This coming football season, like any other, is bound to bring us some surprises (Pierre Garcon) and complete disappointments (thanks Brandon Jacobs). A key to winning your fantasy league relies on hitting on some of these small surprises. Below is some insight on a few players that you can count on to RISE to the occasion.
Kevin Kolb – QB (Eagles) – Kolb is finally being handed the reigns as a full time starting QB with McNabb out of the equation. While filling in for McNabb last season, Kolb played well and gave the Eagles a reason to solidify him as the starting QB of the future. Kolb has inherited an offense with big strike ability; any short pass can go the distance when you have DeSean Jackson on your side, not to mention the down field threat he can be as well. He will also have an emerging star in TE Brent Celek at his disposal and a very good under the radar number 2 WR in Jeremy Maclin. The Eagles no longer have the luxury of Brian Westbrook coming out of the backfield for a quick check down, but LeSean McCoy should be able to more then hold his own. If the O-line can keep Kolb standing, he’s worthy of a top-10 QB selection in the 5th round.
Jimmy Clausen – QB (Panthers) – Clausen is coming into this season with a chip on his shoulder because of how his stock plummeted on draft day. Jimmy has a lot of critics to show up, no one more than the self-proclaimed draft guru, Todd McShay. Jimmy’s late draft slot may be a blessing in disguise as he has found himself with a team with a ton of upside and a GREAT running game to take off some of the pressure. Having a dynamic WR in Steve Smith doesn’t hurt either and is someone who can carry a team in the passing game and help Clausen’s overall stock that much more. Right now Clausen is listed as the number 2 QB in Carolina, but don’t let that fool you. Clausen’s experience in a pro style offense in college will help him nail down the starting job for the start of the season. Clausen possesses a big arm and all the weapons around him. Look for Clausen to go later than the 10th round, a great value pick for someone who might just be that sleeper that carries your team to the playoffs.
Rashard Mendenhall – RB (Steelers) – Going into his second full season in the league, Mendenhall looks to continue his late ‘09 success. Mendenhall will enter this season as THE MAN in Pittsburgh and is one of the few remaining running backs carrying a full load. With big Ben having to serve a 4-game suspension, look for the power back to register 30 carries a game. Nonetheless, when Ben returns, Pittsburgh may have no choice but to continue relying on the running game as they have in the past for so much of their success. Mendenhall could post numbers of a top-5 back this season. The one downside to Mendenhall is something he has no control of; he plays in a division full of stout run defenses. I see Mendenhall being a mid 1st round to very early 2nd round pick. He is a steal if he is sitting there any later than that.
Felix Jones – RB (Cowboys) - There are few players in fantasy football with more BOOM or bust potential this year, but I can’t help but feel with all the weapons on this team it has to be BOOM for Felix Jones! There are multiple reports from Dallas camp that Marion Barber has lost a step due to his physical and punishing running style. Barber may find his way in many goal line situations, but Jones, who averaged 5.9 yards an attempt on only 116 carries last year, will finally be getting the bulk of the carries, all of this coming from the man himself, Jerry Jones. Felix may never be the type of RB that can carry the ball 30 attempts a game, but who really can anymore? Jones is on that short list of running backs that has the ability to take it to the house every time they touch the ball. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is also strong so it’s hard to see him ever getting off the field on third downs. His injury history has been a bit of a concern but Barber and Choice spelling him occasionally will only help him stay on the field for the long run. Maybe most importantly, it’s almost impossible for opposing defenses to stack the line with talents like Miles Austin, Jason Witten, rookie Dez Bryant, and even Roy Williams demanding attention. Maybe not a number 1 RB just yet, but a solid number 2 Felix Jones will finally be.
Ben Tate – RB (Texans) – Rookie Ben Tate out of Auburn has a ton of upside and will fit well in the Texan offense. The opportunity is there for the taking due to Slaton’s off-season neck surgery and the straight fact that Slaton has serious fumbling issues. If Tate doesn’t start off the season with the starting job, look for him to certainly finish the season with it. Tate is going to reap the benefits of a strong Houston passing game and not see as much guys in the box as a typical running back. Expect Tate to get a majority of the carries with Slaton being put in for passing down situations. His running style fits the offense of the Texans and is certainly the force the Texans were looking for when they moved up to draft him.
Jahvid Best – RB (Lions) – Best will be entering the season as the Lions number 1 back with Kevin Smith out and rehabbing his surgically repaired ACL. With no timetable set for Kevin Smith’s return, Best might be the best and only option for the Lions at the start of the season. Jahvid ran for 2668 yards and added 62 receptions to go along with his 35 TD's at Cal and is looking to carry that into the NFL. . Best has great speed and may be the best open field runner coming out of this season’s draft class. If there is any player that could turn nothing in to something it’s going to be Best. With all that speed he is going to be a force for the Lions young and improving offense. Drafting Best does come with some risk, though, as he is on a bad Lions team who may find themselves playing catch up in the second half of most games and look more toward the big play capability of Calvin Johnson.
Ryan Matthews – RB (Chargers) – Matthews is a running back that doesn’t have blazing speed, but is a back that doesn’t waste time in the backfield. He’ll find those holes and make the cut he needs to in order to reach the second level. He’s the type of back willing to bang heads with linebackers and rack up yards after contact. He, of all rookie running backs, has found himself in the best situation to be successful and successful right away. Although he has big shoes to fill in the hearts of Charger fans, he will make those Charger fans forget the man behind the visor. If you want Matthews on your roster, you’re going to have to take him high, and he might be worth it in the long run and in keeper leagues.
Dez Bryant – WR (Cowboys) – Here is a rookie that could have a significant impact on your fantasy team right away. Dez Bryant was the best WR coming out of this year’s draft and would have gotten drafted higher then 24th if he wasn’t suspended for the entire 2009 regular season for his controversial interactions with Deion Sanders. Wade Phillips can’t stop raving about this guy. Dallas moved up in the draft to get him and let him wear number 88 (Irvin’s old number). Let me be frank, all Dez has to do is show up to training camp and he’ll beat out Roy Williams, regardless of what Jerry Rice has to say about it. Bryant has all the physical tools (6-2, 225lb) and speed to be extremely effective in this explosive Dallas offense. There are a lot of balls to be shared around with Austin, Witten, and Roy Williams ready to go, but that can only benefit Bryant with single coverage through the majority of the game. After not playing football for a whole year, Dez Bryant is a guy who even with a full training camp (which he will, having already signed), may start on the inconsistent side, but ultimately end the season on fire. It’s not often that a WR with Bryant’s talent is teamed up with a Pro Bowl QB like Romo in his prime, so I’d take advantage of it. He has the potential to be a low end number 2 WR this year.
Michael Crabtree – WR (49ers) – I, for one, thought Crabtree would look lost making his debut in week 7 against the Houston Texans due to the great deal of time he missed in training camp from a foot injury and elongated contract negotiations. Surprisingly, Crabtree stepped on the field and looked like the best WR on their roster, which isn’t saying much I know, but still impressive for a rookie. There are a couple of reasons to love his potential for this upcoming season. For once, the 49ers finally have some continuity on their coaching staff, most importantly on the offensive side of the ball with coordinator Jimmy Raye. Alex Smith finally showed some promise developing great chemistry with Crabtree. With both players getting the opportunity to start at their positions week 1, Crabtree’s numbers almost have to improve. His 2 touchdowns last year can easily triple to 6 this year with potential for more. Also, opposing defenses may put most of their focus on fantasy studs like Vernon Davis and Frank Gore, which could, at times, leave Crabtree with many weak coverages in the secondary.
Devin Thomas – WR (Redskins) – I usually wouldn’t touch any Redskins with a 10 ft pole, but a player like Devin Thomas intrigues me this year. With the acquisition of Donovan McNabb, almost every receivers’ numbers in Washington should improve, especially the speedsters. A west coast offense and the leadership of the one and only Mike Shanahan will help develop Thomas into a solid wideout. Over the past two years, McNabb had great success throwing the deep ball to WR DeSean Jackson, which eventually turned Jackson into a #1 receiver and one of the most feared big play threats at wideout. Devin Thomas is tall and has a lot of speed. He showed he’s capable of having huge games (7catches, 100yds, 2tds ), but just not consistently. In his third year, Thomas will start alongside Moss and will also get his fair share of deep balls. McNabb will definitely not hold onto the ball nearly as much as Campbell, and will take chances Campbell didn’t bother to take. Thomas has potential to be a great number 3WR.
Jeremy Maclin – WR (Eagles) – Maclin is the number 2 WR in Philly and has blazing 4.3 speed. He managed to accumulate over 700 yards receiving and 4 TD’s on limited playing time. Look for him to put up better numbers this year on an even more pass-friendly Philly team. Maclin won’t see any double teams playing opposite DeSean Jackson while at the same time having an elite tight end in Celek to occupy the middle. The Eagles are certainly going to air the ball out this season and show defenses how hard it is to cover 2 speed burners on the outside. If Maclin can improve his route-running abilities, the sky is the only limit. Look for Jeremy between rounds 8-11 in your fantasy draft.
Legedu Naanee – WR (Chargers) – Everyone’s favorite name at wide receiver will start becoming a household name at that. Legedu will be the primary benefactor of Vincent Jackson’s suspension and is on a contract year in 2010. If Naanee can show his true potential while Jackson is out, the Chargers will have no choice but to keep him in the starting lineup. The Chargers have arguably the best offense in the league year in and year out and have become a pass first team with the Tomlinson days in the rearview mirror. Once again, the presence of a superstar tight end does nothing but help create space for Naanee and the rest of the Chargers receiving core. Naanee will surprise, you can count on it.
Jermichael Finley – TE (Packers) – With a rare combination of size and speed, Finley has all the intangibles and athleticism to become an elite tight end in the NFL. In ’09, he was only 16th out of all tight ends in targets. The starting job wasn’t his at the start of the season and he missed three games with a knee injury. With the starting role certainly his at the start of the season, his targets are sure to go up with a pass happy offense and a stud quarterback in Green Bay. It’s hard not to draw comparisons to Antonio Gates, as Finley’s size will overpower defensive backs and speed will have linebackers lost. Look for Finley to become a top-5 TE in 2010, guaranteed.
Brent Celek – TE (Eagles) – Celek made a name for himself in his rookie year posting numbers just shy of 1000 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, but look for his production to improve even more. With speed on the outside as we mentioned with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, look for the middle of the field to be Celek’s domain. He may also find himself as the check down option for Kevin Kolb if the deep pass isn’t available. Look for Brent to be the fifth tight end taken off the board in either the 6th or 7th round.
Find a way to get some of these players on your team. Also focus on getting these guys at great value instead of trying to take them way too early to impress the rest of your league. Value means everything on draft day.
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