Fantasy Football 2015: 25 Players Worth Gambling on in the Draft

NFL Sundays are almost here, and that means Fantasy Football is just around the corner.

Every league has one owner that takes a lot of risks with players they select. Some gambles may be game-changing and some may be awful picks overall.

Here are 25 players that are worth gambling on in fantasy football drafts this season.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills

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Watkins was the No. 1 receiver taken in the 2014 NFL draft and had an up-and-down rookie season with the Bills. He accumulated four games with at least 100 yards, but he suffered from inconsistency and lack of targets, especially early on in the season.

The enticing attribute Watkins has is his elite athleticism and big-play ability. He showed many times during the season he can create separation from defenders by running crisp routes. Watkins had his best game of the season against the Jets, a game in which he recorded 157, yards including an 84-yard touchdown catch.

The risk with drafting Watkins is the uncertainty of Buffalo’s quarterback situation. Syracuse.com's Matthew Fairburn reported E.J. Manuel performed solidly at OTAs, but his identity as the team’s franchise quarterback is still a question mark. Watkins should be able to produce in his second season but should be drafted later in most leagues.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins

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Jackson has always been one of the most frustrating players to judge when it comes to fantasy football. He’s a player who can explode in one game and then struggle mightily the next week.

Jackson had his second-best season of his career in 2014 with 1,169 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He also demonstrated his big-play ability by recording an average of 20.9 yards per catch.

The Redskins had a poor season, and one of the main reasons was the team’s quarterback debacle. The team rotated between quarterbacks Robert Griffin III, Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins in 2014 which resulted in a disappointing 4-12 season.

The risk associated with Jackson is his unpredictable performances from week to week. However, his big-play ability and upside make him a worthy draft pick in fantasy football leagues.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings

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Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater slipped all the way to the bottom of the first round in last year’s NFL draft and made the Minnesota Vikings look genius after his rookie season.

He recorded 2,919 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2014, and he made major strides late in the season. Bridgewater completed 64 percent of his passes and demonstrated great accuracy. He enters 2015 with new weapons at receiver and the return of the team’s best player: running back Adrian Peterson.

The team acquired wide receiver Mike Wallace this offseason which will be a major upgrade. Third-year wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson will move to the No. 2 receiver spot and has great upside with his rare athleticism.

The risk with drafting Bridgewater is his inexperience and ability to turn the ball over. He recorded 12 interceptions in his rookie season due to lack of chemistry with his receivers. However, Bridgewater has great upside and could be a great sleeper quarterback pick in drafts.

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers

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Kaepernick was expected to have a huge season in 2014 but failed to live up to high expectations. As the 49ers struggled mightily last season, he recorded a career-low 55.9 quarterback rating as the team went 8-8.

This season, Kaepernick will have to play without two of his most reliable targets dating back to last season. Wide receivers Stevie Johnson and Michael Crabtree signed with other teams in free agency, which may impact Kaepernick’s numbers in 2015.

The team did sign vertical threat Torrey Smith in free agency and still have reliable target Anquan Boldin on the outside. Kaepernick is also a prototypical dual-threat quarterback who can beat defenses in a plethora of ways.

The 49ers will probably struggle greatly this season after a wild offseason. However, Kaepernick will be the bright spot on the team and will still put up improved numbers, compared to last season. He is a worthy gamble for fantasy football owners that wait on drafting quarterbacks.

Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams

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Before the 2014 college football season, Gurley was widely considered as the next big thing to the NFL level. However, a season-ending knee injury saw his draft stock fall before he was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft.

Gurley was arguably the most accomplished University of Georgia running back since Herschel Walker and demonstrated Marshawn Lynch-like physicality against SEC defenses. He recorded 36 rushing touchdowns and 3,285 yards over his three seasons as a Bulldog.

Gurley will aim to help a Rams offense that needs to find its identity. The team traded for quarterback Nick Foles this offseason but lacks many legitimate weapons. The risk with Gurley is his youth combined with his plethora of injury-related concerns. If he can stay healthy, he could end up being a top-10 fantasy running back by season’s end.

Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders

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Murray is now the No. 1 running back in Oakland after incumbent starter Darren McFadden signed with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. Through limited playing time in 2014, Murray flashed moments of brilliance which makes him an enticing fantasy football option this season.

Murray recorded just 424 yards in 2014 and averaged an impressive 5.2 yards per carry. He demonstrated rare speed for a player of his size and showed the ability to break out big runs for the Raiders.

Now the starter for the Raiders, the risk associated with drafting Murray is his lack of a sample size. He didn’t play a lot in 2014, and it may be an adjustment for him to receive a high workload. However, Murray makes Oakland’s offense very enticing and could put up big numbers if he can stay healthy.

Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders

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Cooper is arguably the most polished wide receiver in this year’s draft class after an impressive college football career at Alabama. He ranked towards the top of college football in almost every receiving category, including 1,727 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.

Cooper will be the No. 1 receiver for the Raiders after Denarius Moore left the team for Cincinnati in free agency. He will pair up with quarterback Derek Carr, whom most people believe is the future of the franchise.

The risk associated with Cooper is the fact Carr is still a work in progress, and rookie wide receivers rarely produce great numbers. However, the fact Cooper will be surrounded with a plethora of young talent offensively places him as the most-likely candidate to shatter the rookie wide receiver stereotype.

Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears

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White was the second wide receiver selected at this year’s NFL draft and joins a Chicago Bears team in need of a superstar. After an impressive college football career at West Virginia, White will be the top receiving option for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in 2015.

He is the biggest home-run threat in this year’s draft class after recording 13.3 yards per catch in 2014 with West Virginia. White demonstrated great route-running and great leaping ability in one-on-one situations.

The risk associated with White is the fact his thin stature sets him up for possible injury concerns with the Bears. Also, the poor play of Cutler the past few seasons may limit White’s production, but the fact he will be the top guy sets him up for a solid fantasy football pedigree.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins

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After signing a mega-deal this offseason with the Dolphins, Tannehill will aim to take a giant step forward after a career year in 2014.

Tannehill recorded 27 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions last season, despite poor offensive line play and lack of consistency out of his receivers. The team drafted highly touted wide receiver DeVante Parker this offseason to assist Tannehill’s growth.

The Dolphins enter 2014 with fairly high expectations, and Tannehill is the main catalyst for those expectations to become a reality. The risk associated with Tannehill is the lack of veteran targets at his disposal, but he is a high-reward pick for teams in need of a sleeper quarterback.

Andre Johnson, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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Johnson signed with the Colts this offseason after a disappointing 2014 with the Houston Texans. He recorded just three receiving touchdowns in 2014, his lowest total since 2011. Johnson will play with quarterback Andrew Luck and is poised for major improvement this season.

The positive side of drafting Johnson is he won’t be the only legitimate option Luck will have. He will be set up in a lot of one-on-one situations due to the impressive receiving options of T.Y. Hilton and rookie Philip Dorsett.

The risk associated with Johnson is the fact he is injury-prone and enters 2015 at 34 years old. Most wide receivers fade out at Johnson’s age, but the fact he is playing with one of the best quarterbacks in the league will set him up for success this season.

Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers

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Gordon was the No. 1 overall pick by the Chargers in this year’s draft and enters his rookie season with high expectations. After a stellar career at Wisconsin, he joins a San Diego offense that already has a plethora of weapons.

The one thing quarterback Philip Rivers needed was a run game, and they now have that with Gordon. He shattered multiple NCAA records with an astounding 2,587 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns with the Badgers in 2014.

There is no doubt Gordon is the missing link for San Diego, but there are risks associated with the rookie running back. Over the past few seasons, rookie running backs haven’t produced immediately, but the fact Gordon won’t be relied on too heavily sets him up for a high value in fantasy football.

Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks

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The Seattle Seahawks haven’t been known for a highly touted receiving core the past few seasons, but Baldwin has been the consistent receiving threat for quarterback Russell Wilson. However, the addition of tight end Jimmy Graham and re-signing of running back Marshawn Lynch sets him up for success in 2015.

Baldwin recorded a career-high 825 receiving yards and 98 targets in 2014. Opposing defenses will need to double-team Graham and Lynch alternatively this season which puts him in a good spot for a lot of one-on-one situations.

The risk associated with drafting Baldwin is the Seahawks are run-heavy and don’t rely too much on the passing game. However, he is sure to get a lot of targets in 2015, which will make him a viable fantasy football option.

Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

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Matthews is now the No. 1 receiving option for the Eagles after Jeremy Maclin left the team in free agency. The former second-round draft pick will aim to put up big numbers this season after an impressive rookie campaign in 2014.

Matthews recorded 872 receiving yards last season which ranked towards the top among first-year wide receivers. He was also used early and often with an impressive 105 targets last season. Matthews fits the team’s system perfectly with his crisp route-running and reliable catching ability.

The risk associated with Matthews is his limited sample size and the unpredictability of head coach Chip Kelly’s offense. The fact he will be the No. 1 option for quarterback Sam Bradford sets him up for a monster 2015.

Chris Ivory, RB, New York Jets

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Ivory has been the most consistent force in the backfield for the Jets over the past few seasons. The veteran back led the team with 821 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 2014. He was mainly used as an early down back and in goal-line situations.

Ivory is a prototypical power back with the unique ability to burst to the outside. He is also a solid receiver out of the backfield with eighteen receptions in 2014.

The problem with drafting Ivory is the fact the Jets have a running-back-by-committee system. He is the leader of the backfield, but his carries at times can be given to other backs. However, his use as a goal-line back makes him a viable option in fantasy football.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

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Stewart has been an overall disappointment for the Panthers since arriving to the team in 2008. Injuries have been a huge problem for Stewart, but he had his best season since 2009 last year. He rushed for 809 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry as the lead back for Carolina.

Stewart also had a solid postseason and really took over late in 2014. He ran for 123 yards and a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the team’s Wild Card playoff game.

The problem with drafting Stewart is his injury concerns combined with his low sample size over the last few seasons. With former running back DeAngelo Williams now in Pittsburgh, Stewart will receive most of the carries which will boost his fantasy value.

Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants

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Cruz has been a force of nature for the Giants since his rookie season in 2011. However, the traumatic knee injury he suffered last season has made his fantasy football stock plummet heading into 2015.

Cruz recorded just 337 receiving yards and one touchdown before tearing his patellar tendon against the Eagles. He was the perfect complement to teammate Odell Beckham Jr. who ended up benefiting greatly from Cruz’s absence.

Cruz still has the ability to put up big numbers especially alongside Beckham. With Beckham receiving more attention from opposing secondaries in 2015, Cruz will be set up in many one-on-one situations but needs to bounce back from injury quickly in order to be a legitimate fantasy starting option.

Michael Crabtree, WR, Oakland Raiders

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Crabtree and the 49ers struggled in 2014 due to many reasons, particularly because of the team’s inefficiency on offense. Crabtree couldn’t put up big numbers last season due to the inconsistency of quarterback Colin Kaepernick, which resulted in Crabtree signing with the Oakland Raiders this offseason in free agency.

Crabtree joins a Raiders team that is in desperate need of playmakers for franchise quarterback Derek Carr. He will play alongside rookie sensation Amari Cooper, which sets up Crabtree for many big-play scenarios.

Crabtree may not be the player he was in 2012 in which he recorded 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns, but he can still produce at a high level and will make plays for Carr, which makes him a viable fantasy option late in drafts.

Kenny Britt, WR, St. Louis Rams

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After an up-and-down tenure with the Tennessee Titans, Britt signed with the St. Louis Rams before last season and had his best year in a while. Britt recorded 748 yards and three touchdowns in 2014 in his first full season since 2009.

Britt has the ability to be a vertical threat due to his 6’3”, 223-pound frame. New quarterback Nick Foles has a history of performing well with lengthy wide receivers, which puts Britt in a great position to succeed going forward.

The risk in drafting Britt is his inconsistency combined with his injury concerns. However, pairing up with a new quarterback may be the best thing for him and may boost his performance to new heights in 2015.

Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins

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Reed was one of the most-touted tight end prospects out of the 2013 NFL draft class. He has struggled to find his rhythm with the Redskins due to inefficient quarterback play and injury problems over the past few seasons.

Reed has great athleticism and showed a few bright spots of improvement last season. Though the team rotated between three different quarterbacks last season, Reed scored no touchdowns and recorded just 465 yards.

Reed has impressive athleticism, and when he gets on the field, he can make things happen. The problem for Reed has been whether he can stay on the field due to a plethora of injuries. He still has massive upside and could be a deep sleeper pick at tight end for fantasy football leagues.

Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys

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McFadden was supposed to be the next great NFL running back when he was selected fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders during the 2008 NFL draft. However, he could barely stay on the field due to injuries and played just 83 games for the Raiders over seven seasons.

McFadden joins a Dallas Cowboys team that has one of the best offensive lines in football. The team turned DeMarco Murray from an average fantasy back into a fantasy superstar in 2014, and the same could be true for McFadden.

He demonstrates great athleticism and has the full package for a quality fantasy running back. However, lingering injury concerns may steer many fantasy owners away from McFadden. Due to his major upside and playmakers around him, McFadden is a must-have draft pick that will be a steal late in drafts.

Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins

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Ajayi was once considered a top-15 pick before scouts noted longevity concerns regarding Ajayi’s knees. He suffered an ACL injury in 2011 but managed to produce at a high level as the main catalyst at Boise State.

During his junior season with the Broncos, Ajayi was one of the most productive running backs in recent memory as he recorded 2,358 total yards in 2014. He was a powerful running back and also was a productive receiver out of the backfield.

Ajayi joins a Dolphins squad that seems like they’re not completely sold on incumbent starter Lamar Miller. While Miller was productive in 2014, he was used sparingly late in the season. Ajayi has the ability to steal the starting job from Miller this offseason if he can stay healthy, and he may become a top fantasy running back option by season’s end.

Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals

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The Arizona Cardinals were arguably the best team in the NFL last season before Palmer suffered a season-ending knee injury late in the year. Palmer returns to the Cardinals in 2015 healthy and ready for another run for a berth in the postseason.

Palmer set a career high with 4,274 yards in 2014 before suffering the season-ending injury. He returns in 2014 with a plethora of receiving targets in veteran Larry Fitzgerald, playmaker Michael Floyd and promising young player John Brown.

Palmer remains on track to possibly miss no time to begin the season, but injury concerns have been an issue. He has suffered a plethora of knee-related injuries during his career which put his longevity into question. However, his upside makes him a viable fantasy option for owners non-reliant on drafting quarterbacks early.

Bishop Sankey, RB, Tennessee Titans

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Sankey, the Titans’ second-round pick in 2014, struggled through his rookie season due to an offense that struggled to find its identity. The team enters 2015 with a plethora of new weapons including new quarterback Marcus Mariota, which could help Sankey’s production in his second season.

It wasn’t all bad for Sankey in 2014, who was a highly touted prospect out of the University of Washington prior to last year’s draft. He demonstrated the ability to be a vertical runner while also being able to make plays out of the backfield.

The risk in drafting Sankey is his small sample size. Running backs his size also rarely make it in the NFL, but his unique skill set will help him along the way. The potential read-option package including Sankey and Mariota could make things interesting for the Titans in 2015.

Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts

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Allen was one of quarterback Andrew Luck’s security blankets in the red zone last season. While he recorded just 395 yards in 2014, he scored eight touchdowns and was used often in goal-line situations.

Allen has tremendous athleticism, and even though he is used mainly as a blocker, he has demonstrated great leaping and catching ability in the end zone. In fantasy football, touchdowns are everything, which Allen brings to the table.

The risk in drafting Allen is he is mostly seen as a one-trick pony. He may score a lot of touchdowns but not a lot of overall production comes with it. However, his ability to make things happen in the red zone makes him an enticing fantasy option.

Owen Daniels, TE, Denver Broncos

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The veteran tight end has been known as an up-and-down option for fantasy football. However, Daniels’ move to former head coach Gary Kubiak and the Denver Broncos makes for an interesting situation for him and potential fantasy owners.

Daniels has been used sparingly over the past few seasons and has accumulated at least 800 receiving yards in a season just once in his career. He is mainly used a blocker but can be used in long-yardage situations due to his impressive athleticism.

Daniels knows Kubiak’s system well and could be a viable threat with quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning always seems to make the most out of his weapons, and Daniels could benefit from this especially from a fantasy football perspective.