6 Small(er) Fantasy Names to Buy

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Fantasy owners know who these guys are at this point.

But when it comes to name recognition, these players did not necessarily have it in terms of fantasy football before the start of this season. Names like LaDainian Tomlinson, Matt Forte, and Brian Westbrook jump off the pages of fantasy football magazines. Before the start of the 2009 season, Steve Smith of the Giants was known only as the other Steve Smith.

And now, he is the Steve Smith to own in fantasy leagues.

Six players mostly unbeknownst to the fantasy public earlier this year have established themselves as legitimate fantasy presences this season. A few of these players even have long-term value for those in keeper and/or dynasty leagues.

If the price is right, now is the time to stock up on some of this explosive fantasy talent. Especially with the fantasy playoffs right around the corner.

Ray Rice, RB, Ravens

Clearly, Rice has become the featured running back in the Baltimore offense. He has come a long, long way from being one of the most undervalued running backs in fantasy mock drafts this summer.

Rice has kicked touchdown vulture Willis McGahee to the curb, catapulting his fantasy value into the upper echelon of fantasy running backs. But can he continue to handle a full work load?

The Ravens are counting on him to do so. Fantasy owners, too.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Bengals (9), Browns (10), Lions (14), Bears (15)
Potential Beasts: Steelers (12), Steelers (16)

Really, is anyone scared to have their fantasy studs face the Steelers these days? Rice should have serviceable numbers against any tough defense he faces going forward because of his ability in the passing game.

Buy if you can. Rice was just traded in my competitive keeper league along with Jason Witten for Miles Austin and Darren Sproles. He is attainable for a pretty fair value, as you can see, which is surprising considering how good he has been for fantasy purposes.

Steve Smith, WR, Giants

Yes, the Giants' passing game has stumbled recently and the defense is getting run over by the opposition. If anything, the lack of defense in New York is good news for Smith as the Giants figure to be playing keep up with opponents going forward.

Of all Eli Manning's targets, Smith remains the No. 1 option despite a few recent down weeks. Expect the G-men to re-emphasize his presence in the coming weeks.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Falcons (11), Cowboys (13), Redskins (15)
Potential Beasts: Broncos (12), Eagles (14)

Smith's schedule the rest of the way is hit or miss. But the Giants do figure to face some adversity going forward, which could lead to some shootouts.

Granted, Smith put up big numbers —like the rest of the Giants' offense—against vastly inferior opponents earlier this season. He needs to re-establish himself as the playmaker in the offense.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers

Mendenhall took over for an ailing Willie Parker earlier this season and has yet to relinquish the reins to the starting job. He took advantage of a few soft defenses but now must prove he can continue to perform down the stretch.

Parker and Mewelde Moore could start eating into Mendenhall's touches if he falters. Ball control and pass protection have been an issue in the past.

Analyzing the Schedule

Potential Cupcakes: Bengals (10), Chiefs (11), Raiders (13), Browns (14)

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