Fantasy Football 2012: 5 Players with Rising Value

With the first week of NFL preseason under way this week, it can only mean one thing.

Fantasy football season is back and drafts are up and running.

Whether the starters are only playing one series or one quarter, their fantasy football stock is always on the rise and the decline.

Heading into the 2012 NFL season, here are five players whose fantasy football value is on the rise.

Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions, RB

With Jahvid Best not cleared to play yet and Mikel LeShoure dealing with off-field issues, it looks like Kevin Smith is going to be the starting running back for the Detroit Lions.

After being released by the Lions at the beginning of the 2011 season, Smith was brought back for the last eight games. In those eight games, Smith made a terrific No. 2 fantasy back, scoring seven touchdowns and recording 535 total yards.

The Lions have a pass-heavy offense, but Smith should still see 15-20 touches a game because of his pass-catching ability. 

Robert Meachem, San Diego Chargers, WR

After Vincent Jackson left the San Diego Chargers, every fantasy football owner was wondering who would become the Chargers new No. 1 wide receiver.

With training camp under way it looks like Robert Meachem is going beat out Malcom Floyd for Philip Rivers' go-to wide receiver. Meachem should make a great No. 2 fantasy wide receiver option.

The Chargers love to throw the ball and Meachem will get a significant amount of targets each week, unlike he did with the New Orleans Saints.

Peyton Hillis, Kansas City Chiefs, RB

After letting down fantasy owners in 2011, Peyton Hillis' fantasy stock is back on the rise now that he is with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs have Jamaal Charles, but according to reports, Charles and Hillis are going to split carries this season. Charles is more of receiving threat that will get 10-15 carries a game. Hillis should see at least carries a game and will be the Chiefs goal line running back.

Charles may put up more rushing yards because of his big play ability, but expect Hillis to rack up the touchdowns.

Mike Goodson, Oakland Raiders, RB

You probably have not heard Mike Goodson’s name much throughout his NFL career since he has been buried on the Carolina Panthers depth chart.

Now that he is with the Oakland Raiders, expect Goodson to be on many fantasy football rosters in 2012.

With reports coming out of the Raiders training camp that Goodson is their No. 2 running back, look to draft Goodson in the late rounds of your draft. Being the backup running back to Darren McFadden, you are guaranteed to get plenty of touches and start a few games.

In the past seasons, whenever McFadden got injured, Michael Bush would always fill in and become a fantasy stud. In 2012, Goodson will be “Michael Bush 2.0."

Chad Johnson, Miami Dolphins, WR

2011 was a season that every fantasy owner and even Chad Johnson wants to forget.

After recording only 276 receiving yards and hardly seeing the field for the New England Patriots, Johnson is now slated to be a starter for the Miami Dolphins.

It is no surprise that Johnson is going to win the starting wide receiver job because he has very little competition. Davone Bess and Brian Hartline are nothing compared to Wes Welker or Rob Gronkowski.

Johnson may not have a great quarterback throwing to him, whether it is David Garrard or Matt Moore, but as the Dolphins' No.1 receiver he should see a significant amount of targets.

Look to draft Johnson to provide depth to your fantasy team's receiving corps. If everything goes well, he could turn into a great No. 3 fantasy receiver.