Fantasy Football 2010: Five Undervalued Wide Receivers Worth Targeting

For some reason, every year certain players drop in fantasy drafts for a variety of reasons. Whether it is age, change in Coordinator, previous injury, etc. The list goes on and on.

Fortunately for the wise fantasy players, they recognize that they don't have to feel cheated when they don't pick up the top player at a particular position.

Wide receivers are plentiful in the NFL. It is the deepest offensive position.

It provides plenty of ammunition for fantasy owners who don't have to take Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White or Brandon Marshall in round two.

This year, there are five worthwhile players who fall as far as round nine that you can target to let yourself pick up the better quarterback and/or running back that you desire without much sacrifice.

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

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SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 02: Michael Crabtree #15 works out during the San Francisco 49ers training camp at their training complex on August 2, 2010 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The sophomore receiver was an instant impact player last year despite missing nearly half the season during a holdout.

Due to that fact, he did not put up the stats expected of a No. 1 receiver. However, if you stretch his numbers for the whole season, he breaks the 1,000 yard mark and pulls in 4-5 touchdowns.

That's nothing to balk at for a player who was still learning the system.

He has fallen deep into drafts and is an incredible value as a No. 1 receiver in an offense that may prefer the ground game but is also expanding its aerial credibility.

Grabbing him in the sixth round is not much of a stretch and he will be a standout fantasy star this year.

Projected Stats: 85 receptions, 1,250 yards receiving, 7 receiving touchdowns

Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 06: Mike Sims-Walker #11 prepares to run during the game against the Houston Texans at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Aside from Maurice Jones-Drew, Sims-Walker is really the only viable fantasy player from the Jaguars.

He is a No. 1 receiver in an offense that left something to be desired last year. However, this year his quarterback will be playing to prove his critics wrong.

Oh yeah, he's also a third year receiver, which seems to be the magical year for receivers to break out and strut their stuff.

Falling just short of the 900 yard mark last year will certainly turn off stats addicts from his potential. However, that number is certain to improve as the Jags look the air to move the ball more this year.

Projected Stats: 78 receptions, 1,050 yards receiving, 9 receiving touchdowns

Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Wide receiver Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals de

Yes, Driver is 35 years old. So what?

Driver is coming off his sixth consecutive 1,000-plus yards, 70-plus receptions season. He is a starter in a pass-heavy offense that features Aaron Rodgers under center.

There are plenty of passes to go around and Driver will be on the receiving end of his fair share.

His points ceiling may not be as high as it used to be, but the points floor is better than plenty of others.

Greg Jennings is getting all the love despite the fact that Driver was his equal for fantasy points last year, a fact that many forget. Of course, the differential will likely be deeper this year, but he will still outdo plenty of other fantasy receivers at an unbelievable eighth round value in many drafts.

Projected Stats: 72 receptions, 950 yards receiving, 8 receiving touchdowns

Darrius Heyward-Bay, Oakland Raiders

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Darrius Heyward-Bey #12 of the Oakland Raiders warms up before their game against the Denver Broncos at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 27, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Heyward-Bey may be the ultimate risk/reward prospect in this year's fantasy draft. No one has any clue what to expect the Raiders offense.

However, one thing is for sure. Their sophomore No. 1 receiver is showing flashes of genius and is arguably their most improved player this off-season.

Sure, it's hard to take any play from the Raiders, Rams, or Browns this season but that doesn't mean that slapping such a great project player onto your bench should be ignored.

Considering the fact that he is available in the final four or five rounds of your draft, there's no reason not to at least look at taking the for sure No. 1 option for Jason Campbell.

Projected Stats: 68 receptions, 950 yards receiving, 7 receiving touchdowns

Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers smiles after catching a pass in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham

Mr. Smiley seems to be unrecognized as the No. 1 receiver for a passing attack that is one of the best in the NFL.

Yet there he is, still plugging away and doing what he does best. Crushing through defensive backs and picking up yards.

It seems silly that the age factor is played so much with Ward, who is only 34 and obviously has plenty of juice left in the tank.

Plus, Big Ben should only be gone for four games, which means that any early season lag will be shot down upon his return.

Ward in the sixth round is a tasty bit of fantasy joy for any owner this year.

Projected Stats: 80 receptions, 1,100 yards receiving, 6 receiving touchdowns