Fantasy Football 2011: Mario Manningham a PPR Gem

Ten out of 14 games played with at least double-digit points in PPR formatted leagues. That's what Mario Manningham did a season ago.

The New York Giant receiver is considered second fiddle to Hakeem Nicks, but if you draft him in your fantasy football league, he could prove to be more valuable.

Manningham's average draft position in ESPN fantasy football leagues is 67.8. That places him below Anquan Boldin, Steve Johnson and Brandon Marshall. Your first thought is probably, "Those guys are all number one receivers, of course that makes sense." Don't fall for that logic. Last season, despite being the third receiver on the Giants behind Nicks and Steve Smith, Manningham managed to finish with more points than Boldin and Marshall even though he missed two games.

With Steve Smith out of town, Mario Manningham's value increases dramatically. Granted that for most of last season, either Nicks or Smith was injured, but Manningham took advantage. Now he is in the position where if Nicks does go down to an injury, he becomes the number one receiver.

The final three games of the season a year ago when Steve Smith was out injured have been well documented. Manningham went for over 20 points in PPR leagues in all three of those games. I'm not saying that he will put up those types of numbers on a weekly basis, but he could easily average 12-15 points a game this season. Eli Manning finished eighth in the league in pass attempts so a 12-15 point average is definitely in reach this season.

Don't let the potential of Hakeem Nicks scare you away from drafting Manningham. The rumors that Eli Manning will only target Nicks are false. So far this preseason, they have been targeted the same amount of times, eight apiece. Manningham has caught four of those balls to Nicks' two. Not saying that the trend will continue, but it is something to consider.

A final argument to consider when Manningham is still available on your draft board, is who else is Eli going to pass to? Of course he has Nicks, but outside of that, the Giants don't have many options. Preseason wonder Victor Cruz or Super Bowl hero Domenik Hixon will be the third receiver. That in itself says a lot. Kevin Boss is no longer there as an option at tight end. Ahmad Bradshaw will get some looks at running back, but he won't subtract from Manningham's targets. 

When those fifth, sixth and seventh rounds come in your fantasy draft, don't reach on a defense or pick a tight end. Pick the guy nobody is giving enough credit for. Mario Manningham can easily be that crucial middle round pick that wins your fantasy league.