When Harry Douglas was forced into the starting lineup after both Julio Jones and Roddy White became sidelined with injuries, I had my doubts if he could be a true No. 1 receiver. Douglas had been a starter in the past, most recently in 2011 when Jones was absent for 3 games. Lets just say his role was more as just a body to keep defenses off White than a true weapon in the passing offense. Something must have clicked in Douglas' head this weekend because he throttled the Buccaneers secondary. That's why, after amassing 149 yards and 1 touchdown off 7 catches, Douglas is this week's Must Grab Waiver Wire Pickup of the week.
Going into Week 7, I didn't think Douglas was going to be anything special. A flex option? Of course. As the new No. 1, a receiver who plays every down is always worth putting into your starting lineup. The biggest problem I had wasn't that Douglas was starting, but that he didn't have White to take away defensive attention. The Falcons were also forced to start rookie Drew Davis, who hadn't caught a pass all year. Being a starter is one thing, but being a No. 1 receiver with a sketchy past is another. Davis caught just 1 pass, but he did enough to open up the secondary for Douglas. Darrelle Revis' coverage Sunday is a perfect example of why the Buccaneers are wasting his talents, but also why starting fantasy receivers against him doesn't mean as much as it used to.
I have bids in for Douglas on every one of my fantasy rosters. While all owners should be picking him up, do not expect him to be the same player he was last weekend. Defenses will look at game film and have a better understanding of how Douglas ticks. With the Falcons playing the Cardinals this week, Douglas will see plenty of Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals' offense might be terrible at the moment, but their secondary against fantasy receivers has been one of the top in the NFL thus far. Arizona ranks behind only Houston, Tennessee, Miami and Seattle in terms of fantasy points given up to receivers (16.5 points a game). If White doesn't return, Douglas will have his hands full.
In conclusion, Douglas must be picked up in all leagues. Is he starter worthy once he's yours? I can't say no, but I will say that owners shouldn't overvalue him. Consider him a WR3/Flex option before and after White enters himself back into the starting lineup. Douglas has upside, but not as much as we saw on Sunday.