Salt of the Earth Players (1 Viewer)

[Leonard Henry -2 Yds]

Every year there's a decent amount of unspectacular players that get the job done. Of course, we're all making our trade offers for all of the elite talent, but what are some salty unspectacular players you're targeting right now? I'm mostly just looking for players everyone hates to have on their team, your Hines Wards, Derrick Masons, Donald Drivers, Jamal Lewises, Fred Taylors, etc (read: not necessarily old, but that usually factors in). These guys have always done us well in the past, but we all know we'd instantly pull the trigger if someone actually offered us something for them. These are players you actually want to USE for the rest of the season, because you probably won't be able to unload them.

Santana Moss - nobody really likes this guy, but he's getting it done. I could see trading higher pre-draft ranked players like NYG Steve Smith, Michael Crabtree, even Marques Colston or selling high on guys like Kevin Walter, Mark Clayton, or Eddie Royal. I can see him finishing with around 80 catches 1000+ yards and 6 tubs. His stock has probably risen from his recent productivity, but the bottom line is, everybody hates Santana Moss.

Cadillac Williams - If you're an owner, try offering him in a trade and you'll simply be laughed at. Guess how many RBs through 2 weeks have more rush attempts than him? One. He's getting the opportunity, and in all likelihood most owners really don't want him. I think he's a good guy to trade for on the cheap, especially if you're one of the poor saps starting any of the Dallas RBs.

Tony Gonzalez - I think this is the year where he's sort of lost his name value, and owners are beginning to freak out that it might finally be his demise. Nobody wants to be the guy that drafted Shaun Alexander, but I think he'll still put up great stats as a middle of the road guy that can be had relatively cheap. I'm assuming you can trade an up and comer like Zach Miller with a throw in and grab him. I'd even be willing to trade down for him with a guy like Finley if you can get another quality player.

Ben Roethlisberger - Everyone knows his high points per game totals, which have been discussed extensively on this site. I'm only suggesting him being salty because year after year he's drafted as a low QB1 or high QB2 no matter what type of season he has. A lot of owners take a QBBC approach, so if they ran with Cutler/Big Ben and you're rolling with someone like Vick you might be able to get him cheap or get him as a throw-in for a bigger deal since he's still suspended.

What are your guys' salt of the earth targets?

 

[solorca]

These are usually the type of guys that I will have ranked slightly above the average. For that reason, I have Hines Ward, Derrick Mason, and Cadillac Williams on my team. Usually it pays off for me, but so far this season they have all been disappointments.

 

[shader]

Caddy is garbage, but you may be right...so many people think he's garbage that you can probably have him for next to nothing and he'll perform ok against bad defenses.

But he's still garbage.

Gonzalez has virtually no value in today's TE-happy NFL.

 

[garosenb]

It's an interesting thread, particularly since I was just offered Gonzalez straight up for Matt Ryan in a PPR league. What worries me about Gonzalez is that he has averaged only a few targets per game the first few weeks here. I am trying to figure out if he has lost a step or if there is value to be had for the remainder of the year.

 

[Phrenchdude]

how about Portis? similar to Moss, noone would really want him on their roster, he's supposed to be breaking down or one of his body parts at least at any moment right now. Meanwhile, he's a regular contributor, gets the job done. So until it lasts i guess, it's good to have, but i doubt anyone would really trade FOR him.

Kevin Walter fits the mold as well. He seems to be what Brandon Stokeley was a little, only he's the #2 WR instead of the #3 that Stokely was on the Colts. Unsexy pick but he can put up a decent average of points. And you probably wouldnt frown too much about packagin him in a trade.

I like this kind of players: not flashy but quietly gets you points, and cheap to acquire. Reliability is under-rated

 

[treat88]

This may be a little more below the radar than most are looking for, but I would take a long look at Earl Bennett.

He is the most polished route runner and has the most consistent hands of the Bears wideouts. Now, with the Aromashodu demotion, he assumes the slot role in a Martz led offense, a role that has produced PPR gold in Az Hakim and Mike Furrey.

Knox and Hester are going to make the splash plays, and Olsen is likely to take some of his looks, but if he stays healthy, Bennett may be in line for a substantial number of targets.

Low risk, medium to high reward depending on how things shakeout.

 

[Leonard Henry -2 Yds]

Bennett is pretty deep. I'm in 3 full IDP leagues 10-12 teams and he's not rostered in a single one.

Shader, your post had me chuckling. That's the whole point with Caddy--everyone cringes at having some of these guys on their team, but I'm trying to put aside all irrational hatred and fix some of my flex spots and low end #3 receivers so I'm trying this "Salt of the Earth" strategy out this year. So far it seems to be working. I managed to trade away piddly Mike Thomas to an owner for a salty guy. He came into my office later that day and THANKED me for "getting him off his team".

 

[dagwood]

I think veteran WR's are the one's who really fall in this category.

Hines Ward

Santana Moss

They can produce comparable to receivers drafted 3-4 rounds earlier in the draft.

 

[CaptainHook]

santana moss and portis are incredible value this year

 

[Jayrod]

In a 10 team PPR, one guy dropped Santana Moss outright.

I picked him up immediately on waivers and started him last week. He put up a great score in PPR (18.1).