So we’re going to start this post with a little hint on how I view wide receivers. There are a lot of extremely talented receivers in the game but there are really only a few that can dictate the game itself. Calvin Johnson is one of those guys. So is Larry Fitzgerald. They catch everything that is thrown near them, essentially. They have the ability to make guys like Shaun Hill and John Skelton look almost decent. If that’s not talent, I don’t know what is. Now I’m not gonna lie and say Robert Meachem is of that level but there are truly few who are anyway. What I WILL say, though, is on the other side of the spectrum you can have a good to great quarterback making decent players look like superstars. Eli Manning has made 1000 yard receivers from guys like Steve Smith. No, not that Steve Smith. THAT Steve Smith. All this to say, quarterbacks can make or break the ‘talent level’ of some wide receivers and so can the system they play in. With that, let’s take a closer look at why I’m reachin for Meachem (even reachin for rhymes too, apparently).
In looking over Robert’s stats, it’s safe to say he’s been about as consistent as (insert politician from the party you hate here). Which is to say, not that consistent. Though he had a truly great quarterback in New Orleans in Drew Brees, the offensive style was meant to spread the wealth. Meachem was often the odd man out while someone like a Devery Henderson or a Lance Moore took center stage. Thankfully for Robert, he’s got a QB that trusts few and throws it to even fewer. Philip Rivers targeted Vincent Jackson 115 times last year. While he only got 60 receptions out of the deal, he also gained 1106 yards to go with 9 TDs. Heck, I even showed a little of my Rivers wide receiver love in a balls deep analysis earlier this summer.  ‘Yeah, so what does this have to do with Meachem‘ you say, poorly constructed argument to get my point across? Well I’ll tell you PCATGMPA: Meachem is being tabbed as the #1 receiver for San Diego this year. If he matches Jackson’s totals from 2011, he has the 9th best WR stats. That, overall, is what they call ‘not bad’ in my world. With a wide receiver ranking of 39 over at Mock Draft Central, that’s cheaper than the egg McMuffin you just had for breakfast and it’s better for you (WARNING: Results of Razzball lab tests are still inconclusive on whether or not fast food is better for you than fantasy football. You have been advised). He’s currently ranked behind Justin Blackmon on the board. You know, the guy with Blaine Gabbert at the helm of the offense…did you just get a cold shudder or was it just me? Though I don’t think he reaches Jackson’s totals, he should be in line for low end WR2/high end WR3 production. You’ll take that and you’ll like it with a 11th round pick.
2012 Projections: 65 rec, 1050 rec yards, 7 TDs, 10 rushing yards
