Fantasy Football 2011: 5 Late-Round Receivers to Target

For my fantasy football league in 2009, I decided to try a new strategy and it paid off big. I analyzed the numbers and saw the biggest discrepancy for top-tier players was at the wide receiver position. I was determined to own the best receivers in the league, to guarantee solid output.

I played in a 10-team league and drew the t10th overall pick, which was great news since I had consecutive picks, and no one knew my strategy. I grabbed Andre Johnson (1,569 YDS 9 TD) and Larry Fitzgerald (1,092 YDS 13 TD), and with the help of a 16th-round pick on Ray Rice, I cruised to the make-believe title.

So should you use this strategy in your draft this year?

No.

I love receivers, and Johnson especially, but there is a much bigger difference in projected output for running backs and even quarterbacks than for receivers.

I compiled 2011 projections for every position from espn.com, yahoo.com, nfl.com and si.com and averaged out their stat projections. Using multiple rankings gives you a more accurate portrayal of what a player may be able to accomplish on the field instead of just relying on one list that thinks Julio Jones is a top-15 target.

Here is a list of five receivers (and an honorable mention) with projections and their average draft position (ADP) on yahoo.com, to target later rather than using a first- or second-round pick on one of the elite.

Mario Manningham

If Eli Manning wants to prove that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, he is going to have to put up big numbers.

While Hakeem Nicks is the Giants' top receiver, Manningham has proven to be a favorite of Manning.

2011 Projection: 985 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs

Total Points: 149

ADP: 78

Lee Evans

After being traded from Buffalo Bills to the Baltimore Ravens, Evans should see his fantasy draft stock increase.

Defenses will be game-planning on stopping the run first, then Anquan Boldin, leaving Evans to reap the rewards.

2011 Projection: 807 receiving yards, 6 receiving TDs

Total Points: 117

ADP: 123

Jacoby Ford

The Oakland Raiders love guys who can run a quick 40-yard dash, and they will find a spot for them.

In Ford’s case, it worked out. Not only is he a deep threat but the Raiders also like to draw up some reverses for him, thus adding a little more value.

2011 Projection: 727 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs, 146 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Points: 113

ADP: 124

Lance Moore

The New Orleans Saints love to throw the football. Everyone knows this, and yet they still cannot be stopped.

Marques Colston is obviously the first choice, but Drew Brees likes to spread the ball around.

2011 Projection: 735 receiving yards, 7 receiving TDs

Total Points: 114

ADP: 129

Robert Meachem

The exact same thing that said about Lance Moore goes for Robert Meachem.

No more Reggie Bush means the burden of the run game is on Pierre Thomas, who cannot play a full season, and an unproven rookie in Mark Ingram.

2011 Projection: 709 receiving yards, 7 receiving TDs

Total Points: 113

ADP: 131

Honorable Mention: Hakeem Nicks

Now I know that he is not exactly a sleeper, but instead of using a first round pick on Andre Johnson, you could grab Nicks in the middle of the third and his projections are very similar.

2011 Projection: 1,268 receiving yard, 11 receiving TDs

Total Points: 195

ADP: 21