Best pass-catcher props to consider for the 2019 NFL season
Having previously covered the best quarterback and running back props for the 2019 NFL season, we conclude our three-part series by finding the best value picks to lead the league in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Odds to lead NFL in receiving yards
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Julio Jones | 6-1 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 7-1 |
| Michael Thomas | 7-1 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | 10-1 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 12-1 |
| Mike Evans | 15-1 |
| Antonio Brown | 16-1 |
| Davante Adams | 16-1 |
| Adam Thielen | 20-1 |
| T.Y Hilton | 20-1 |
| Tyreek Hill | 20-1 |
| A.J. Green | 25-1 |
| Keenan Allen | 25-1 |
| Kenny Golladay | 30-1 |
| Amari Cooper | 35-1 |
| Travis Kelce | 35-1 |
| Brandin Cooks | 40-1 |
| Chris Godwin | 40-1 |
| Robert Woods | 40-1 |
| Stefon Diggs | 40-1 |
| George Kittle | 50-1 |
| Tyler Lockett | 50-1 |
| Zach Ertz | 60-1 |
| DK Metcalf | 60-1 |
| Calvin Ridley | 75-1 |
| Courtland Sutton | 75-1 |
| N'Keal Harry | 75-1 |
| DeSean Jackson | 75-1 |
| DJ Moore | 75-1 |
| Julian Edelman | 75-1 |
| Robby Anderson | 75-1 |
| Sammy Watkins | 75-1 |
Let's begin by eliminating who we don't expect to see lead the league in receiving yards:
Michael Thomas - He's still one of the most underrated receivers in the game who should put up monster numbers again as a WR1. But will the Saints pass enough in 2019 for Thomas to lead the pack? We don't think so.
JuJu Smith Schuster - We're going to find out a lot about Smith-Schuster in his first season sans Antonio Brown. Though he'll have his opportunities yet again, Smith-Schuster will finally be treated as a WR1 by opposing secondaries.
Odell Beckham Jr. - There are just too many mouths to feed in the Browns' offense when you factor in Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, Antonio Callaway, Nick Chubb, and others.
Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs - theScore's fantasy expert Justin Boone doesn't seem too enthusiastic regarding the Vikings' passing game in 2019.
A.J. Green - It's always tough to invest in a player coming off an injury. Green's movement could be affected by toe surgery last December.
With a clearer picture, here's who we'd roll with:
Favorite - Julio Jones (6-1)
There's nothing that sways us away from taking Jones. It feels like a cop-out to take the front-runner, right? Except Jones has led the league in receiving yards twice over the last four years and wasn't affected by the presence of fellow wide receiver Calvin Ridley last season, leading the NFL with 1,677 receiving yards. We're enamored with Matt Ryan, so naturally, we'll endorse his go-to target.
Underdog - Mike Evans (15-1)
Evans would probably get more recognition in a bigger market or on a winning team. As the Buccaneers toiled away in the NFC South basement last season, all Evans did was post 1,524 yards despite Tampa having zero stability under center. A lot of talk has centered around Chris Godwin's upside, but Evans seems set for another huge season in an offense that should once again be throwing the ball plenty.
Long shot - George Kittle (50-1)
Kittle was catching the majority of his passes from C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens and still finished first among tight ends, and eighth overall, with 1,377 yards. Give him Jimmy Garoppolo for a full season and the sky is the limit for Kittle, who also led the league in yards after the catch with 870.
Odds to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Davante Adams | 7-1 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 8-1 |
| Antonio Brown | 10-1 |
| Travis Kelce | 10-1 |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | 14-1 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | 16-1 |
| Julio Jones | 16-1 |
| Michael Thomas | 18-1 |
| Mike Evans | 20-1 |
| A.J Green | 25-1 |
| Alshon Jeffery | 25-1 |
| T.Y. Hilton | 25-1 |
| Tyreek Hill | 25-1 |
| Keenan Allen | 25-1 |
| Amari Cooper | 25-1 |
| Zach Ertz | 25-1 |
| Adam Thielen | 30-1 |
| Robby Anderson | 30-1 |
| Calvin Ridley | 30-1 |
| Tyler Lockett | 30-1 |
| Hunter Henry | 35-1 |
| Cooper Kupp | 40-1 |
| Stefon Diggs | 40-1 |
| Kenny Golladay | 40-1 |
| Brandin Cooks | 50-1 |
| George Kittle | 50-1 |
| Chris Godwin | 50-1 |
| DJ Moore | 50-1 |
| Marvin Jones Jr. | 50-1 |
| O.J. Howard | 50-1 |
| Will Fuller | 50-1 |
| Robert Woods | 50-1 |
| Mike Williams | 55-1 |
Favorite - Davante Adams (7-1)
We're rolling with the chalk again here with Adams, who caught 12 of his 13 touchdowns last season in the red zone. He led all wide receivers with 31 targets inside the 20-yard line last season and essentially becomes a cheat code on front-shoulder fades from Aaron Rodgers. This one makes too much sense.
Underdog - Zach Ertz (25-1)
Ertz led all tight ends with 27 targets inside the red zone but only scored seven touchdowns inside the 20, which ranked third among players at his position. The Eagles will have several names demanding the ball, but this is a number we'd take on Ertz in 2019.
Long shot - Mike Williams (55-1)
Williams finally broke out last season, snaring 10 touchdowns on 64 targets in his second year. After Adams, Williams earned the best red-zone grade of any receiver in 2019 from Pro Football Focus. The upside here is enormous.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.