Could the Pistol Offense Raise the Fantasy Stock of Percy Harvin?
The NFC West was already a difficult division to play in now the Seattle Seahawks have made it even more difficult acquiring wide receiver Percy Harvin from the Minnesota Vikings.
Now you may ask how the pistol is going to increase the fantasy value of Percy Harvin or even better will it increase his value? Well first let’s look at Harvin’s career with the Minnesota Vikings and how the new offense will compliment his talents.
Percy Harvin is without a doubt one of the most injury prone players in the NFL. He simply can’t stay healthy. So the buyer beware tag is will not going to be dropped just because Harvin has been traded. However don’t let Harvin’s injury history keep you from taking an explosive endzone threat.
Harvin is reunited with his former offensive coordinator Darrel Bevell who is now taking the play calling duties in Seattle. In the 2009 NFL season Harvin averaged 13.2 yards a reception and in 2010 Harvin averaged 12.2 yards a reception with Bevel at offensive coordinator running a west coast offense. Quarterback Brett Favre would use Harvin as a third option but knew the receiver could get into space after the catch. That is what makes Harvin such a scoring threat. Harvin is as versatile as a receiver can be. Harvin can lineup as a slot receiver, a halfback, and he can be a return man on special teams. Harvin has many intangibles that other receivers don’t posses. However that is also a curse as Harvin began to see more play calls as a halfback and kick return specialist putting him at greater risk for injury. Now while the Seahawks have no intention to rest Harvin they will be able to increase his production in all those roles.
The Seahawks lacked a go to receiver for QB Russell Wilson last season and Harvin could significantly fill that role. Harvin can also be used in the wishbone formation as an option back along with halfback Marshawn Lynch. Harvin could be used in multiple formations and offensive schemes; not just as your typical slot receiver. Often we think of the pistol offense as a running scheme when it is actually an option scheme. The read option is all about choices made at the line of scrimmage, reading the defense for coverage gaps, making an adjustment on the play call, and then exploiting the defensive gap. When it comes to the pistol Harvin is a perfect fit as he is the ultimate utility player.
Harvin’s value fantasy was a mid fourth rounder overall last season according to Fantasy Football Calculator. Now while that sounds like a reach in all honesty he was alone in the passing game in Minnesota but was often injured. I project his value to hold to not change significantly from last season even though most will look at his stats and typically downgrade him.
2 months ago
