With the 2011 NFL Combine underway and the 2011 NFL Draft creeping up, its time to start thinking about fantasy football again.
Every year new fantasy sleepers break-out into huge roles, and usually it has everything to do with changing roles, changing teams, or major injuries. Who are some major fantasy players that could be next year’s break-out stars, but are currently held back by their status on their current team?
Check out the top 10 guys buried behind other players that could thrive if given the chance:
Rashad Jennings, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Is there a more interesting back-up running back in the league. Jennings has been sitting behind one of fantasy football’s top stud runners, Maurice Jones-Drew, while randomly showing his talents off in mop-up duty. Despite backing up one of the best running backs in football, Jennings still found his way to two 100+ rushing days, and scored four times on the season. If MJD can’t recover from knee issues that kept him out of the final three games of the season, Jennings could finally step out of his shadow. If nothing else, Jennings has to be one of the top hand-cuff running backs going into 2011 fantasy drafts.
Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys
He’s still technically behind Felix Jones and Marion Barber, but we all should have discovered by now that he shouldn’t be. Choice has an excellent blend of speed, power, and vision, and has done enough to get more playing time. Barber is slowing down and Jones doesn’t appear to be a legit full-time starter, so Choice still has a shot at eventually earning the top spot in Dallas. There has also been talk of his being a trading piece, so keep an eye on him if he moves elsewhere.
Kevin Kolb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
There is no denying Kolb’s erratic play and indecisiveness when under center in Philly, but there’s also no way we can ignore his potential as a fantasy quarterback. He’s stuck behind Michael Vick and the future is looking bleak in Philadelphia, but if Vick goes down or Kolb gets traded, his fantasy value would sky-rocket.
Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers
Nelson could have easily been in the running for Super Bowl MVP this year, as he hauled in nine receptions for over 140 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay’s win. In fact, if it weren’t for a few drops, he could have easily had well over 10 receptions, 150 yards, and another score. Nelson turned in his best season with the Packers in 2010, and with Donald Driver aging and James Jones scheduled to hit free agency, could be looking at an increased role. Needless to say, it’d be a shame if he didn’t get extra opportunities to continue to progress.
Seyi Ajirotutu, WR, San Diego Chargers
The tall and physical Arijotutu broke out in 2010 with a stellar sub-in game in week nine, bringing in four catches for 111 yards and two scores. True, it was against the Houston Texans, but Arijotutu’s value and potential cannot go ignored. With Vincent Jackson back in the fold for at least one more season, Arijiotutu’s value is still unclear, but if Malcom Floyd and/or Legadu Nene do not return to the team for 2011, he could easily carve out a solid role.
Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
Edelman is the exact definition of a buried fantasy player. He stood to make a major fantasy impact in 2010 after a solid rookie season, but was buried after Wes Welker made an insane recovery from an ACL tear. Edelman’s fantasy stock never bounced back in 2010, and looks fairly bleak again in 2011, but the little guy is still just one injury away from being a fantasy asset.
Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch was only average for most of 2010, but once he entered “Beast Mode” in the wild card round of the playoffs, Forsett’s fantasy value took another big hit. We know what Forsett is capable of after he put up nearly 1,000 total yards in 2009, but his limited work behind Lynch will continue to curb his value. If Lynch goes down, Forsett could step back into the quality role he had in 2009.
Jacoby Ford, WR, Oakland Raiders
Ford is currently sitting in the slot for the Raiders, but with rumors about adding Chad Ochocinco or another veteran receiver to the mix, his already limited role his worrisome for fantasy owners heading into 2011. Despite his rookie role, Ford still found ways to do some major damage on the field, as he caught 25 balls for over 400 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging over 18 yards per catch. His speed and explosiveness also made him a lights out return man, as he piled on over 1,200 kick return yards, as well as an impressive three touchdown returns. Ford is still raw as a receiver, so his role likely won’t change much, but if it ever does, he’s definitely a player to monitor.
Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans/ Montario Hardesty, RB, Cleveland Browns
Both of these 2010 running backs garnered the same hype, and in turn, the same ill fate in their rookie seasons. Both Tate and Hardesty were expected to take over immediately as their respective team’s top back (Hardesty slightly moreso), but both succumbed to big injuries. Despite both working their way back to full health, they now stare at dominant fantasy rusers standing in their way, Arian Foster and Peyton Hillis, respectively. They should both be able to get some carries in 2011, but unless the guy ahead of them goes down, they’ll stay buried.
Evan Moore, TE, Cleveland Browns
Moore suffered through a pretty predictable Cleveland offense in 2010, and also had to work his magic playing second fiddle to the more balance Benjamin Watson. However, Moore possesses outstanding speed and size for the tight end position, and put both on display in spurts in 2010, as he hauled in 16 catches for 322 yards, averaging over 20 yards per catch. If Watson goes down or Moore finds himself on another team, his fantasy value could quickly rise.