Fantasy Football: The 10 Early-Round Value Picks To Win You a Title
With the preseason getting underway, it means that fantasy football drafts are starting to pick up and owners across the country are pouring over mock drafts and stat sheets hoping to find that next big fantasy stud.
I'll save you some time and a whole lot of stress and give you 10 players that aren't really near the top of the depth chart in your draft room, but will get you that top tier value.
No. 10: Shonn Greene
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A tricky selection, but a player I'd be willing to take a gamble on if the situation was right. After only one 100-yard rushing game and two touchdowns all season, Greene exploded in the postseason. The former-Hawkeye rushed for 135 and 128 yards in the Jets' first two playoff games and that was enough for New York to ship out veteran back Thomas Jones.
Greene will be splitting time with LaDainian Tomlinson, but you'll be able to get Greene later in drafts and could be a major steal. Just don't try and be a hero and draft him too early. Greene is ranked 11th in running backs by CBS Sports—bide your time and wait until it's smart to take him.
No. 9: Anquan Boldin
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Boldin traded in that red jersey for a black one in the offseason as Boldin was traded to Baltimore to join Joe Flacco and company. The situation will be drastically different for the wideout this year—there won't be Kurt Warner and there won't be Larry Fitzgerald, but I'm confident the production will be around the same. With Ray Rice pounding the ball up the middle, it should open up holes for Flacco and the passing game.
Boldin is ranked 14th among wideouts by CBS Sports and could be the primary target of a suddenly powerful offense. You can probably snag Boldin in the third or fourth round and could be a solid number one or excellent No. 2 receiver on your roster.
No. 8: Roddy White
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A lot of NFL fans may not know of Roddy White, but a lot of fantasy owners should. White has had three straight 1000-yard seasons and finally cracked double digit touchdowns this past season. The six-year pro has matured with quarterback Matt Ryan and should be a very solid addition to anyone's roster.
White is ranked sixth among wideouts by CBS Sports and you can probably get him in round three or so, especially if there's a run at the position in your draft. He'll be taken after guys like Larry Fitzgerald and I don't think the value between the two will be that far off. You can wait around and snag White while you stock up at another position.
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No. 7: Rashard Mendenhall
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Okay, okay. I know there are plenty of reasons not to draft Rashard Mendenhall. He had a brutal rookie year two years ago that ended in a season-ending injury. Mendenhall also struggled down the stretch last year and he's not running behind the best offensive line ever.
I know that isn't the greatest sell, but here's why he's worth a pick. He cracked a 1000 yards last year behind that line and notched seven touchdowns along the way. Also, with Ben Roethlisberger serving a suspension to start the season, the Steelers should lean on Mendenhall to carry the offense.
Mendenhall is ranked 10th among running backs and you'll be able to get him at the end of the first round or early in the second. It could be later depending on the size of your league and where the chips fall, but you could do worse than the former-Illini at running back.
No. 6: Joe Flacco
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No Baltimore Ravens quarterback has ever been a fantasy stud (my apologies to Elvis Grbac). Ever. But I think this may be the year with Joe Flacco. Flacco threw for 21 touchdowns last year while racking up 3613 yards and those numbers are only going to go up with the addition of Anquan Boldin. Throw in an extra year of maturity for Ray Rice and Baltimore has formed a potent offense for Flacco to run.
Flacco is ranked ninth among quarterbacks and you could probably get him in the sixth round if running backs and wideouts start flying off the board. Try and load up at skill positions and build around Flacco at quarterback—you won't be disappointed.
No. 5: Miles Austin
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At this time last year, Miles Austin was only known by Cowboys fans and the smartest fantasy owners who took Austin as a deep sleeper. Now, everyone knows who Austin is and he's one of the better receivers in the league. He grabbed 11 touchdowns and racked up 1320 yards as he burst on to the scene.
Just because he had a big year last year, it doesn't mean he still can't be a steal for you. Austin is ranked eighth among wideouts and you should be able to snag him in about the third rounds after guys like Calvin Johnson. However, you will get top-tier value even though Austin won't be going with guys who are believed to be top five at his position.
No. 4: Philip Rivers
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One thing fantasy owners love is big plays—and Rivers made plenty of them in 2009. Rivers averaged 8.8 yards per attempt—the best in the league. Rivers also wasn't slinging the ball all of the field like Drew Brees last year, something that will change with the loss of LaDainian Tomlinson and there being question marks at the running back position. Also, with the defense taking some hits, Rivers could be trying to throw his team back into games, only raising his value.
Rivers is ranked seventh among quarterbacks—after guys like Tom Brady and I think Rivers will put up far better numbers than Brady. Snag Rivers in the fourth round and watch the fireworks.
No. 3: Jonathan Stewart
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What's the difference between Stewart and his counterpart, DeAngelo Williams? Five carries, 16 yards and two draft rounds. Stewart got more touches and gained more on the ground, but for some reason Williams is going in the first round while you can get Stewart two rounds later.
While Stewart is coming off of an Achilles injury a few years ago, he's still been able to produce and will get plenty of touches at Matt Moore tries to settle into Carolina's starting job. It'd be wise to pass on Williams, stock up on other positions and grab Stewart later in your draft.
No. 2: Jamaal Charles
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Down the stretch last year, you'd be hard pressed to find a running back more productive than Charles. In the final eight games, Charles ran for 968 yards and seven touchdowns as he emerged as a fantasy threat. Charles is also a big play back and will get you a couple long touchdowns that will make you very happy as a fantasy owner.
Charles is ranked 16th among running backs and you can get him in round three. If you can handcuff him with Thomas Jones, you'll have a potent rushing duo.
No. 1: Tony Romo
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He's not Drew Brees and he's not Peyton Manning, but Tony Romo was right up there with them last year. Romo kept the turnovers down and tallied yards all season long, finishing third among quarterbacks in yards. Now he's got Miles Austin as a major threat along with Jason Witten as his security blanket. Throw in a solid stable of running backs and Romo is running a potent offense that will give him ample opportunities to help your team.
Romo is ranked sixth among quarterbacks and you can snag him in the fourth round. You could pass on the top tier quarterbacks and grab Romo and get that stud quarterback production and may be one of the more undervalued players coming into this season.
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