2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide Receivers

The parity in the NFL makes fantasy football statistics harder to predict than other fantasy sports such as basketball. In fantasy basketball, many players are consistent with their career averages regardless of the situation they’re playing in. Fantasy football couldn’t be more opposite. Consistent statistical seasons are hard to find over time from any position in fantasy football, but especially at wide receiver. Receivers are a fickle bunch and often have a great statistical year one year, followed by a horrible statistical year the next. So many factors affect whether they are successful, such as changing quarterbacks midseason or the rise of a unknown running back. Whatever it is, fantasy football owners are used to dealing with the surprises that make fantasy football so much fun to begin with. Here are seven wide receivers that made our list of 2010 Fantasy Football Sleeper Wide Receivers.

Johnny Knox, WR, Chicago Bears – Knox had a solid rookie season in 2009, registering 45 receptions for 527 yards and five touchdowns. He was one of the few bright spots in Chicago’s somewhat dysfunctional offense. A fifth-round pick from Abilene-Christian College, Knox also excelled on special teams, averaging 29 yards per return. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz brings his pass-happy offensive playbook to the Bears this season. Martz is responsible for the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” offense from 1999 to 2001 that made stars out of receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. Knox compares favorably to these former Ram standouts. Martz was also successful in Detroit, turning the somewhat forgettable quarterback Jon Kitna into a 4000-yard passer. 

This year Martz gets to call plays for Jay Cutler, arguably his most talented quarterback yet. If Martz was able to bring out the best in Kitna, imagine what he should be able to do with the canon hanging off of Cutler’s right shoulder. The success of Johnny Knox and the rest of the Bears’ talented receivers this season hinges on Cutler and the offensive line getting their collective acts together. Knox’s blazing speed and ability to stretch the field fits right in with Martz’s offense where speed and timing are huge keys to success. If Martz uses Devin Hester in the slot much like how he used Az Hakim in all his successful Rams’ teams, then Knox should see less coverage, more space, and increased targets. Opportunity together with Knox’s abilities plus chemistry with Cutler that lasts through the season, could prove rewarding for owners who draft him as a WR4 or WR5 fantasy reserve, then watch as Knox posts WR2-type numbers in 2010. 

To find out who else made our list of 2010 Wide Receiver Sleepers, click here: 2010 Wide Receiver Sleepers.