NFL Tickets - Fantasy: Upside Picks
August 17, 2010 by Stub_Hub
Every year, fantasy owners are presented with the opportunity to take a risk on a high-reward player. These players come with both risk and upside, and owners have to weigh each before selecting one of these guys in their draft. Here are some players that do come with some risk, but present considerable upside as well:
Joe Flacco, Quarterback, Baltimore Ravens: Flacco had a solid 2009 fantasy season, but 2010 could be his breakout year. With wide receiver Anquan Boldin aboard and a pair of talented rookie tight ends in the mix, Flacco could elevate himself to one of the elite fantasy performers at his position in 2010. It's certainly no guarantee, as Flacco is still young and relatively unproven, but the upside is definitely there.
Chad Henne, Quarterback, Miami Dolphins: Henne flashed the kind of skill set last season that sells NFL tickets. With his big arm, there is a lot of statistical potential, especially with Brandon Marshall now donning a Dolphins uniform. If Henne can develop a good rapport with Marshall, the sky's the limit for his fantasy potential.
Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions: Stafford has all the physical tools to become a fantasy stud, as well as a top-end wide receiver to throw to in Calvin Johnson. The team went out and got Stafford some additional weapons this offseason in the form of wide receiver Nate Burleson, tight end Tony Scheffler and running back Jahvid Best. With this array of options available to Stafford in the passing game, he could post some surprisingly big numbers for a second-year quarterback.
Beanie Wells, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals: Wells showed signs of his potential as a dominant runner last season, but it remains to be seen how the workload will be split between he and Tim Hightower. Wells is the better runner, but he's struggled catching balls out of the backfield and has some trouble in blitz pickup - two areas in which Hightower excels. If Wells gets 20 carries a game, he could be a stud.
LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles: Nobody is quite certain of how McCoy will handle the load in Philly this season, but the potential for a big year is there. McCoy has minimal competition for carries and plays in an offense that features its fair share of playmakers. The youth of the offense, though, makes picking McCoy a risky move, but his upside is considerable.
Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs: Charles showed what he can do with a full workload over the course of the second half of the 2009 campaign. However, how much work will Thomas Jones garner this season?
Felix Jones, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys: Jones is the most talented running back on the Cowboys, but nobody really knows how the carries will shake out in Big D with Marion Barber and Tashard Choice roaming the backfield as well. If Jones gets 15 carries a game, he could be a big producer.
Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions: If Matthew Stafford develops accordingly and Johnson stays healthy, he could be a top 3 fantasy wideout this season. I believe that qualifies as upside.
Greg Jennings, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers: Jennings got off to a slow start in 2009, but once the offensive line improved and the team got him running some shorter routes, he began to show signs of the player we expected him to be. He could have a big season with Aaron Rodgers at the helm in 2010.
Hakeem Nicks, Wide Receiver, New York Giants: Steve Smith is the number one receiver heading into the season, but Nicks has more physical ability and could overtake Smith as Eli Manning's favorite target at some point in 2010. If he does it early enough, he could be a top 10 fantasy wideout.
Jermichael Finley, Tight End, Green Bay Packers: Finley is a freakish talent that reminds scouts of Antonio Gates. If he can stay healthy, he could become a big part of a potent Packers offense.
