Chad Ochocinco and Company: 6 Players with Excellent Fantasy Value

Travis' latest article was a look at Matthew Stafford, and the copious amounts of fantasy value he carries with him for the 2011 season, and it can be found here.

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and that can only mean one question.

What the hell is Labor Day for anyway?

I mean, *cough*, who are this season's fantasy football value picks?

Year in and year out, players often slip down the rankings of self-proclaimed experts, which means a few things. If you happen to like some of these players, you're in luck, since you can more often than not pick them up for very cheap. It can also mean that they should carry a red-flag, whether it be injury, an attitude problem or maybe an issue with the coaching staff.

While sifting through some rankings, a lot of names have stood out so far as players that I believe will have far more value this season. Hopefully, after I put some chips into the pot of the following players, more people will give them a closer look.

*Note: The ESPN ranking is the players number on their annual "Top 300", using the most recent update. The Yahoo number, is the players average draft position in standard leagues

The Quarterbacks

1. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, #107 on ESPN, #95 on Yahoo!

I've already made my love for Stafford extremely vocal.

I don't know why he's going as low as he is, because I personally believe he is loaded with talent and a hot, young offense, that will be in a lot of tight games.

I like to believe that given the opportunity to keep themselves close on the scoreboard, the numbers that really matter, they would rather trust the young gunslinger than Jahvid Best.

Should be going ahead of: Eli Manning, Josh Freeman and Joe Flacco

2. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos, #136 on ESPN, #121 on Yahoo!

23. Holy smokes, you have GOT to be kidding me. A whopping 23 quarterbacks have an average draft position higher than Orton according to Yahoo!.com. This list includes Tim Tebow, although I'm going to accredit that to just plain stupidity.

I seriously am baffled as to how Orton just fell off the face of the Earth. He has proven time and time again he can win games, and put up a very big plateful of yards.

Does he have a new team like Kevin Kolb? No, of course not. Magazine covers like Sanchez? Nope. Should he be ranked higher than both of them? I definitely think so.

This is the same Kolb that practiced with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, and did so often. Doesn't anybody remember that it was him, in fact, that got supplanted by Vick last year? Why is everyone so high on him all of a sudden?

Orton has already won over new head coach Jon Fox, and I believe he will most likely keep the job the entire year. How he is going this late, we may never know.

Should be going ahead of: David Garrard, Mark Sanchez and Jay Cutler

The Running backs

1. Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys, #45 on ESPN, #83 on Yahoo!

For years, Jones sat behind Marion Barber and even Tashard Choice on occasion. This year, I believe Jones will shoulder the load and receive about 17-20 touches per game.

Jason Garrett replaced Wade Phillips mid-season in 2010, and instantly it was clear that the young Cowboy was going to be given a tougher look.

Jones is not only elusive and extremely shifty, but he also has phenomenal hands out of the backfield and figures to be a key component in the passing game.

Should be going ahead of: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Knowshon Moreno and Ahmad Bradshaw

2. Tim Hightower, Washington Redskins, #76 on ESPN, #99 on Yahoo!

Hightower has been growing in popularity as of late, but still could use a bit of a push. It has been announced by Coach Shanahan that Hightower is "very likely" to open the season as the starting running back.

Hightower is currently ranked No. 32 in terms of strictly ball carriers, but I believe, given Ryan Torain's health [or lack thereof], Hightower can put up some productive numbers.

Should be going ahead of: Mark Ingram and Fred Jackson

The Wide Receivers

1. Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings, #57 on ESPN, #65 on Yahoo!

Definitely my biggest gamble on this list, but I really do believe this could be Harvin's breakout campaign. A change in dieting, and workout routine has let Harvin go almost nine full months without experiencing one of his signature migraines.

Hopefully, after this season, Harvin will be remembered more for his speed and big play ability. McNabb is now the man under center, and Sidney Rice is off to Seattle.

Bill Musgrave is the new offensive coordinator in Minny, and he is known for loving his backs and his tight ends. What does that mean for Harvin? Hopefully, as the game wears on, week in and week out, Harvin will be able to explode for a big play or two with the tight ends covering the middle of the field.

Should be going ahead of: Steve Johnson, Brandon Lloyd and Kenny Britt

2. Chad Ochocinco, New England Patriots, #91 on ESPN, #66 on Yahoo!

Chad Ochocinco was one of the flashier acquisitions this offseason, going from a horrible Bengals offense, to a potent, productive New England squad. As with everyone else on this list, I can't figure out why he isn't being valued higher, if only slightly.

Ochocinco is believed by many to be arrogant, a trouble-maker and all about himself.

I was fortunate enough to meet the man this summer at Disneyland and he did not appear to be that way whatsoever. Followers of his on Twitter will most likely agree. Although he known for his on-field antics, off-field problems have never once been a concern.

I find it laughable that people critique Ochocinco before they bring up Kenny Britt's legal problems, Donte Stallworth's troubled past or even Plaxico Burress.

Plax just got out prison. Yes people, prison, yet only finds himself and Chad separated by eight wide receivers. Let's just think about that for a second. The player coming out of a penitentiary, having shot himself in the leg, AND catching balls from Mark Sanchez, is a mere handful of guys away from the only player in NFL history to lead his league in receiving yards FOUR years in a row?

Plus he's catching balls from Tom Brady!

I say pounce on the ex-Bengal. Much earlier than the ninth round.

Should be going ahead of: A.J. Green, Santana Moss, Sidney Rice and Pierre Garcon

Fantasy is certainly a fickle thing. Once a trend gets leaked out, everyone starts jumping on the bandwagon. Once someone is touted as a "sleeper" he almost immediately becomes overvalued by everyone hawking for him too early.

This year, I think it's more important to scour the rankings on your own and find some gems that you believe should be dug up.

Above all, and as always, I wish you nothing but perfect drafts [if there is such a thing], waiver wire wizardry and championships-a-plenty!