Which players are lying in wait this year... (1 Viewer)

[Gatorman]

Thanks to the gift that is NFL network, I have been watching a lot of preseason games. THe truth is, however, that they really do not give a "perfect" picture as to what will happen once the games really count, so who are those players that we havent seen anything from that likely will be fine coming into the regular season?

A few that come to mind:

Ahmad Bradshaw: Wilson has looked great, but is it the real deal and bradshaw's days are numbered, or is it giving the rookie reps so he can be the change of pace?

Dez Bryant: The kid is a stud physically, but he does have a 2 cent head. Will this latest "wake up call" mean that he flies on the straight and narrow?

The Jet Offense: I have pretty much that whole team crossed off my list, but if they really commit to a "wildcat style" attack with a weapon like Tebow (and admittedly they are holding that offense out of the preseason) whill they be a strong running team?

Detroit's running game: I have the feeling that detroit's starting tailback is on another teams roster right now, so Smith and Leshore are likely wasted picks (James Starks perhaps?)

Larry Fitzgerald: That offense looks like crap, but Larry can get his even when Leinart threw to him...

I'd love to hear others thoughts on this.

 

[Modog814]

Thanks to the gift that is NFL network, I have been watching a lot of preseason games. THe truth is, however, that they really do not give a "perfect" picture as to what will happen once the games really count, so who are those players that we havent seen anything from that likely will be fine coming into the regular season?A few that come to mind:Ahmad Bradshaw: Wilson has looked great, but is it the real deal and bradshaw's days are numbered, or is it giving the rookie reps so he can be the change of pace?Dez Bryant: The kid is a stud physically, but he does have a 2 cent head. Will this latest "wake up call" mean that he flies on the straight and narrow?The Jet Offense: I have pretty much that whole team crossed off my list, but if they really commit to a "wildcat style" attack with a weapon like Tebow (and admittedly they are holding that offense out of the preseason) whill they be a strong running team?Detroit's running game: I have the feeling that detroit's starting tailback is on another teams roster right now, so Smith and Leshore are likely wasted picks (James Starks perhaps?)Larry Fitzgerald: That offense looks like crap, but Larry can get his even when Leinart threw to him...I'd love to hear others thoughts on this.

Wilson looks good, but imo it's Bradshaws team. Though I could see the season starting with Wilson coming in every 4th series and as it progresses he comes in every 3rd. He'll have to wait for a Bradshaw injury or next year to get a bigger role.I think people are writing the Jets off too quickly. No they haven't looked good at all this preseason, but they're learning a new system, the oline has switched from a zone blocking to a man blocking which I think helps Greene, but it could take some time for the oline to get used to. No Holmes for a couple of the games. I think Holmes and Keller are both values at their ADP. Even with the poorest offense, they are really the only 2 threats on the team so they should put up decent numbers. And I think Greene is probably valued right where he should be, but has a little better upside than most think.Don't think Kevin Smith is the answer to Detroits running game. The jury is still out on LeShoure since we haven't seen much of him. I don't think James Starks would be the answer either. I think if you want a Detroit RB, LeShoure is the one to get, just hope that he's decent.I'm not worried too much about Arizona. Probably in the minority, but they should be good for 4000 yards passing (which is what they put up last year). Fitz will get his.

 

[solorca]

I think that naming highly drafted players is a little too easy, because we all know they take it easy during the preseason and are often handled with kid gloves. The players I'm thinking of are the ones who are being drafted in late rounds, or possibly undrafted, who will seemingly come out of nowhere (or at least show in the regular season what they haven't shown in the preseason).

The obvious choices are the high upside players that are already being drafted, like Jacquzz Rodgers and Randall Cobb. Neither guy has really done much to warrant consideration as a breakthrough player with their use in the preseason, but I think both will be very useful to fantasy owners this year.

Some lesser guys...

Louis Murphy - He has taken the #3 receiver job in Carolina, and is looking fantastic since being traded to Carolina. Injuries have always stopped his breakouts in the past with Oakland, but if he can overcome that this season, I think he could be a big surprise. He only has Brandon Lafell in his way to get the #2 job, and while I like Lafell, I think Murphy is the type of guy who can win a lot more touches if he continues impressing coaches.

Leonard Hankerson - After being a trendy pick in the offseason, the high hopes for him seem to have calmed down a bit over the past few months. I think that's a mistake. The Redskins have Pierre Garcon and Fred Davis in front of him as receiving options (along with Moss, etc.), but Hankerson is a talented player who I think could breakout if given the opportunity.

Rob Housler - I'm a big fan of his talent, and think that he will end up as the starting TE in Arizona sooner rather than later. A lot of people look at this as a dynasty pick (and I love him in dynasty leagues), but I think he is a guy who will produce at a very good level for redraft leagues this year.

 

[massraider]

I think that naming highly drafted players is a little too easy, because we all know they take it easy during the preseason and are often handled with kid gloves. The players I'm thinking of are the ones who are being drafted in late rounds, or possibly undrafted, who will seemingly come out of nowhere (or at least show in the regular season what they haven't shown in the preseason). The obvious choices are the high upside players that are already being drafted, like Jacquzz Rodgers and Randall Cobb. Neither guy has really done much to warrant consideration as a breakthrough player with their use in the preseason, but I think both will be very useful to fantasy owners this year. Some lesser guys...Louis Murphy - He has taken the #3 receiver job in Carolina, and is looking fantastic since being traded to Carolina. Injuries have always stopped his breakouts in the past with Oakland, but if he can overcome that this season, I think he could be a big surprise. He only has Brandon Lafell in his way to get the #2 job, and while I like Lafell, I think Murphy is the type of guy who can win a lot more touches if he continues impressing coaches.Leonard Hankerson - After being a trendy pick in the offseason, the high hopes for him seem to have calmed down a bit over the past few months. I think that's a mistake. The Redskins have Pierre Garcon and Fred Davis in front of him as receiving options (along with Moss, etc.), but Hankerson is a talented player who I think could breakout if given the opportunity.Rob Housler - I'm a big fan of his talent, and think that he will end up as the starting TE in Arizona sooner rather than later. A lot of people look at this as a dynasty pick (and I love him in dynasty leagues), but I think he is a guy who will produce at a very good level for redraft leagues this year.

Really agree with Hankerson.Regarding Murphy: Don't hold your breath. Housler: Has any team that Whisenhunt been involved in ever thrown to the TE?

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

Fred Davis TE Redskins. Age 26.

Last year Davis in the same offense with Beck/Grossman combo was on pace for 78 catches, 1061 yards, and 5 td's before being suspended for the final 4 games of the year for smoking weed.

This preseason the Redskins wanted to see what they had in now back up Niles Paul so he was getting a bit more playing time with the first team and seeing some targets to see if Cooley was expendable. Cooley has since been cut so obviously they Redskins think Paul a converted WR to TE can fill in if Davis was to go down to injury or perhaps get caught with weed again.

There is very little buzz on Davis right now, however, Davis is the most talented TE on that roster by a good margin (in 2008 was drafted at 2.17 in NFL draft). Shanny runs a TE friendly system and the same was holding true for Fred Davis last year. He has an upgrade at QB, and I am thinking Davis will be a nice safety outlet for RGIII.

 

[massraider]

Fred Davis TE Redskins. Age 26.Last year Davis in the same offense with Beck/Grossman combo was on pace for 78 catches, 1061 yards, and 5 td's before being suspended for the final 4 games of the year for smoking weed.This preseason the Redskins wanted to see what they had in now back up Niles Paul so he was getting a bit more playing time with the first team and seeing some targets to see if Cooley was expendable. Cooley has since been cut so obviously they Redskins think Paul a converted WR to TE can fill in if Davis was to go down to injury or perhaps get caught with weed again.There is very little buzz on Davis right now, however, Davis is the most talented TE on that roster by a good margin (in 2008 was drafted at 2.17 in NFL draft). Shanny runs a TE friendly system and the same was holding true for Fred Davis last year. He has an upgrade at QB, and I am thinking Davis will be a nice safety outlet for RGIII.

I am on board with this. I love Davis' numbers from last year, and really like the fact that none of RGIII's receivers fit into the possession role. And love that he hasn't done anything in the preseason.

 

[Banger]

B. Lloyd

 

[whatadai]

Julio Jones.

 

[BroadwayG]

MjD

 

[hotboyz]

B. Lloyd

Tom Brady

 

[Sweet Love]

Julio Jones.

Really? At his last week's ADP, he would disappoint if he finished lower than WR#3 overall.

 

[Shawn]

I am thinking Demariyus Thomas will have a better season than Decker when all is said and done

 

[tombonneau]

Fred Davis TE Redskins. Age 26.Last year Davis in the same offense with Beck/Grossman combo was on pace for 78 catches, 1061 yards, and 5 td's before being suspended for the final 4 games of the year for smoking weed.This preseason the Redskins wanted to see what they had in now back up Niles Paul so he was getting a bit more playing time with the first team and seeing some targets to see if Cooley was expendable. Cooley has since been cut so obviously they Redskins think Paul a converted WR to TE can fill in if Davis was to go down to injury or perhaps get caught with weed again.There is very little buzz on Davis right now, however, Davis is the most talented TE on that roster by a good margin (in 2008 was drafted at 2.17 in NFL draft). Shanny runs a TE friendly system and the same was holding true for Fred Davis last year. He has an upgrade at QB, and I am thinking Davis will be a nice safety outlet for RGIII.

Love the lack of buzz on Davis. Plus, how can you not love having an NFL player on your team who acted as his own attorney in court and threw around phrases like "pimpette", "pimp-cup" and "made-up and flagellent." Sign me up, please.Also, echo Brandon Lloyd. I'm a Pats homer and in camp he was the star, nothing but buzz, plays all over the field, him in Brady on the same page from day 1, then a very quiet pre-season. This is very similar to how the Pats unveiled Moss. Obviously it's a different two-tight-end world and Lloyd is no 2007 Moss, but just saying the way the Pats are playing their hand is similar and Lloyd could end up being used a lot more than the pre-season would indicate.

 

[bonesman]

Davis was the first player that came to mind at the title.

 

[Khy]

Fred Davis TE Redskins. Age 26.Last year Davis in the same offense with Beck/Grossman combo was on pace for 78 catches, 1061 yards, and 5 td's before being suspended for the final 4 games of the year for smoking weed.This preseason the Redskins wanted to see what they had in now back up Niles Paul so he was getting a bit more playing time with the first team and seeing some targets to see if Cooley was expendable. Cooley has since been cut so obviously they Redskins think Paul a converted WR to TE can fill in if Davis was to go down to injury or perhaps get caught with weed again.There is very little buzz on Davis right now, however, Davis is the most talented TE on that roster by a good margin (in 2008 was drafted at 2.17 in NFL draft). Shanny runs a TE friendly system and the same was holding true for Fred Davis last year. He has an upgrade at QB, and I am thinking Davis will be a nice safety outlet for RGIII.

I'm also on the Fred Davis train. Wouldn't be surprised if he finished in the Top 3-5 of TE's this season if he stays healthy and unsuspended. I'd say Graham is my only 100% on beating him out, he still has no real competition for targets save Sproles and Colston. Gronk and Hernandez are likely to be splitting more targets and add into that the addition of Brandon Lloyd and I don't see Gronk coming close to last years numbers. I'm also in on the Gates train this year, but I feel like Gates is a 'hopeful' leap as opposed to real proof. The guy has been hurt a LOT these past two seasons so there are no guarantees he is the same guy we last saw dominate the field. Wouldn't be shocked if Davis went somewhere in the range of 85/1100/8.

 

[SammyJankis]

Jon Baldwin - He hasn't done much in the preseason but all reports are glowing. There is going to be an early game, maybe week 2 @BUF that he's going to have a big one, followed by a waiver wire stampede to pick him up.

 

[flc735]

lloyd. randy moss didn't do anything the preseason of that record breaking year

locker, if he counts

mercedes lewis. gabbert looks much better and lewis should get closer to that 10 td year he had a few years back

 

[mr roboto]

Ryan Williams. Got him in the 11th in a 12 team league.

Even guys in my dynasty league have forgotten him. LeShoure gets all the pub but Williams was a better prospect IMO (also according to Waldman last year)

 

[Sienna2012]

Titus Young

 

[cr8f]

Ryan Williams. Got him in the 11th in a 12 team league. Even guys in my dynasty league have forgotten him. LeShoure gets all the pub but Williams was a better prospect IMO (also according to Waldman last year)

Yeah me too 13th in an IDP.

 

[EBF]

Jon Baldwin - He hasn't done much in the preseason but all reports are glowing. There is going to be an early game, maybe week 2 @BUF that he's going to have a big one, followed by a waiver wire stampede to pick him up.

This was my guess as well. I could also see it being somebody like Jon Dwyer or Sidney Rice. Dwyer is getting very little pub, but seems like he could be the top back for Pittsburgh until Mendenhall returns.

 

[Tree Shaker]

Brandon LaFell

Electric young QB and Steve Smith's foot is ailing. He could get some WR1 action early, then benefit from Smith's return and subsequent double-teams.

At the very least he should outperform his ADP; he was undrafted in our league.

 

[Stryker]

Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, Tom Brady to name a few..

 

[LawFitz]

Randy Moss gonna blow the haters one last kiss.

 

[aceofspades]

I am thinking Demariyus Thomas will have a better season than Decker when all is said and done

May depend on which side they line up on.Word is Peyton is still having a little trouble throwing to the right beyond 10 yds (due to ye olde neck). I like Decker a little better for speed and clean route running.

 

[Stryker]

Randy Moss gonna blow the haters one last kiss.

I hope you're right.

 

[bengalbuck]

Randy Moss gonna blow the haters one last kiss.

That was going to be my answer also. Hasn't received many snaps or targets in the preseason, but I suspect Harbaugh knows what he has and doesn't need any extra wear and tear on an old guy.I also think Sidney Rice and Austin Collie are two guys who may be healthier than expected and could thrive as they are both talented and have skill sets that fit in well with the talents of their rookie QBs. And the depth charts for each look pretty wide open.

 

[massraider]

Just finished my three drafts in last three days.

Guys I wound up 'lying in wait' for:

QB:

Rivers

Fitzgerald

Bradford

Got Rivers as a backup in two leagues, believe it or not. One major guppy league, the other where two guys that needed QB underestimated how early the 11th and 12th QB would go. They got greedy, I saw no value at WR and RB, and took BPA. One thing about redrafts this year, there's a spot right around WR 30 and RB15 where there are a ton of guys that all have warts. The next three rounds of players are all kind of in a group.

RB:

Ryan Matthews

Jonathan Stewart

Ryan Williams

You can go WR/TE/QB early, and grab all three of these guys. Nothing says a guy with an injury early is gonna be hurt all year. Got all three starting in the 5th round in a casual league. Which doesn't do those of you in serious leagues any good, but for casual leagues, it seems owners don't full research injuries, and just avoid guys.

WR:

Kenny Britt

Reggie Wayne

Sidney Rice

Vincent Brown

At their ADP, I love the possibilities. Rice is much more of a longshot, but if Britt is healthy, even missing a game or two from a suspension, there is a good chance you can get WR1 production. Vincent Brown is a personal pick, think I got him in all three leagues. I just think Meacham is doggy doo (Wasn't a stuf with Brees, in a dome, but NOW he's gonna be the guy? I don't see it). He is being drafted in a spot where you don't need him to start, and I think he could easily be a flex or WR3 by playoff time. It's a long wait for 6 weeks or whatever, but I like him a lot.

TE:

Fred Davis

Greg Olsen

Considering the numbers that came from the TE spot in both cities, and the departure of Shockey, and addition of RGIII, I don't see why these guys aren't going earlier. If you can't get Graham/Gronk (and Gates, IMO), these are the guys I would go fo, 4 rounds after other TEs.

Defense:

Cincinnati

Check out that early season schedule.

 

[Tanner9919]

Just finished my three drafts in last three days. Guys I wound up 'lying in wait' for:QB: RiversFitzgeraldBradfordGot Rivers as a backup in two leagues, believe it or not. One major guppy league, the other where two guys that needed QB underestimated how early the 11th and 12th QB would go. They got greedy, I saw no value at WR and RB, and took BPA. One thing about redrafts this year, there's a spot right around WR 30 and RB15 where there are a ton of guys that all have warts. The next three rounds of players are all kind of in a group.RB: Ryan MatthewsJonathan StewartRyan WilliamsYou can go WR/TE/QB early, and grab all three of these guys. Nothing says a guy with an injury early is gonna be hurt all year. Got all three starting in the 5th round in a casual league. Which doesn't do those of you in serious leagues any good, but for casual leagues, it seems owners don't full research injuries, and just avoid guys. WR:Kenny BrittReggie WayneSidney RiceVincent BrownAt their ADP, I love the possibilities. Rice is much more of a longshot, but if Britt is healthy, even missing a game or two from a suspension, there is a good chance you can get WR1 production. Vincent Brown is a personal pick, think I got him in all three leagues. I just think Meacham is doggy doo (Wasn't a stuf with Brees, in a dome, but NOW he's gonna be the guy? I don't see it). He is being drafted in a spot where you don't need him to start, and I think he could easily be a flex or WR3 by playoff time. It's a long wait for 6 weeks or whatever, but I like him a lot. TE:Fred DavisGreg OlsenConsidering the numbers that came from the TE spot in both cities, and the departure of Shockey, and addition of RGIII, I don't see why these guys aren't going earlier. If you can't get Graham/Gronk (and Gates, IMO), these are the guys I would go fo, 4 rounds after other TEs. Defense:CincinnatiCheck out that early season schedule.

good call on Cincy defense and Kenny Britt is also lying in wait.

 

[Shutout]

Julio Jones.

Really? At his last week's ADP, he would disappoint if he finished lower than WR#3 overall.

There's going to be a lot of disappointment then.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

It wouldn't surprise me if Gresham breaks out this year.