Wake Up: Deep WR Sleepers

We are always looking for the next Miles Austin or Sidney Rice.  Where talent and opportunity meet and the rest is history.

We will take a look at the later rounds of drafts and try to find that ‘Diamond in the Rough’.  Here are 9 WRs that could step into the fantasy forefront in 2010.

Brandon Tate WR, Patriots:  Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and...Brandon Tate?  Yes sir, that's what it appears to be so far into training camp.  As we all know, with Tom Brady at quarterback, anything is possible.  The Patriots have not had a quality receiver opposite Randy Moss, well, ever, so perhaps Tate could become that guy.  This is a situation to monitor, and see how he is used as pre-season games start, and how well Wes Welker progresses.

Early Doucet WR, Cardinals:  Exit-Anquan Boldin, Enter-Early Doucet.  If you put "81" on Early, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two.  Obviously, Larry Fitzgerald is the #1 option in Arizona, but Doucet could possibly emerge as the #2, even though he is currently behind Steve Breaston on the depth chart.  We don't think the Cardinals will be quite the passing machine they were under Kurt Warner, but they should throw enough for Doucet to be around the 60 catch mark.

 

Brian Hartline WR, Dolphins:  Hartline is currently running with the starting offense opposite of Brandon Marshall, meaning while Marshall draws the Grim Revis twice a season, Hartline does not.  He has the speed and football IQ to be a successful receiver in the NFL, it's just a question of how many looks he gets.  With the Dolphins returning to a conventional offense, Hartline could emerge as a viable fantasy option.

Jacoby Jones WR, Texans:  Jacoby Jones is locked in a battle for the #2 WR in Houston, meaning the winner gets to play opposite of Andre Johnson and draw minimal attention.  Even if Jones loses the #2 spot, the Texans run enough 3-wide receiver sets that Jones should see plenty of action.  Jones showed last season, that he has become a fairly trusted option for Matt Schaub as he tallied six TDs a year ago.

James Jones WR, Packers:  Jones is locked in a battle with Jordy Nelson for the Packers #3 WR position.  Big deal, #3, huh?  Well, in an offense where the quarterback should top 4,500 yards, the #3 position is pretty solid.  Combine that with the decline of an aging Donald Driver coming off bilateral knee surgery, and we find ourselves a relevant, fantasy sleeper.

Lance Moore WR, Saints:  Two years ago, Lance Moore found the endzone 10 times on 79 receptions for 928 yards.  In 2009, he was expected to be a big part of the Saints system, but injuries held him to just seven games.  Still, he managed to score 3 TDs.  Moore has never been a big play guy, but think of him as the Wes Welker in the Saints offense.  He runs underneath routes which match him up with linebackers which he can beat with his speed.  If Moore is healthy, let him fall in the draft while other owners reach on Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson.  Moore could end up the WR2 in New Orleans.

Legedu Naanee WR, Chargers:  If Malcolm Floyd is the Vincent Jackson of this year, then Legedu Naanee should become the Malcolm Floyd of this season.  Quarterback Philip Rivers has already commented on how well Naanee is playing in training camp, and at 6'2", 220 pounds, Naanee could provide the type of possession receiver the Chargers need to take the pressure of Malcolm Floyd and Antonio Gates.  Naanee only has 64 receptions in his career, so temper your expectations, but at least monitor how the Chargers receiving situation plays itself out.

Chaz Schillens WR, Raiders: We actually hyped up Schillens a year ago, and that was with Jamarcus Russell at quarterback.  Unfortunately, the quarterback failed, and Scillens was hampered with a foot injury the entire season.  Well, he is back on our list, seemingly healthy, and with a much improved quarterback in Jason Campbell.  Look for Schillens to emerge as the Raiders #1 WR option and perform more like and 8th-9th round draft pick opposed the 13th round in which he is currently being selected.

Laurent Robinson WR, Rams:  A broken Fibula sidelined Robinson for the majority of 2009, but the speedy wide receiver is back healthy in 2010 and is primed to pass Donny Avery as the #1 WR for the Rams.  Robinson, who runs a 4.38 40 yard dash, has all the talent to succeed in this league, but on a bad team, with a rookie quarterback, there are definitely going to be lumps along the way.  Look for Robinson to be slightly inconsistent, but as the Rams passing game develops, Robinson will see an increase in all of his offensive categories.

Tommy Rowan is the co-founder and writer for fantasyfanplay.com

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