Fantasy Draft: Part 2 ~ "Under-rated"

As the second installment in this three-blog series, I intend to tackle the underrated players that could be classifed as either late round steals, sleepers, or quite simply overlooked. I believe this section helps you to round out your roster depth, allowing you to focus on the quality starters that should be drafted in rounds 1-10.

I also believe that this element of your draft is the most crucial as it can make or break your season. Mid-season injuries, key "roster fillers", and break-out years are typical symptoms of a successful fantasy season. Look for these players to utilize for great mid-season trades or if undrafted, a great post-draft pick-up, when trying to get the top-tier players with two upper mid-tier player trade, bringing your roster within league guidelines, but not deminishing the value and depth of your line-up.

QB ~ Chad Pennington: I KNOW!!! Injury prone. However, Chad and the Jets are posed to have a great season with most analysts picking them to win at least 10 games. With "Man-genius" behind the wheel, depth at RB (T.Jones, L.Washington), and solid WRs (L.Coles, J.Cotchery), a stud of young lineman, and an underrated TE (C. Baker), Chad has more than enough options and protection to make have a big year.

QB ~ Alex Smith: This young man is going to put up bigger numbers than Matt Leinart. Sorry all you 'Zona hopefulls, it isn't happening this year. Both should be a fantastic bye-week filler, but I believe that Alex Smith demonstrated consistency, fantasy-wise, last year and will be even better with the addition (WR Darrell "TD" Jackson), a great back-up for Frank Gore (RB Robinson), and a more knowledged and seasoned Vernon Davis (break-out year). His offensive line is better than average, he is fairly mobile, and has improved his "reads" with each game. His defense is a sleeper candidate and will keep them on the field. Joe Nedney doesn't hurt at kicker, either.

QB ~ Duante Culpepper: Even if Josh McCown starts the season (although I don't believe that to be the case), I believe that he is a great "chance" on draft, being able to scoop him up in the last three rounds gives you a chance to go up and reach for a top-end D/ST (Ravens, Chargers, Patriots, Bears). With Porter & Curry, Jordan and Rhodes, he will have enough position players to go to, as long as they perform well. The defense is considered a sleeper candidate by most mock drafts and drafting lists, however, I think they aren't worthy of drafting, but worthy enough to keep them in the game. Don't expect Oakland to be as awful as they were last year... not yet!

RB ~ Brian Westbrook: Yes, he is a top 10 running back, however, he is significantly under-valued due to his "24 hour injury watch". Additionally, McNabb also has shown durability issues. With all that said, I can honestly say that Buckhalter will share some touches to keep Brian fresh, the view from the sidelines of how functional the offense can be behind Garcia had to show Donovan that he doesn't have to do it with his feet, and the emergence of Reggie Brown as the top receiver and key free-agent pick-up, speedy Kevin Curtis will be a plus. Additionally, it appears that L.J. Smith will be back in the offensive fold.

RB ~ Julius Jones: I realize he is "sharing the load" with M.Barber III, but that can be an advantage to Julius and a lose to Barber. No longer will Julius be carted out of the lineup whenever they are within the 20's. He will now see more touches there and equal load inbetween the 20's. Expect him to lose about 200 yds, bringing him to around 800+ yds, but increase in TDs, from 5 - 9 or 10. Additionally, the offensive line is back, Romo has something to prove, and with injuries plaguing the WR corp. (T. Owens & T.Glenn), it gives more opportunity for the run to take place to establish field position and clock management.

RB ~ Deuce McCallister: Reggie Bush? Consider Bush to be used more as a scat-back than anything else, swinging out on split-back sets or running the delays and play-actions. Deuce will accrue at least 1,000 yds and get the end zone touches with less than 5 yds or less. Reggie will specialize on returns and even swing-out and line-up as a receiver. Sean Payton WILL use both of them and their individual gifts to make this a productive offense.

RB ~ Chester Taylor: Yes, Adrian Peterson is the future. Yes, Chester Taylor was sort of a bust last year but only because proper expectations weren't placed in regards to his fantasy output. Taylor is the starter, and eventually Peterson will take more and more touches away from him, but Chester is still posed for 1,000 yds and at least 6+ TDs. He is a fantastic 3/4th RB on your depth chart and should be drafted accordingly. Look to get him in the 8-10th rounds to give yourself RB depth. (Without it, you are committing fantasy suicide)

RB ~ Jerious Norwood: Warrick Dunn is done. Maybe not at the beginning of the season, but definitely by mid-season. He doesn't have the durability he once had (age plays a factor) and Jerious has shown game-breaking ability, especially late last year. If you are in a keeper league and Lynch and Peterson are gone, look to snag him in the 4/5th round... if you aren't, you can easily grab him in the 7/8th round and steal him as a great 3rd RB on your depth chart. By mid-season, he could be one of your starters and you trading away a upper-tier back to get depth at another position (weak draft or injury).

WR ~ Matt Jones: Here is a guy that I watched slip down to the 10th round in almost every league I drafted in. If there is a choice between the early third-tier WRs, he is it. He put up more TDs in half the games as the other WR in Jacksonville. With Garrard at the helm, the defensive units have to account for his mobility, freeing up the WR corp. of JAX to do more things. Additionally, the three RB committeed (M.J-D, Taylor, Greg Jones) will make it more effective to get passes accomplished. I love this guy in fantasy sports. ABSOLUTE FANTASY STEAL!!!

WR ~ Drew Bennett: Here is another guy who goes either undrafted or atleast makes it to the 12th round. With Holt, Bruce, Jackson, and McMichael, this guy has flown under the radar. Here is a speedy WR (although injury-prone, but who isn't besides Jackson on the STL squad) that put up huge points in Tennessee of all places. Bruce is overrated and slowing down, Bennett is one player you won't be sorry to draft as your 4/5th WR on the depth chart. With Holt injured (knee), expect Drew to have a great early season. If for nothing else, he will be great trade-bait early in the season [package deal for upper-tier players for teams looking for depth]

WR ~ Brandon Marshall: Out of a little known school in Central Florida, I watched this kid against the SC Gamecocks his senior year. He is a monster and WILL take the 2nd WR spot from Stokley and Smith, maybe not initially due to injury, but by week 3, he will be the man opposite Javon Walker. He is another late, late round pick-up that will make you look like a fantasy genius by mid-season. . Snag one or two top/mid tier WR to get your line-up setup, then focus on building up RB, QB, and a solid TE, before venturing into WR-land again, picking up some of the guys listed here. Marshall is DEFINITELY one of them.

TE ~ Heath Miller: Big Ben loves Heath (I saw that on a tree) Actually it is fairly accurate. Ward and Holmes will see the ball, sure... but when it's endzone talk, all eyes or on Big Willie, freeing up Miller to make a huge splash in the fantasy world (as he did his rookie year) He will go late because of last year's performance (injuries both to himself and Big Ben). I can see 650 yds and 6/7 TDs. He will be 8/9th on most people's cheat sheets, so it gives you a chance to focus on the three power positions (QB, RB, WR).

TE ~ Desmond Clark: I have watched him go undrafted in many a league... Greg Olsen was the biggest reason, but he is now injured (knee) and Clark was relied on heaviliy by Grossman last season. Don't expect less, Grossman hasn't really improved. Griese, Rex's back-up, is also known throughout his career, to rely on the TE as a great check-down in his offensive outlook. Berrian (late 2nd tier) and Muhammad (mid 3rd tier) will see the ball, but aren't elusive enough to take away from Clark's potential touches.

As previously stated in Part 1 of this blog series, there are plenty of underrated players (Troy Williams, Edgerrin James, Jerricho Cotchery, Chris Baker) however I wanted to highlight those that can be drafted later than you would think (name recognition), because they are injured, or because people just simply under-value fantasy "potential" and seek for familiarality in their players ("I get'em every year and....").

I hope this assists you with your post-draft trades (free agent pick-ups), late round gems, and overall roster depth to help you along your way to a league championship trophy.

Statistocrat

ON DECK: Fantasy Draft: Part 3: Injured Players to draft and future injury replacements.