why Floyd is primed to be a huge sleeper. Let’s see what other reasons support Floyd’s sleeper value.
Malcom Floyd – WR – San Diego Chargers
ADP 88th – 34th WR Selected
- Jackson is out, and Floyd is in! Malcolm Floyd is just as tall as Jackson (6’5”) and five pounds lighter at 225, and Floyd is just as quick and physical as Jackson is. Floyd’s penchant for abusing smaller DBs downfield will give Philip Rivers more than enough reason to go deep with him, increasing his sleeper value right out of the gate.
- The Chargers face Kansas City, Jacksonville, Seattle, Arizona, Oakland, St. Louis, New England, and Tennessee in their first eight games. Aside from Oakland and New England, the rest of the bunch were bottom feeding pass defending teams, which will afford Floyd numerous opportunities to provide fantasy owners with a ton of points early.
- The Chargers finished fifth overall in passing yards last year, and given the unproven backfield entering 2010, Norv Turner and OC Clarence Shelmon are likely to stay with a pass heavy approach lending great value to all San Diego pass catchers; especially Floyd.
- Floyd at 34th could wind up being deceiving as he is likely to be scooped up earlier in your draft, we here at FantasyKnuckleheads have Malcom Floyd ranked 25th, which seems to be more realistic.
Summary: San Diego will start the year with a very opportunistic schedule, which means owners of Floyd should see huge results early. You won't have to waste a high pick on him. He is currently going between the 11th and 15th rounds in most 10-12 team leagues. Target Floyd somewhere in the 9th or 10th and you shouldn't be disappointed with his production.
