Fantasy Football: 10 Must-Know NFL Names for 2010 Season

The 2010 Fantasy Football season is here!  While most fantasy drafters are aware of the top 100 guys, many of them are not aware of the underrated players in the mid-to-late rounds.  Here I provide you with a list of 10 fantasy football gems for the 2010 season that will help you to the fantasy season of your dreams!

Ben Roethlisberger

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 02: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the preseason game on September 2, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Big Ben's suspension recently dropped from six games down to four.  Although he has QB1 talent, he won't go until the middle of the draft.  Mid-draft he is a great value pick as he can give you great production while being your QB2.  Only draft him if you've already drafted a decent QB1 and solid QB2.

Projections:

3100 Passing Yards

21 TD's/10 INT's

Arian Foster

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - AUGUST 28: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans avoids a tackle from cornerback Terrence Newman #41 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a preseason game at Reliant Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo b

Arian Foster might be this year's biggest sleeper at RB.  Last year, his rookie campaign ended with him rushing for a not-so-outstanding 257 yards.  This year, however, as a first string back with the Texans, Foster will get many more opportunities to shine, particularly along the goal line.  If he can continue to have a high yards-per-carry and can take advantage of red zone opportunities, Foster should be a legitimate RB2 in fantasy this year.

Projections:

1,000 yards rushing

12 TD's

Wes Welker

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 02: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during training camp on August 2, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Wes Welker is the only player in NFL History to have three consecutive 110+ reception seasons ('07-'09).  This year he looks to continue that streak despite the fact that he is still recovering from knee injury that ended his season in Week 15 last year.  That injury has dropped him in fantasy rankings; however, he has played in the preseason and although he admits he's not 100%, he should be a great value WR2 this season in fantasy.

Projections:

100 receptions

1,100 receiving yards

5 TD's

Mike Wallace

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 20: Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs in for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the game on December 20, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/G

Mike Wallace established himself as a deep ball threat during rookie season.  Despite only catching 39 balls, he scored 6 TD's.  This season, with Ben Roethlisberger's 4 game suspension, Wallace's name has dropped a bit in fantasy rankings.  I don't buy it though.  I expect big numbers from Wallace as he should be targeted more often with the departure of former #1 receiver Santonio Holmes to the Jets.

Projections:

60 receptions

1,000 receiving yards

8 TD's

Malcolm Floyd

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 21: Wide receiver Malcolm Floyd #80 catches a pass against Terence Newman #41 of the Dallas Cowboys during their preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium on August 21, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/

Malcolm Floyd has been soaring under the radar in fantasy rankings and I don't know why.  With Vincent Jackson suspended for the first 3 games and seeking a trade, Floyd has the opportunity to shine in an offense led by top-10 QB Phillip Rivers.

Projections:

65 receptions

900 receiving yards

5 TD's

Laurent Robinson

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 27: Wide receiver Laurent Robinson #11 of the St. Louis Rams runs on the field during the preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 27, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Image

Laurent Robinson is another name you must be familiar with.  He played great in the first 3 games last year with 13 catches for 167 yards and a TD before being placed on IR.  This year, if healthy, he should be a decent WR3 or backup WR, especially since the Rams #1 wideout Donnie Avery recently was placed on IR.

Projections:

55 receptions

700 receiving yards

4 TD's

Jermichael Finley

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers signals, along with a referee, a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Jermichael Finley is a guy who nearly everyone has as their sleeper TE, making him a non-sleeper.  However, unlike most people, I feel that Finley isn't just a top-10 fantasy TE, I think he's #1.  He's in a pass-happy offense led by possible NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and has been dominate this preseason and at the end of last season.  If you're on the clock and have to choose between Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates, and Finley, I'd pick Finley.

Projections:

80 receptions

1,000 receiving yards

8 TD's

Owen Daniels

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - OCTOBER 25: Tight-end Owen Daniels #81 of the Houston Texans completes a pass in front of safety Mark Roman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers at Reliant Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Owen Daniels was on pace to have 80 catches for more than 1,000 yards and 10 TD's before an ACL tear ended his season 8 games in.  Texans coaches are limiting his time the first few regular season games to ease him into things; however, Daniels is definitely a great TE2 option for you in fantasy.

Projections:

65 receptions

800 receiving yards

6 TD's

Zach Miller

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

NAPA, CA - AUGUST 01: Zach Miller #80 of the Oakland Raiders works out during the Raiders training camp at their Napa Valley Training Complex on August 1, 2010 in Napa, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

If you're in the last three rounds or so of your fantasy draft and need a backup TE, Zach Miller is the guy you want.  Last season, he finished 8th among TE's in receiving yards.  Expect more of the same from Miller or even an improvement as the Raiders are now being orchestrated by Jason Campbell, a great improvement over JaMarcus Russell.

Projections:

75 receptions

900 receiving yards

5 TD's

Mike Williams (Both Tampa and Seattle Players)

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 21: Wide receiver Mike Williams #1 of the Seattle Seahawks signals first down after making a catch during the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Qwest Field on August 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr

If you need a backup WR in the last three rounds of the draft, I'd go with either Mike Williams or Mike Williams.  That's right, there are two underrated Mike's at wideout this year, who both share the same name. Rookie Mike Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has earned himself a starting job this preseason as he finished 14th in the NFL in receiving yards and looks to be a big play threat.  Veteran Mike Williams of the Seattle Seahawks had been a bust with the Lions years ago; however, he has earned a starting nod over TJ Houshmandzadeh with the Hawks after finishing 10th in the NFL in receiving yards this preseason.

Projections (Tampa Guy):

50 receptions

750 receiving yards

5 TD's

Projections (Seattle Guy):

45 receptions

600 receiving yards

5 TD's