The ones who seem to have flown under the radar (1 Viewer)

[Sinrman]

After today, I glanced at a few players, curious at how they ended the season, and was surprised. Here are some that did pretty well, and could be nice steals next year, methinks. Most have lower TDs, but if your league includes yardage, these could certainly be mid-late rounder fliers next year (or ones that people may forget or let slide a bit due to various circumstances)...

Anquan Boldin: 14 games -- 102 receptions -- 1402 receiving yards -- 7 TDs

*** Plays on a pitiful Cardinal team. QB situation was up in the air, though Warner and McCown did fairly well from time to time. If they can get a decent running game going, and cement someone at QB, Boldin and Fitz could be the top WR duo in the league (might already be, or at least close).

Larry Fitzgerald: 16 games -- 103 receptions -- 1409 receiving yards -- 10 TDs

*** Also plays on a pitiful Cardinals team. Had a few more TDs than Boldin, but also played 2 more games than Boldin. Reception and yard #'s almost identical.

Ernest Wilford: 16 games (only 8 started) -- 41 receptions -- 681 receiving yards -- 7 TDs

*** Inconsistent overall, especially yardage-wise (only 3 decent yardage games all year, but also keep in mind he only started in half the games). But the 7 TDs were spread amongst 7 games, which is nice to have. Seemed to click with Leftwich, until he got injured. Could be one that people forget about next season.

Ben Troupe: 15 games (only 12 started) -- 55 receptions -- 530 receiving yards -- 5 TDs

*** Obviously plays on a sad Titan team. But after Gates, Gonzalez, and probably Heap, the TEs are up in the air, and many will slide. Troupe could be a nice pick in the mid-late rounds.

Derrick Mason: 16 games -- 86 receptions -- 1073 receiving yards -- 3 TDs

*** The Ravens offense was in shambles all year. Despite the lack of a running game, and the QB question all year, Mason quietly had a decent season. The TDs were low, but we can only hope that this goes up next year, when they retool things. I think some will forget about him, and let him slide in drafts next year.

Reuben Droughns: 16 games -- 309 carries/39 receptions -- 1232 rushing yards/369 receiving yards -- 2 TDs

*** Won't slide too much, being a RB and all, but he could be a decent pickup as a #2 RB, or strong #3 if you go RB-RB-RB in your drafts next year. Production reminds me a lot of Warrick Dunn, who quietly produces every year. Cleveland plays very conservatively, and run-first team, so these stats are quite good.

Antonio Bryant: 16 games (only 15 started) -- 69 receptions -- 1009 receiving yards -- 4 TDs

*** Someone brought this up earlier today. Bryant has quietly put up very respectable numbers, on a very conservative offense. Could slide a good bit next year, since he plays for Cleveland, and Edwards will likely be taken before him.

Chris Chambers: 16 games -- 82 receptions -- 1118 receiving yards -- 11 TDs

*** Won't really be a big surprise next year, but he came on VERY strong at the end of this season, and had Gus Frerotte chucking the rock to him most of the season. Get the QB thing figured out, and this guy could enter elite status next season. Will be interesting to see where he falls in drafts next year.

Deion Branch: 16 games (only 15 started) -- 78 receptions -- 998 receiving yards -- 5 TDs

*** This man continues to not be respected. But once again, he has put together some very respectable numbers, and could be a nice pick in mid-late rounds again next year.

Eddie Kennison: 16 games -- 68 receptions -- 1102 receiving yards -- 5 TDs

*** Bit inconsistent this year, but I pin a lot of the blame on Trent Green and injuries. Could be another mid-late round pickup that works out nicely. Especially with the emergence of Larry Johnson, and defenses trying to stuff him.

Brandon Lloyd: 16 games (only 15 started) -- 48 receptions -- 733 receiving yards -- 5 TDs

*** Plays for one of the worst teams in the NFL. The QB situation was pathetic this year, yet he managed somewhat respectable numbers. Inconsistent, but can get you a few nice games here and there. Could be a nice late round pick next year.

LJ Smith: 16 games -- 61 receptions -- 682 receiving yards -- 3 TDs

*** Decent numbers, despite losing McNabb, Westbrook, and half the team it seems. I think he's on the verge of breaking out, and could be a nice mid-late round pick next year, especially for TEs.

Who else would you add?

 

[beto]

TJ Houshmanzadeh 14 games -- 78 catches -- 956 yards -- 8 TDsPeople still think Chris Henry is a threat to take catches away.

 

[Loopdog]

i dont see how you could say that Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald flew under the radar.....what radar are you using?its tough to say who will be steals next season, because its still a full year awaybut there are some nice nominees on this list too

 

[Sinrman]

i dont see how you could say that Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald flew under the radar.....what radar are you using?

its tough to say who will be steals next season, because its still a full year away

but there are some nice nominees on this list too

Well, "flew under the radar" could be taken many ways. Both Boldin and Fitz were probably drafted when in leagues this year? 4-6th rounds? I think people were a bit hesitant with the ??? surrounding the rest of their offense. I think next year those questions still remain, if not even moreso since we know so far that JJ Arrington has been a bust. Sure, he could break out next year, or Arizona goes looking elsewhere at RB, but I think some might let these two top WRs fall a little..

 

[jeff_eaglz]

Roy Williams.42 catches in 12 games. 656 yards and 7 TDs.With all the issues in Detroit and a potential 3rd year breakout, a good sleeper.

 

[zamboni]

Derrick Mason: 16 games -- 86 receptions -- 1073 receiving yards -- 3 TDs

*** The Ravens offense was in shambles all year. Despite the lack of a running game, and the QB question all year, Mason quietly had a decent season. The TDs were low, but we can only hope that this goes up next year, when they retool things. I think some will forget about him, and let him slide in drafts next year.

Good call here.I started a thread a week or so ago indicating how strong of a season Mason had despite a horrendous offense (both QB and RB play).

He doesn't get the recognition since the TDs are so light, but again, I think that's the offense holding him back. While Boller showed something in weeks 15 and 16, I think yesterday's performance may have Billick considering other options or competition for Boller next year.

With a better QB situation, I think Mason has room for upside next year, obviously in the TD department. An up and coming solid secondary receiver in Clayton can only help as well.

 

[Bloom]

Great subject.Boldin and Fitzgerald are on most people's radar by now. I actually think they may be in for a bit of a drop - if Arizona develops any running game whatsoever, the targets will have to go down.Wilford is a tough call. On one hand, he definitely broke out as a big play WR this year. On the other hand, he seemed to only be able to catch balls with a high degree of difficulty and did not establish himself as a dependable WR this year. Im not sure if Wilford can be a true #1 because of that. I think the main factor to watch is whether Jimmy Smith is phased out of the offense and if so, whether wilford or matt jones becomes the #1.Troupe is gonna blow up if he stays healthy, no doubt about it.Mason is solid and will be underrated next year, but the QB uncertainty is an issue, and mark Clayton and Todd heap are both good enough to keep mason's targets down. Also if the Ravens play from ahead a little more, they wont be passing as much as they did this year.Droughns should be signed long term by the browns after the way he performed for the first 3/4 of the season. Should be a top 15-20 RB at worst.Bryant's big question is where will be and what will be his role. his value could explode if a team like the eagles go after him, but he could also be relegated to fighting for a starting spot somewhere. i like his ability to get open, fewer drops would be nice.Chambers and Lee Evans could both make leaps to a notch below Steve Smith with consistent QB play.Branch could definitely explode if Givens walks, however i see Ben Watson emerging as a top target in that offense next year and Branch being about the same.Kennison's problems early were definitely because of Green's ineffectiveness, good call. Once Green got on track, kennison was back to WR1/WR2 fantasy numbers.Lloyd is still too inconsistent for my liking. I like Battle and even Eric Johnson (if his foot is healthy) better than Lloyd.LJ should improve with a full year of McNabb, his stats went off a cliff in the 2nd half of the year.Ill add some when i get time to think about it later - your list was a great start.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

As someone above mentioned, Houshmandzadeh is a guy who should also be on this list. When both he and CJ were on the field, Housh went almost stride for stride with CJ in terms of fantasy points.Another guy who could be on here is Portis. I know that most realize he had a pretty solid year, but really his numbers were almost up there with his numbers from his last year in Denver, where he was a top 2 fantasy pick.

 

[ThisGuy]

Fitzgerald is no way under anyone's radar. Boldin was this year, but shouldn't be next year.I took Andre Johnson over Fitz this year

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

R. Moss could be great value for next season. He went over 1000yds and had 8 td's in a down year where he was injured for a huge chunk of the season. Look for him to get back on track and be a top 5 fantasy WR next season.

 

[J-Money]

Fitz and Chambers helped make up for my mistakes in drafting Andre Johnson, Roy Williams, and Drew Bennett...

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Derrick Mason:  16 games -- 86 receptions -- 1073 receiving yards -- 3 TDs

*** The Ravens offense was in shambles all year.  Despite the lack of a running game, and the QB question all year, Mason quietly had a decent season.  The TDs were low, but we can only hope that this goes up next year, when they retool things.  I think some will forget about him, and let him slide in drafts next year.

Good call here.I started a thread a week or so ago indicating how strong of a season Mason had despite a horrendous offense (both QB and RB play).

He doesn't get the recognition since the TDs are so light, but again, I think that's the offense holding him back. While Boller showed something in weeks 15 and 16, I think yesterday's performance may have Billick considering other options or competition for Boller next year.

I agree. I had him in a ppr league and he did well for me.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

The Cardinals had the most yards passing this year.

WHO KNEW!?!?

 

[Sinrman]

As someone above mentioned, Houshmandzadeh is a guy who should also be on this list. When both he and CJ were on the field, Housh went almost stride for stride with CJ in terms of fantasy points.

Another guy who could be on here is Portis. I know that most realize he had a pretty solid year, but really his numbers were almost up there with his numbers from his last year in Denver, where he was a top 2 fantasy pick.

I view Chad Johnson and Housh as a younger version of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. They have a great QB throwing the ball to them, and have top RBs taking some of the heat off. In fact, they may even surpass the Indy boys next year if Edge leaves and they don't have a suitable replacement...