Fantasy Upside
Malcom Floyd returns from the neck injury he suffered last September but Danario Alexander has required "multiple" surgeries on his right knee and won't return this season. That means Allen better be ready to pick up where he left off. Allen was sensational as he set team records for rookie receivers in catches and receiving yards; he led the NFL among rookies in those categories as well. Vincent Brown seemed to take a step back, as he and Philip Rivers seldom got on the same page. Eddie Royal had a career-high eight touchdowns, despite battling a chronic toe injury. Can Allen carry the receiving corps? According to ESPN.com, that might be asking too much -- in part because Brown and Royal aren't imposing threats. That said, the development of speedy tight end Ladarius Green helps to mask some of the San Diego's deficiencies at receiver.
Fantasy Downside
We don't have a huge sample size or long history to put behind the high-end draft capital that will be required to secure his services this season.
Bottom Line
Despite a history of production -- and even for those who assume Allen has closed in on his ceiling, there's ample reason for optimism. For one, Allen worked hard to improve his speed this offseason. And even if he stays at his 2013 level, we'll all be pretty pleased. We can think of worse things than drafting him at a spot commiserate with last season's production and hoping for more.