NFL Fantasy Sleepers
By Josh Roth
Justin Hunter WR Tennessee Titans:
Justin Hunter could be primed for a big season with the Titans. A supremely talented wide receiver who had a very mediocre rookie campaign last year. However, it does take wide outs a bit of time to adjust to the playbook and get on the same page with their quarter backs. Last year when Hunter was targeted six or more times (Only 3 games) he averaged about 91 yards per game and had two touchdown grabs ion those three contests. If he can get those targets that would put him at an average between 1,400 and 1,500 yards and 10-11 touchdowns.
The good news for Hunter is that this team has other weapons here that will help be the big play wide receiver that this team needs. They have Kendall Wright, whohad a very solid year in 2013 and is a great compliment to Justin Hunter. If they can get some key production from the running game with Shonn Green and rookie Bishop Sankey, this Titans offense could be pretty good.
However there are a couple of things to worry about. Those questions all surround the quarterback position. Is Jake Locker going to be good enough to get him the appropriate chances? Is Jake Locker going to stay healthy? And is there any other quarterbacks on that roster that can help Hunter shine? Those are some major questions that are hard to answer, but if Jake can prove to be a viable quarterback then Hunter should have a pretty solid year.
Darren McFadden RB Oakland Raiders:
There is no doubt that Darren McFadden is supremely talented running back, but injuries have held him back through out his entire career. It is a bit of a risk putting him on this list, but I think with the addition of Maurice Jones-Drew this could actually benefit McFadden quite a bit. The big one is he won't be forced to carry the load and can get appropriate rest for any nagging injuries that may occur. The second key reason that Drew will help is that McFadden can be used more on third down sets which I believe he could have a very good season as a receiving back (key for PPR leagues). McFadden is very elusive and when healthy is extremely dangerous in the passing game.
The biggest question that has plagued Darren McFadden throughout his entire career has always been injuries and is the only thing really holding him back from being a really nice fantasy option. From all reports, it sounds like McFadden looks healthy for the first time in a long while and he also looks like his old dynamic self. When healthy he is a very capable 1,000 plus rusher with 10 plus touchdowns and 500 plus receiving yards. If he can revert back to his 2010 season then he is going to be fantastic RB2/Flex play.
Kenny Britt WR St. Louis Rams:
Another very talented athlete on this list marred by an injury riddled career. Kenny Britt started his career on a positive note with back to back 700 plus yard receiving and a sophomore season that saw him haul in nine touchdown passes. However, a torn ACL in 2011 and some off the field issues have kept the talented wide outt from reaching his true potential. Now he gets a second chance to rectify his career.
Sam Bradford has desperately been looking for a top target and has really not had anything close to a true number one or even number two option in the passing game his entire career. Britt may be the closest thing to a top target that Bradford has ever had the privilege to work with. So Kenny Britt should see a lot of targets and having Tavon Austin there will give him a good compliment receiver to work with. If the Rams offense can actually move the ball, he could be a top red zone target as well.
Right now it sounds like he is finally completely recovered from his ACL and injuries shouldn't be as big of a concern as some of the others on the list. The true question mark will be the off the field and character issues that have tarnished his career. If he can turn that around he is a potentially good WR2/Flex. Be warned in PPR leagues however, he may not put up great reception totals, but touchdowns could make up for that.
Shonn Greene RB Tennessee Titans:
Shonn Greene may not be the feature running back that you are looking for, but he could quietly have a good season as a third running back on teams and a good flex play. Bishop Sankey and injuries will be the the two hurdles he will have to get over. Sankey is an extremely talented rookie running back out of Washington and he will likely see his fair share of carries.
However, even if Sankey takes over as the top back in Tennessee, Greene could be the top choice as the goal line back which means touchdowns! Plus I believe that the Titans offense will be much more dynamic this season allowing for more opportunities for Greene to score. It's not just Sankey though, the injuries are something he will have to overcome. When he was healthy Greene was a solid option in his days with the Jets. In 2011-2012 he had over 1,000 yards rushing in both seasons and had 14 touchdowns in those seasons. Keep in mind that the Jets were a pass first team in those days and it seemed like Greene was underused in those seasons. As long as the Titans don't get pass happy he should get some opportunities.
Like I said, this isn't a top running back option, but he is solid option for deep leagues and could be a solid flex play in most leagues. Bishop Sankey will have to be elite in order for Greene to have little to no value. That is not likely so he is worth a flyer.
Travis Kelce TE Kansas City Chiefs:
Travis Kelce, a third round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati, could emerge as a big time tight end in Kansas City. There is no stats to go off of from a year ago, but has had a great preseason thus far. He has caught 6 of 7 targets for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Now I do realize this is just preseason, but Kelce is a huge target with an ideal body type for a tight end. Not overly explosive but a very solid athlete that can stretch the field, has good hands and is a tremendous run blocker. You may be sitting there saying, "what the heck does run blocking have anything to do with fantasy projections?" Well it means that he should see a lot of time on the field and will be a great target to use in goal line situations. If he is as reliable as he has been in this preseason thus far, he could become a very beneficial tight end especially in PPR leagues.