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Deep sleeper WRs
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Jene Bramel - The inconsistency of the Jacksonville passing game hurts Thomas, but not so much that he should be the 71st wide receiver off the board. He was on an 80+ target pace over his last eight games and could well improve upon that rate this season. His ADP is at least three rounds too low.
Jeff Haseley - Thomas had an impressive rookie season where he caught 77% of the passes that came his way. He now has his sights set on being on the field for more snaps as the WR2 role left vacant by
Torry Holt. Thomas plays with the same fiery spirit and toughness that fellow WR
Steve Smith (CAR) plays with. Like Smith, Thomas is an undersized, but not under-talented WR. He has great quickness and run after the catch ability, but he also has excellent hands and leaping skills. He is expected to fill the WR2 role, which should increase his targets to the 80-90 range. If he maintains even a 60% reception percentage, he could easily reach 55-60 catches in 2010. Not many WRs with an ADP in the 70's can say that.
Bob Magaw - Thomas is reportedly the favorite to inherit the starting WR spot opposite
Mike Sims-Walker, vacated when the declining
Torry Holt wasn't retained. While short at 5'8", he isn't small at 195 lbs., a similar weight, but more compactly distributed, than 5'11"
Percy Harvin. Also like the meteoric offensive Rookie of the Year incumbent, he has blazing speed (4.3 40) as well as a high level of college production (his Pac-10 record 259 career receptions evidence of exceptional hands). He could benefit from a more focused QB Garrard, pre-broken in bookend OTs, and one of the top RBs in the game in MJD.
Jeff Tefertiller - Mike Thomas is expected to fill the starting role left by the ineffective
Torry Holt. After starting slow in his rookie season, Thomas finished strong, with thirteen receptions in the last two games. He left college as the PAC 10's all time leading receiver so the talent is present. He could have a big role in the Jacksonville passing game going forward.
Mike Sims-Walker was impressive in spans last year but is an injury risk with balky knees. The Jaguars have little else at the receiver position and want the youngster to emerge.
Matt Waldman - Forget the nine-yard average per catch that Thomas had last year. The offense used Thomas as a check-down option. Now that Thomas has had a year in the system, and a chance to work with Garrard extensively in practice, I think the Jaguars will have more trust throwing more vertical routes to the second-year receiver. Thomas has always reminded me of a young
Steve Smith. His upside is not as great, but I still think he has the after the catch skills, leaping ability, routes and hands to exceed 800 yards and 6 scores.
Mark Wimer - Thomas was impeded by
Torry Holt's presence on the roster last year - now Holt is gone. Thomas will be a starter from day one, and I'm a believer in
David Garrard's' skills. All the above makes me think that Thomas has a great shot at a productive 2010. He should significantly outperform his current ADP.
Jason Wood - Thomas had the quietest 48-catch rookie season in recent memory. To be fair, he didn't do a whole lot with those catches (1 TD and a meager 9.4 yards per reception), but he's the front runner to start opposite
Mike Sims-Walker. Thomas could quietly catch 70-80 receptions this year which would make him a very competent backup fantasy WR in PPR leagues especially.
Anthony Borbely - Jones is my favorite late-round sleeper this year and I am trying to get him in every league that I play in. I have heard nothing but good things about Jones' work ethic and maturity level and those were two major reasons why he was not playing more prior to now. Jones has always had the talent to be a very good receiver and I see a chance at 800-1000 yards if he starts. There are very few late-round receivers with the upside that Jones has.
Sigmund Bloom - Don't let the contract and starter money that
Kevin Walter got scare you off of Jones as an end-of-the-bench gamble for your fantasy teams. Jones flashed a ton of playmaking ability last year, and Texans head coach Gary Kubiak clearly believes that Jones has the talent to start. The Texans drafted return specialist
Trindon Holliday, so Jones is focused on the WR position now, and he has a chance to overtake Walter and become a solid bye week/injury/upside play in deep leagues this year.
Jene Bramel - Jones is battling with
Kevin Walter for the WR2 job in camp. Walter has experience and looked good in OTAs, but Jones looked like a star-in-the-making at times last season. If he wins the job, he could put up 700-800 yards and 5-7 touchdowns. That's a very strong return for the minimal investment of a 14th round draft pick.
Colin Dowling - Jones had a number of good games last season and has shown the ability to break off big plays at a moment's notice. So far, his limitations have been rooted in getting on the field only occasionally. Expect that to change this season as the Texans work him in to the regular receiver rotation.
Jeff Haseley - Jones has always been a good special teams player, but this year, the Texans plan on minimizing his touches on returns so he can focus on being more of a threat as a WR. When identifying sleepers, it is important to recognize a player's surroundings. In Jones' case, he has a Pro Bowl QB in
Matt Schaub, who is coming off the 6th best single-season passing yardage total in NFL history. Despite seeing multiple touches in the KR/PR game in recent years, he has maintained excellent health and is poised to replace
Kevin Walter as the Texans WR2 role. He started in just one game last year, but he managed to catch 6 TDs on just 22 receptions in a limited role. The sky is the limit for Jones in 2010. Last year, he was on the field for 277 snaps compared to 753 by teammate
Kevin Walter. If he can earn a spot in the starting lineup, he could be a big contributor on offense that could result in a WR3 or WR4 role for your fantasy squad.
Matt Waldman - At this stage of a draft I enjoy targeting receivers with primary-threat potential. Jones is that kind of talent, but he only just began making the mental strides last year.
Kevin Walter could still hold Jones off because he works hard at his craft, but Jones has already developed to the point that if Walter wins the job that Jones will still cut into the veteran's time. If Jones wins, his potential for 1100-1200 yard production is higher because he is electric after the catch. All
Matt Schaub needs is a player like Jones to progress to reach 5000 yards.
Sigmund Bloom -
Devery Henderson, hernia surgery,
Robert Meachem, toe surgery, and
Marques Colston, knee surgery. Lance Moore enters training camp as the healthiest regular receiver, and he should have a chance to remind
Drew Brees and the Saints coaches of the talent that scored double-digit TDs and finished in the top 15 WR in most fantasy leagues in 2008. Moore is a trusted target for Brees, and if he can stay healthy this year, he should be a nice bench player/spot start in PPR leagues at worst, with the chance to be a regular starter in start 3 WR/flex leagues.
Jene Bramel - It's easy to look at Moore's career stats and dismiss his stellar 2008 as an anomaly. It's also easy to argue that Moore, even if fully healthy this season, plays for an offense with too many options to support strong numbers for everyone. However, Moore runs good routes and has great hands (66% catch rate for his career), a potent combination for an accurate passer like
Drew Brees. In a rare mostly healthy game last season, Moore had seven catches and a touchdown.
Robert Meachem's breakout came on the strength of a number of uncannily accurate seam routes; he and
Devery Henderson are better stretch the field types than possession options. Moore could easily push for 80-100 targets in a slot/possession role this season. In this offense, that equates to WR3+ potential.
Will Grant - Moore finished as fantasy WR13 in 2008. Last season, he landed in the dog house and disappeared from fantasy significance. He didn't do much in the playoffs either and many fantasy owners have written him off. However, he's still the same guy on the same team with the same players surrounding him. If you're looking to swing for the fences, Moore is a top-15 player with and ADP of 209 overall.
Jeff Haseley - Lance Moore is only one year removed from 79 receptions and 10 TDs. He was a perfect fit as the team's slot WR in 2008. His quickness and elusiveness made coverage difficult. Combine that with
Drew Brees' accuracy and desire to make plays and he's a great receiving threat. He flopped last year due to several injuries that kept him out of the lineup, most notably hamstring and ankle ailments. Now healthy, Moore has a good chance to resume his duty as the team's primary slot WR. In the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately approach to drafting talented players, Moore is a forgotten man. Let others draft lesser known talents on weaker offenses, while you select Moore as a WR5 or WR6 and reap the rewards with very little risk. If he stays healthy, he should drastically outperform his ADP of WR76.
Jeff Tefertiller - Lance Moore is coming off an injury-plagued season. He "broke out" in 2008 to become WR13 before breaking down last year. The New Orleans Saint offense has a cache of good receiving options, but Moore can still carve out a role. After coming back to the field last year, the Saints ran specific plays for their quick, sure-handed pass catcher.
Marques Colston and
Robert Meachem have injury issues and started training camp on the PUP list. It is not difficult to imagine a scenario where Moore is vaulted to fantasy starter status once again.
Matt Waldman - Sigmund Bloom is once again dead-on with his stance that Moore is a forgotten man this year. It's a good lesson to always look at a player's performance from two years ago and consider the factors that caused his drop. Moore's issue was injury and good enough play from
Devery Henderson and
Robert Meachem to keep the smaller receiver on the sidelines. With Meachem still dealing with a toe injury and Moore fully healthy, it's conceivable Moore could earn additional opportunities once again. At this late of a pick, it's almost a "should" to take him.
Andy Hicks - With
Sidney Rice a fitness doubt and
Percy Harvin best suited to the slot, Berrian could see a return to the form that saw him rank in the fantasy WR2 area in 2007 and 2008. In the playoff lost to New Orleans Berrian registered 9 catches for 102 yards and with
Brett Favre likely to return, he is seen as the forgotten man among the Vikings receivers. As a starter in this kind of offense he offers little risk and could surprise.
Jeff Pasquino - The Vikings have a high octane passing attack with
Brett Favre (yes, he will be there) and they will be pushing to win not only the NFC North but finally get back to the Super Bowl. Favre had a great season last year with 33 touchdowns but his wide receivers coming into 2010 are not rock solid.
Sidney Rice is coming off of a hip injury and
Percy Harvin has migraine issues and if either of them misses time then Berrian becomes the starter. Even as the WR3 for the Vikings, Berrian can get deep and get 500-600 yards and a handful of touchdowns as a nice flex / spot starter.
Aaron Rudnicki - Berrian is a talented receiver who was overshadowed by
Sidney Rice and
Percy Harvin last year, but he was also dealing with nagging injuries all year and was rarely 100%. He should be back to full health this year and the hip injury
Sidney Rice is dealing with could also help him get off to a great start.
Brett Favre's return still seems very likely which will ensure the passing attack is among the more productive in the league. Minnesota should continue to use 3-WR sets often and I expect that Berrian will get a lot more of the targets this year.
Jason Wood - Bernard Berrian is a forgotten man in Minnesota but that would be a mistake. He was the 18th ranked fantasy WR in 2008 and has a 6-year, $43 million commitment from Minneosta; he's an important cog in the wheel. He played through a bad hamstring last year but was never 100%, which is why his YPR fell from 20.1 to 11.2. He's healthy again, and the Vikings will throw enough to satisfy three receivers. Did you know that Berrian had more redzone targets last year than rookie of the year
Percy Harvin? Now imagine if
Sidney Rice's hip becomes a chronic problem. All of the sudden you have
Brett Favre's top deep threat on your roster for peanuts.
Jene Bramel - The Packers are flush with options in the passing game with
Greg Jennings,
Donald Driver and
Jermichael Finley. Still, there's plenty of room for a downfield threat like Jones, who should again see at least 60-70 targets this year. If Driver's age catches up to him, Jones should also be first in line to assume some of those opportunities.
Andy Hicks - James Jones is in his 4th year and on one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. Whoever wins the battle for the No. 3 spot between Jones and
Jordy Nelson has an excellent chance of being on the field a lot. If you draft either
Greg Jennings or
Donald Driver, then Jones makes a good reserve should injury hit one of the starters. Jones is talented enough to be a productive starter in the NFL and with practically no risk associated to his pick, the ceiling is very high for Jones.
Jeff Pasquino -
Aaron Rodgers was the top fantasy quarterback last year and all of his targets saw increased value in 2009 as a result. Entering this year there are questions about
Donald Driver's health as he had surgery on his knees this offseason. Even if Driver is at full strength his age (35) will be catching up to him soon. Look for Jones to see more targets and chances this year as Green Bay works him in to decide if he is the right guy to replace Driver in 2011.
Jason Wood - I've defended
Donald Driver as undervalued for 17 straight years it seems. OK, maybe not that long but you get the drift. But this year may finally be the season to throw in the towel if reports about his knees are accurate. At 35 years old, the Packers have to seriously think about the future and that comes down to the duo of James Jones and
Jordy Nelson. To my eyes, Jones is the more polished and explosive player right now, and I think he is in line to start for a team that will throw for 4,000+ yards and 30+ TDs if Driver isn't healthy.
Anthony Borbely - Robinson is a talented player, but he simply has not been able to stay healthy. Robinson had 11/141/1 last year in the two full games he played before suffering a season-ending injury. Robinson is almost guaranteed a starting spot unless he gets hurt. A healthy Robinson is certainly better than his current ADP of WR75. Robinson is another talented player with upside and those are the kind of players you want to draft in the late rounds.
Will Grant - Robinson has missed a significant amount of time over the last two seasons due to injury. He's on a team that will have a rookie QB under center for most of the season. Robinson got off to a strong start last year before going down to injury. If he comes back healthy this season, he could very easily become
Sam Bradford's favorite target. It won't result in top ten fantasy numbers, but he is well worth the 204 overall pick (his current ADP).
Jeff Haseley - As a follower of
Donnie Avery last year, I found myself being more impressed with Laurent Robinson than Avery. In the brief three games, before he broke his leg and was lost for the season, Robinson was clearly the Rams primary WR option. In the first two games of 2009, on the team he was just starting to get accustomed to, he had 10 and 9 targets for 5 and 6 receptions, including a TD on a 3rd and goal. If he can build on his 2009 success and establish a good rapport with new signal caller
Sam Bradford, he might just be able to pick up where he left off. He currently has an ADP of WR75, which he should be able to outperform, even on the rebuilding Rams offense.
Jeff Tefertiller - Robinson has flashed talent over his first three seasons as a professional. He started the 2009 season on fire before succumbing to injury once again. In the first two games of last year, Robinson had a combined eleven catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. At this stage in the draft, talent is the only thing to seek out. Yes, Robinson could get hurt again, but is a viable fantasy starter when healthy. He is a big play receiver who can take over games.
Sigmund Bloom -
Malcom Floyd is getting all the attention as a beneficiary of
Vincent Jackson's holdout and suspension, but Naanee is a more dynamic athletic talent and he is also poised to start for at least the first three games. Naanee is just now getting his feet under him as a wideout after playing more of a slash role in the past, and the reviews from camp and OTAs so far have been very good. Kevin Acee from the San Diego Union-Tribune predicted over 40 catches for Naanee this year, so he obviously has a good chance to increase his role greatly from last year.
Bob Magaw - With Vince Jackson looking increasingly committed to holding out for a substantial portion of the 2010 season (and the odds that Chargers GM A.J. Smith blinks first vanishingly small), Naanee instantly goes from being a fantasy afterthought to a starting role in one of the most prolific and dangerous passing attacks in the league in recent years. While not quite the freakish size/speed specimen Jackson is (few are), he is no slouch in the triangle numbers department (6'2" 225 lbs., 4.4 40). Naanee is a converted QB with outstanding athleticism, and his RAC skills are more about power than niftiness.
Jason Wood - Fantasy owners seem awfully comfortable that
Philip Rivers will put up his usual Top 10 fantasy numbers in spite of the fact WR
Vincent Jackson seems destined to sit out the first 10 games of the season. If Jackson really is M.I.A., who is going to start opposite
Malcom Floyd? Training camp will ultimately decide that but Naanee is the odds on favorite. Naanee hasn't done much in three years (40 receptions for 375 yards), but the 6'3", 220-pound former Boise State Bronco has the profile of the kind of WR that can break out in a big way in Norv Turner's offense.
Sigmund Bloom - The Buccaneers two best receivers are both rookies, and Williams is the one more likely to have a big role in the red zone and deep passing game this season. The first-round talent dropped because of character issues, but he is getting great reviews so far in Tampa. He's a big, swift target who does damage on jumpballs and knows how to use his size to his advantage.
Josh Freeman isn't afraid to force the ball to a covered receiver, which should play right into Williams' strengths. He's a great WR5 or WR6 flier to fill a bench slot.
Jeff Tefertiller - Rookie
Mike Williams has been the talk of the Tampa Bay Buccaneer camp. He is expected to be the team's top receiver for the upcoming season. His talent has never been questioned, just his attitude and the off the field troubles. While it would be foolish to predict a huge season for Tampa Bay passer
Josh Freeman, he should still throw for plenty to make Williams a viable fantasy wide receiver, even a fantasy WR3 some weeks. The Buccaneers do not have many weapons in the passing game, just tight end
Kellen Winslow and the pair of rookie receivers, Williams and
Arrelious Benn. Williams looks to be the top-producing Tampa Bay wideout for 2010.
Mark Wimer - Williams is reportedly playing with the first team during training camp, and
Josh Freeman has a cannon for an arm and brings lots of leadership ability/intangibles to the field. As a probable starter for a second-year QB who is reportedly a lot more comfortable in the offense, Williams could significantly out produce his current ADP.
Andy Hicks - Devery Henderson had a big upswing in targets in the 2009 season for the New Orleans Saints. His upside is limited due to his average of 3 touchdowns a season, which is surprising given his big play potential and his career 19.7 career yards per catch, but Henderson was the 2nd most targeted receiver on a powerhouse offense and had the best catch percentage of his career to date. Henderson will outplay his ADP and be a borderline WR3 at worst, but he has the potential to surprise further.
Jeff Pasquino - New Orleans is one of the best passing offenses in the NFL, but the interesting part of the Saints' receiving corps is that there is not one dominant target. In the season where
Drew Brees topped 5,000 yards, no Saint broke 1,000 yards receiving.
Marques Colston is the top target but he has had several knee operations and defenses will line up their best defender on him every week.
Robert Meachem appears to be next on the depth chart but he also had surgery and in reality had only 45 catches last year. Henderson actually had more targets and catches than Meachem. If the touchdowns level out between them then Henderson is a fantastic late wide receiver pick.
Mark Wimer - Robiskie is another WR who disappointed in his rookie campaign. However, this year he's got a veteran QB throwing to him (
Jake Delhomme), and all reports out of Cleveland indicate he has made huge strides in his second year as an NFL receiver. One Browns coach said: "He started strong, and then got better. He never let up. He's made a huge jump." Delhomme told the coaches that Robiskie is "exactly where he should be at exactly the right time." A good chemistry with his new starting QB is an encouraging sign for Robiskie, who is worth a late-round pick.
Jason Wood - The Browns aren't exactly a hotbed for fantasy excitement, but I think even the bottom of the barrel teams can provide one or two valuable assets if you look hard enough. Robiskie did next to nothing as a rookie (7 catches for 106 yards), but he's been the "MVP" of the preseason and looks like the sharp route-running, precision possession receiver that made the Browns spend a 2nd round pick on him last April. The Browns have to throw to someone, and Robiskie opened training camp as a starter.
Mohamed Massaquoi is the Browns most dangerous WR, but Robiskie could lead the team in receptions and yet he's being completely forgotten in most drafts.
Andy Hicks - With a major upgrade at QB, well anyone not named JaMarcus is a major upgrade, Chaz Schilens could be a big surprise this season. He was considered a sleeper last pre-season before injury plagued his year and with a 6-4 frame and nice hands he has star written all over him, if he wins his fitness battles. The Oakland offense is unlikely to be a top 10 offense, but will definitely be improved. For a late round investment he offers a high end reward with little lost in the way of a draft pick.
Bob Magaw - The change at QB from
JaMarcus Russell to
Jason Campbell was one of the biggest positional upgrades across the NFL landscape in the offseason. Schilens is a freakish physical phenom and athletic prodigy with the ability to leverage the QB upgrade in a big way. While snubbed by the Combine, he clocked a sub-4.4 40 time and launched a stratospheric 43" VJ at his San Diego State pro day. At a currently listed 6'4" 225 lbs., he is a similar size/speed specimen with comparable measurables to Pro Bowl WR
Andre Johnson. If healthy, his final standing could be significantly higher than his preseason ADP.
Andy Hicks - Devin Thomas looks like a sure fire candidate for 3rd year break out receiver. He gets an upgrade in the coaching staff and at QB, with Mike Shanahan and
Donovan McNabb arriving.
Antwaan Randle El goes back to Pittsburgh and no one replaces him. Thomas will be given the opportunity to develop into the receiver the Redskins were hoping for when they drafted him 34th overall in 2008. Thomas showed signs of life against New Orleans when he registered 7 catches for 100 yards and 2 TDs and at his draft price he has the opportunity to out produce it significantly.
Bob Magaw - His ADP has dropped him from the undervalued to the deep sleeper ranks. Thomas begins training camp on the outside looking in for the coveted starting gig opposite
Santana Moss, as one of the chief beneficiaries of a massive upgrade at QB in
Donovan McNabb. He has the elite combo of size, speed, athleticism, and RAC ability to break out in his third year, if he gets the nod over the rapidly approaching social security age
Joey Galloway. Despite a strong defense, the Redskins could end up in a lot of shootouts, facing some potent NFC East passing attacks.
Aaron Rudnicki - In a year where
Chris Johnson ran for over 2000 yards and the Titans changed QBs midseason, Nate Washington still managed to finish as a top-50 WR. This year, while most expected
Kenny Britt to claim the role of #1 WR, he's running with the backups in camp and seems to be in Jeff Fisher's doghouse. There is a great opportunity here for Washington to improve on last year's production and he should have little trouble shattering his current ADP.
Mark Wimer -
Kenny Britt has flopped during spring workouts, and Nate Washington now has a year of experience in the Tennessee offense. He's going to be a starter and
Vince Young will be in the saddle as QB from day one this year. I expect to see Washington significantly improve on his 2009 numbers this season and to outplay his current ADP.
Matt Waldman - There are a few other receivers I could vote for here, but Decker was one of the most impressive receivers I watched in college football last year. He has
Larry Fitzgerald-like concentration and he can take the punishment to make the catch. While everyone is talking about
Jabar Gaffney,
Demaryius Thomas and
Eddie Royal, I wouldn't be shocked if Decker plays his way into a significant role and becomes the most reliable receiver on the Broncos in short order. It might take 2-3 years to earn that moniker, but I think he begins this year with 4-5 good games.
Jeff Haseley - I am of the belief that Doucet, not
Steve Breaston will be the Cardinals second best producing WR behind
Larry Fitzgerald in 2010. The reason is because Doucet is perfect for the role left vacant by
Anquan Boldin (now in Baltimore). Boldin often worked out of the slot and saw passes over the middle where he could use his size and run after the catch ability to make plays. Doucet has some of the same qualities and characteristics as Boldin. The Cardinals recognized this in the playoffs last year. Doucet, not Breaston took over Boldin's role due to a knee/ankle injury that kept him out of the playoffs. The end result - 14 catches for 145 yards and 2 TDs. The only question is whether
Matt Leinart will be able to make enough plays to warrant fantasy production from multiple WRs. If he does, Doucet could be a nice surprise in 2010.
Aaron Rudnicki - The trades of
Brandon Marshall and
Tony Scheffler have created a huge hole in the Broncos passing offense and Gaffney looks like the player most likely to fill it. Rookie
Demaryius Thomas looks like more of a project and
Eddie Royal is coming off a very disappointing sophomore season. The Broncos defense will likely regress after the loss of coordinator Mike Nolan and the injury to Elvis Dumervil, which will put more pressure on the offense to score points. Gaffney has experience in the offense that goes back to his time in New England with Josh McDaniels, and he showed what he could do late last year with 21 receptions for nearly 300 yards and a couple touchdowns in the last 2 games. He shouldn't have much trouble outperforming this draft position.
Jeff Pasquino - Do not be surprised to see the Miami Dolphins as much more of a passing team than in previous seasons.
Chad Henne averaged over 40 passes in his final five starts of 2009 and had three 300-yard games. Over those five contests Hartline had 14 catches, 267 yards and a touchdown. Look for Miami to use him as their deep threat and have
Brandon Marshall work the intermediate routes in their route combinations. Grabbing a starting wide receiver after Round 16 is amazing value, especially one who averages over 16 yards a catch.
Mark Wimer - Heyward-Bey had a horrid rookie season, but all reports out of spring practices and the early stages of training camp have been glowing. Also, he no longer has to work with the worst NFL QB draft bust in history, JaMarcus "Purple Drank" Russell.
Jason Campbell is an adequate, NFL-caliber quarterback who should greatly improve the Raiders' passing attack from day one. Heyward-Bey could break out this year in the improved Oakland offense, and he's cheap as dirt in drafts right now.
Jeff Tefertiller - Few fantasy owners are familiar with Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson. The ex-Kentucky Wildcat has outplayed the higher draft pick,
James Hardy, since the outset. With the departure of
Terrell Owens, the Bills are looking for a wide receiver to emerge as the starter across from
Lee Evans. Johnson has received the most reps at the position in early camps and began training camp as the starter. He is competing with Hardy and rookie
Marcus Easley to start. Johnson has the inside track to be the opening day starter. The quarterback mess in Buffalo could limit the upside, but coach Chan Gailey has performed his magic before, transforming the lackluster Dolphin and Chief offenses into productive passing attacks. Can he do the same with the Bills? Not many times can a fantasy owner get a NFL starter this late in drafts. If Johnson can keep his grasp on the starting gig, he can be a fantasy spot starter most weeks.
Jeff Pasquino - The 49ers could be the next team to step up and win the NFC West, a division that seems to be wide open after
Kurt Warner's retirement in Arizona. Most are expecting San Francisco to win games on the ground with
Frank Gore, but the 49ers actually have solid receiving options throughout their starting lineup.
Vernon Davis was the top fantasy tight end last season and
Michael Crabtree came on strong in the second half of 2009. With defenses trying to cover both of those targets and account for Gore, Morgan will have plenty of space to get open and steal catches and touchdowns this year.
Sigmund Bloom - When
Torry Holt is the only thing standing between someone and playing time, you have to like their chances of getting on the field. Tate went on IR to prematurely end his rookie year, but he had a terrific offseason, and he will be competing to line up outside opposite
Randy Moss. We all know how explosive this Patriots pass offense can be when everything is clicking, and with Tate having a chance to win a spot in the base set, he is more than worth the 20th round pick it would take get him.
Will Grant - Walter has never been a quality fantasy player, but in 2007 he finished as WR36 and in 2008, he cracked the top 20. Last year was a down season for Walter, but he should bounce back this year. His ADP is about where he finished last season -- WR63. Walter is a starting WR on a team that threw for 4800 yards last season. He has a lot of upside for a guy who going in the 15th round.
Colin Dowling - The Titans offense isn't exactly ripe with opportunity for pass-catchers. And with
Kenny Britt, two talented tight ends, and
Chris Johnson around there isn't a lot of room for a new face to be productive. But something tells me Damien Williams, who was very productive at USC and has had a great offseason, might find his way on to the stat sheet sooner than later. He's physically more gifted then Britt and if he (Britt) continues having trouble with his consistency then an opportunity for Williams could present itself.
Matt Waldman - Beneath the flab and lack of conditioning that caused Williams to bounce around the NFL is a receiver with strong technical skill. Where
Larry Fitzgerald is a faster Cris Carter I think Williams can be a more dynamic
Keyshawn Johnson if he plays up to his ability. Those are big shoes to fill, but Williams has quickly progressed from minicamp sideshow to viable candidate to win the starting job opposite
T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Williams has been the one receiver I have consistently targeted at the very end of each draft this spring/summer.