Fantasy Football 2012: 5 Players Who Will Be This Year's Victor Cruz

In the 2011 NFL season, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz Cruz went from fourth on the Giant's depth chart to fantasy gold leading many fantasy owners to a championship.

Cruz always had the talent but had to wait and key injuries to the receivers ahead of him put Cruz in prime position to shine to the tune of with 82 receptions 1,536 receiving yards (Giants single season record) and nine touchdowns to end the 2011 season.

That leads us to ask, who will  be the next Victor Cruz crop that will take the leap to fantasy gold and lead you to a fantasy football championship?

An Injury Plagued Backfield: Oakland Raider Taiwan Jones Takes over

With Michael Bush gone, second year running back Taiwan Jones will be competing with Mike Goodson from the Carolina Panthers in the Oakland Raider backfield for the No. 2 spot behind starter Darren McFadden.

Goodson missed most of the 2011 season with a hamstring injury only playing four games and Darren McFadden is notorious for for also missing games due to injury: missing nine games in the 2011.

As a result, Jones will get a ton of looks and reps his way regardless. Jones showed flashes of solid running ability with a season high seven carries for 39 yards against San Diego in a week 10, 24-17 win. Jones has exceptional speed, possesses good vision and can catch passes from Carson Palmer out of the backfield.

Furthermore, look for Jones to take a giant step in 2012 as he will be the only running back that did not have any health issues in 2011.

Move over Old Man River: Jake Locker Will Reign Supreme in Tennessee

In Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker's 2011 rookie season he made the most of his four appearances completing 52 percent of his passes for 542 yards but more importantly had four touchdowns compared to no interceptions with a QB rating of 99.4.

Locker was just as effective on the ground with eight carries for 56 yards and a touchdown. Not too shabby for a rookie quarterback that was missing his No. 1 wide receiver Kenny Britt and dealt with an in-effective Chris Johnson.

Locker has to compete with quarterback Mat Hasselbeck for the starting spot and Locker will prevail over the 36-year-old Hasselbeck. Locker will be a great fantasy asset to have with his ability to throw and pass with a healthy Kenny Britt and happy Chris Johnson.

The Forgotten Wide Receiver in Carolina: Brandon LaFell

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell, will be in his third year, starting opposite to Steve Smith and actually had a solid year in 2011 with 36 receptions for 613 yards and three touchdowns.

LaFell, who is 25 years old, will eventually replace Steve Smith, now 32, and there is no reason not to think that will happen in the 2012 season. LaFell is a big red-zone target with his 6'3'' 210 pound frame and his quarterback Cam Newton will now be in his second season looking to find LaFell a lot more around the goal line instead of risking so much bodily harm with those one yard plunges.

LaFell will make great strides in 2012 and surpass Steve Smith in terms of production.

The Smaller Megatron in Detroit: Titus Young

Although small listed at 5'11'' and 175 pounds Titus Young has solid route running ability and has great hands. He is in a pass-heavy offense where he consistently draws only single coverage because opposing defenses have to put two or three defenders on wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

In the last four games of the season Young had 17 receptions for 171 yards and four touchdowns and was a very reliable red-zone target for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Young will move past Nate Burleson on the depth chart an Young will also make a giant leap just like Victor Cruz.

Welcome to New York Martellus Bennett

Bennett, the former Dallas Cowboy tight end who was acquired through free-agency will actually be atop the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants depth chart because tight end Jake Ballard is actually coming off offseason surgery.

Bennett has great hands and is a huge target at 6'7'' and 255 pounds and could have actually been a first-round pick in the NBA Draft.

With the Giants also losing wide receiver Mario Manningham to free-agency Bennett will assume more of a pass catching role and will be a very reliable target for quarterback Eli Manning.

Furthermore, these five players will give you fantasy gold and will all be available on the waiver wire when your fantasy football season begins. So it will be wise to keep an eye on them, add them and reap the rewards of a fantasy football championship.