Desean Jackson had a big game in Week 1, showing he remains a big play threat at age 32 despite his small stature. Other smaller receivers like Marquise Brown, John Ross, and John Brown also had strong performances, showing the evolution of receivers in the NFL toward players with speed and playmaking ability rather than just size. These smaller receivers could emerge as fantasy football stars this season if they build on their early success.

1. By: Aaron Meaux
September 12, 2019
The Return of the Tiny, Big Hearted Wide Receiver
The start of the 2019 National Football League (NFL) season has not disappointed the passionate
NFL stan or the casual super bowl watching fan. How about those ongoing Adam Schefter leaks
from your favorite team’s owner to push a narrative for public discourse and essentially making
its way to the masses in the form of water cooler talk? No, the offseason drama was merely an
appetizer for what “Week 1” delivered. Some of the drama includes, the overhyped and
underwhelming performances across the league. What about the Browns, Falcons, and Dolphins
“Week 1” stinkers, Dak Prescott’s perfect QB rating, and Lamar Jackson proving to all his “he
should be a running back,” doubters he CAN be successful throwing the ball. Given the
saturation of articles for the aforementioned storylines, I decided to take a look at the forgotten.
Desean Jackson, aka Mr. Jackpot C.E.O is already lighting up the scoreboard. His unique
NFL frame and swag isn’t so uncommon anymore. In fact, he and his contemporaries are setting
the tone for a speed hungry group of 2019 wideouts, making it a year to remember for the little
guy with big play ability. Jackson came out blazing in the opener against the Washington
Redskins with 8 receptions, 154 yards, and 2 touchdowns. As he plays out his second stint in the
City of Brotherly love, Philadelphia, he’s more determined to be better and faster than ever. A
common understanding in NFL circles is receivers usually don’t run the same as they did in their
mid 20’s, but Jackson and his well-documented speed doesn’t seem to be slowing down. At 5’10
and 175 pounds many people doubted his ability to withstand the physicalness of the league.
Despite that, he continues to prove every year, his size limitations will not stop him from being
an impact receiver. With 4.2 speed, he is one of the best deep ball receivers the game has EVER
seen. Jackson brings more than speed to the game; his confidence and swag are second to none.
Don’t believe me, check his Instagram @0ne0f0ne. Just like Desean Jackson matured and is far
removed from his last break-up with the Eagles, the game of football continues to evolve. I
would say we are in the middle of a wide-receiver evolution.
The Return of the Tiny, Big Hearted Wide Receiver is an ode to Desean Jackson and a
preview into the trail of small stature wideouts primed to breakout this season. The future is now,
and the veteran Jackson is leading the charge.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown – 5’9 168 lbs.
Since the year 2000, 14 of the 77 wide receivers taken in the first round of the NFL draft
were under 6’0 feet tall and weighed less than 200 pounds. Quick math tells me that is an
underwhelming 18 percent. It’s unlikely that Marquise “Hollywood” Brown would be drafted in
the first round or even have the attention of NFL teams based on recent history. The odds were
stacked against him. An injury prevented him from participating at the NFL combine, an event
many whispered he would have challenged for the all-time record in the 40-yard dash. As 1 of
the 14 smaller stature wideouts taken in the 1st
round the last 20 years, he entered “Week 1”
ready to prove his draft value. Brown made a splash early with a 47-yard touchdown catch on
Baltimore’s second possession of the game. Brown finished with 4 receptions, 147 yards, and 2
touchdowns on 5 targets. Even more spectacular, this game was a blowout early so Brown only
played 14 snaps. As the season progresses, I expect him to see more volume and with his ability,
we are looking at a future fantasy stud.

2. By: Aaron Meaux
September 12, 2019
John Ross – 5’11 194 lbs.
Did you know, the all-time record at the NFL combine in the 40-yard dash is 4.22? Oh
yes, and do you know John Ross holds that record? He was drafted 9th
overall due to his all-
world speed. Get it? He’s fast. His first two years in the NFL have been anything but spectacular.
Unfortunate injuries and inconsistencies in his route running abilities have kept him off the field.
Despite his lack of production, he enters the 2019 season healthy and with the major injury to AJ
Green, Ross is in line for a big role in the Bengals offense. Ross tallied a career high 7 receptions
for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns in a loss to the Seahawks opening weekend. Ross has been a
post-hype sleeper in deep fantasy leagues while mostly going undrafted in standard redraft
leagues. I expect Andy Dalton to have to throw the ball a ton, and Ross should crack the top 35
wideouts offering fantasy owners a solid weekly flex option while AJ Green recovers.
John Brown – 5’10 178
The elder statesman of this group, and recently adapted journeyman. John Brown has
been a bit of an underperformer during his time in the NFL. He spent the first 4 years of his
career battling injury. The talent has never been questioned. His ability to stretch the defense is a
weapon that would help any team. His documented 4.3 40-yard dash ranks among the fastest in
the league. In March of 2019, a fully healthy Brown signed a lucrative 3-year $27 million-dollar
deal with the Buffalo Bills. He joined a franchise with no clear number one receiver and was set
to take over as the primary pass catcher. The speedster made his presence felt in his first game in
a Bills uniform posting 7 catches, 123 yards, and a touchdown, on 10 targets. Quarterback Josh
Allen is mobile and has a big arm, this system seems to be the right fit for Brown. If he can stay
healthy, his second career 1,000-yard season will surely pay huge dividends to fantasy owners.
So here we are, one week into the NFL season and while many fantasy owners are
overreacting and trickling in the crazy trade offers all week, here are 4 players who could very
well be league winners. Although Jackson is probably rostered in your leagues already, the other
3 should be considered waiver priorities. Trust the ability of these electrifying athletes. If you
don’t acquire them now, you will look back at this piece and regret it. Go capture the title and
claim stake as king of your league!