Fantasy Football: Eight Players That May Return To Fantasy Stardom

Matt Forte is one of several guys who fell on hard times in 2009. He was widely selected as a top five pick in most fantasy circles, and failed to live up to expectations.  In 2010, the man that has fallen may actually have value entering this season. He is one of many players that could bounce back from a disappointing 2009 to have a successful 2009. Here are eight potential candidates...

T.J. Houshmandzadeh

For the first time in four seasons, TJ Houshmandzadeh dipped below 90 receptions in a season. His yardage totals fell off a bit, but his YPC were similar to his previous two best seasons. He also had his lowest touchdown total since the 2002 season, meaning they were an outlier, not the norm. 

So do we attribute this to age? I don't, I attribute it to the quarterback play a year ago in Seattle. With starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck out for much of the year, Seattle struggled in the passing game mightily. Hasselbeck and the other QB's were also working with Housh for the first time. Now a year later, a healthy Hasselbeck, and an improved offense in Seattle, and another year to gel should put Housh back on track for a strong 2010 campaign. 

2010 ADP: 7th round     

2010 projected production: 5th round (+2 Rounds)

Marion Barber

Last season, the Cowboys made the transition from a rushing team to a passing team partly because of the injuries to Marion Barber and Felix Jones.  Barber managed to play in 15 games, but he did so with a hole in his quadriceps rendering him less effective. He still managed 932 yards, and seven touchdowns, but his receptions were way down from previous years meaning less yards from scrimmage. 

Barber has never rushed for over 1,000 yards, or had a huge workload, but he has always been a touchdown machine.  Felix Jones CANNOT stay healthy, meaning Barber will be the main ball carrier at times during the season. I would look for 180 carries, around 1,100 yards from scrimmage, and once again double-digit touchdowns. At worst, he will be the goal line back, and the Cowboys are going to score a bunch.

2010 ADP:  6th round      

2010 projected production:  4th round    (+2 Rounds)

Dwayne Bowe

Dwayne Bowe had a tough time adjusting to new HC Todd Haley's tough love approach, and his production showed.  Haley refused to let anyone play who didn't practice, meaning Bowe missed five games a year ago. His lack of practice also limited his chemistry with new QB Matt Cassel.

A year later, Charlie Weis is the new man in town calling plays...you may have heard of him.  Bowe's 12.5 ypc, were on pace with his career average, as were his TD's, but his receptions were way down. Expect those to shoot back up into the 80-85 catch range, putting him over 1,000 yards.

I would also expect to at least meet his career high of seven touchdowns he set in 2008.  Todd Haley and Charlie Weis like to throw the ball a ton, and with Matt Cassel and Bowe both having another year together, their numbers should flourish. 

2010 ADP:  5th round      

2010 projected production:  4th round    (+1 Rounds)

Matt Forte

Although I didn't buy into it, Matt Forte became a top five pick in most fantasy drafts in 2009. Of course, as most first rounders do, he flopped. But did he really or did people have too high of expectations for him? 

Forte dealt with hamstring and knee injuries all year, but managed to play all 16 games. His ypc were slightly down, but it's his carries that really limited his production. He had 58 fewer carries than 2008 resulting in over 300 less yards, but his reception totals were right on pace with his prior season, even with Jay Cutler taking over. 

The biggest blow came in the touchdown category as he only scored four total in 2009. So in essence, if he gets similar carries to his '08 totals, his numbers should be similar. They won't be as good as '08, but won't be as bad as '09. Look for something in between and some value as owners who were burned a year ago shy away from him.

2010 ADP:  4th round      

2010 projected production:  3rd round    (+1 Rounds)

Matt Cassel

The man whom was Tom Brady's towel boy, was thrust into stardom in 2008 after Brady tore up his knee in the first game, earning him a trade to Kansas City and a hefty new contract. There were skeptics, but also expectations. He failed to live up to those expectations and had a disappointing '09 campaign. What is one to expect with a new team, new system, and a first year head coach. 

There is going to be some bumps in the road. Fast forward to 2010 and in steps Charlie Weis as the OC. Cassel knows the Weis system, as it is the same system he grew up in while in New England. With an arsenal of Jamaal Charles, Dwayne Bowe, and Chris Chambers, Cassel should outperform his draft status and in two QB systems, would be a cheap, valuable QB2. 

He can also be effective in good matchups, and someone to target as a bye week replacement.

2010 ADP:  13th round      

2010 projected production:  11th round    (+2 Rounds)

Calvin Johnson

After a monster 2008 season, fantasy owners had aspirations of the man called "Megatron", taking over the No. 1 WR spot. He battled through injuries and a rookie QB to a disappointing season. He still managed to play 14 games (although several injured), and fell just shy of 1,000 yards. 

His overall catches, TD's, and yards were down, as well as his ypc. With Matt Stafford a year matured, and Megatron healthy, his numbers should bounce back into the 80 reception, 1,300 yard, double-digit TD range. He was a late first/early second round pick in 2009, and it appears that smart fantasy owners weren't fooled by his down season, as he once again should be a top five WR.

2010 ADP:  2nd round      

2010 projected production:  2nd round    (Even)

Matt Hasselbeck

The addition of TJ Houshmandzadeh in 2009 gave Matt Hasselbeck the "sleeper" tag heading into drafts, as the quarterback who had been injured in '08 was due for a bounce back in '09. Well, '09 never really amounted to much, and was once again injury riddled. Even though he played 14 games, anyone who watched him could see he wasn't right. 

So we are going to repeat this theory heading into 2010. Maybe we will get snake-bit again, but with Pete Carroll at the helm, I don't think so. Jim Mora Jr. lost this team early, and it showed. Carroll can instill some excitement back into the Seahawks, and Hasselbeck thrives in these situations. 

He appears to be healthy, and has a better arsenal of weapons, and the addition of Russell Okung gives them a better offensive line than in years past. Hass could make a solid bye week replacement or QB2 in certain formats as we think Charlie Whitehurst is still a year away.

2010 ADP:  14th round      

2010 projected production:  12th round    (+2 Rounds)

Jay Cutler

When we think of disasters of 2009, we look no further than Jay Cutler. Cutler stepped into an un-friendly quarterback situation, and under immense scrutiny in Chicago, and failed to live up to expectations starting game one. 

He finished with a career high in interceptions, as well as a career low in quarterback rating.  Cutler did manage to set a career high in TD passes, and actually threw eight touchdowns and only one interception over the final two games.

In steps Mike Martz, who has taken offensive passing attacks from doldrums to stardom overnight. Expect similar results as Cutler has the proven skill set, and appears to actually have a decent group of receivers to work with in 2010.  Cutler will never be a high-completion quarterback, and you've got to accept the good with the bad, but the bad isn't going to be near the level of the disaster of '09.

2010 ADP:  7th round      

2010 projected production:  5th round    (+2 Rounds)