Fantasy Football Draft Strategy 2012: Underrated Players You Must Pursue

Along similar lines to the NFL draft, finding those underrated gems in a fantasy football draft can be the difference between a postseason berth and a losing record.

As for the 2012 fantasy season, take Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green as an example. After a strong rookie campaign, Green can expect a stronger sophomore season, but he goes overlooked because of other top targets such as Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Wes Welker.

Along with Green though, there are some other underrated players to really consider when it comes to winning a championship. So let's dive in and see what players will help you take home the title.

Jay Cutler: QB, Bears

It's easy to not look in Jay Cutler's direction when it comes to fantasy football, especially with so many stud quarterbacks ahead of him. Not the mention that Cutler's arguably only the third-best quarterback in the NFC North.

The good news, however, is that Brandon Marshall is lined up out wide, and Chicago still presents a solid running game with Michael Bush. Considering how incredibly weak the division was against the pass in 2011, Cutler will dominate in 2012 provided he stays healthy.

Also, Cutler's best season as a pro came in 2008 when he and Marshall were teamed up in Denver. There, Cutler threw for a franchise record 4,526 yards and had a then-career high 25 touchdowns passes.

Now, Cutler has Marshall again and a promising No. 2 receiver in rookie Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery has the size and leaping ability to make plays in the red zone and get open deep off play-action. With his strong arm, Culter could set a new personal best in 2012 since the Chicago offense improved this offseason.

Fred Jackson: RB, Bills

Before having his season cut short in 2011, Fred Jackson was averaging 145 total yards per contest through Buffalo's first nine games. That kind of production from anyone is ridiculous, especially from a running back in a pass-heavy league.

Heading into 2012, it's definitely reasonable to be concerned with Jackson's health, but the Bills do have a significantly improved defense that's going to provide the offense with many more possessions and scoring opportunities.

Jackson is a complete ball-carrier, and he's just as reliable as a receiver out of the backfield as he is on the ground. Considering that the Bills also have a favorable schedule outside the division (the entire NFC West, the AFC South, the Browns and the Chiefs), 2012 is quite promising.

Although it is a stretch to have Jackson as your No. 1 fantasy running back, he's a definite No. 2 guy, and there are many other worse options you could use as the No. 1 running back.

A.J. Green: WR, Bengals

Despite playing in an offense that ranked No. 20 in passing, Bengals receiver A.J. Green compiled over 1,000 yards on 65 receptions and scored seven touchdowns as a rookie.

Lest we forget, Green also had a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton tossing him the rock, and Cincinnati's schedule wasn't easy (the AFC North, the Texans, the Jaguars, the Broncos, the 49ers and the Cardinals).

Still, Green played fairly consistent for a rookie No. 1 receiver and the pressure that comes with being a top-five draft selection. The 2012 season, on the other hand, has increased expectations. Green and Dalton now have that NFL experience to up their game, and Cincy also added Mohamed Sanu as a reliable No. 2 target.

The Bengals also spruced up the defense with Dre Kirkpatrick and Devon Still to shut down opponents and give the offense more favorable opportunities. Outside of the rough AFC North, Cincy's schedule is somewhat tough as the NFC East and Jacksonville Jaguars pit sound defenses.

By no means will his year be like Calvin Johnson's or Larry Fitzgerald's, but Green is the best receiver in the next wave of young targets.

Dustin Keller: TE, Jets

Whether we're looking at fake football or real football, Dustin Keller is one of the NFL's most underrated tight ends. He's a reliable run-blocker for the Jets' ground game and has the size and athleticism to be reliable in the passing game.

If anything, Keller is a complete player. 2011 is perhaps the best evidence because Keller led the Jets in yards (815), receptions (65), targets (116) and first-downs (39), all of which were career highs as well.

Now that New York has the option of Tim Tebow under center, Keller's production will only increase as defenses won't focus on blanketing him in coverage. Include the playmaking rookie receiver Stephen Hill—who averaged almost 30 yards per catch in 2011 for Georgia Tech—and opponents will be more vulnerable at the second level.

Hill's addition also helps the rushing attack, which then sets up play-action regardless of who's under center. All of this ties into defenses having to focus attention elsewhere from Keller in completely stopping the Jets.

Well coming off a great season, Keller will continue to beat anyone in single coverage and remain a possession threat over the middle. With Gang Green's improvement though, expect Keller to also get more yards-after-the-catch in 2012.

John Rozum on Twitter.