Fantasy Football: Best Under-the-Radar Options at Each Position

Fantasy football can be played many different ways.  Some play with their heart, drafting everyone on their favorite teams.  That can be a losing endeavor if you're a Rams or Dolphins fan.  Some play it by ESPN statisticians.  They look at who has proved themselves with amazing yardage and touchdown totals.  Even that can be a losing endeavor. (Chris Johnson anyone?)

Some, like me, prefer to look at the week to week match-ups and organize their team accordingly.  If you're of this line of thinking, this article is for you.  Chances are, these guys are going to be free agents in your league, and available to showcase on your team this week.

Take a look, and you just might be dominating this week.

QB: Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs

Before all you naysayers go crazy, I did see last week's game.  Yes, I saw the two interceptions and the fumble.  I saw that he only threw for one touchdown.  Is he a good quarterback?  No, of course not.  But that isn't what this article is concerning.

This is about whether he is going to put up big numbers this week.  And the answer to that question is a resounding yes.  He is matched up against Miami.  Yes, those winless Dolphins.  While the rest of the season may continue to be a flop, this week is going to be huge for him.  Those throws to Jon Baldwin is something we are going to see a lot of this week.

Add into that the breakout play of running back Jackie Battle, and you have an opportunity to put up some serious numbers this week.  Now I'm not saying if you have Michael Vick or Aaron Rodgers, that you should sit them in lieu of Cassel, but if you waited to pick up your quarterback late, this could be a big win for you.

MOST USEFUL TO: Cam Newton owners

MOST USELESS TO: Michael Vick, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady owners

RB: Jackie Battle, Kansas City Chiefs

I'm going to continue to pick on the Dolphins this week.  Anyone who is playing against them is always a target for pickup that week.  Jackie Battle takes this to a new level though.

In his last three games, he has gained at least 70 yards on the ground.  Expect this to be four in a row after this week's game against Miami.  If you take a look at his stats, they don't jump out at you, but that is mostly because of lack of confidence from the coaches.  They continue to waste carries on Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster.  That's going to stop this week.

Battle has been showing consistent improvement and the coaches are seeing it.  Expect him to see a massive amount of carries against a weak Miami run defense.  As for getting it in the end zone, that will come this week. 

I don't expect to see too many more direct snaps for touchdowns and Le'Ron McClain isn't going to get the ball at the goal line like he did against Oakland, so Battle should rack up at least a touchdown, maybe two.  If he's available, go get him for this week, and maybe more.

MOST USEFUL TO: Adrian Peterson and Maurice Jones-Drew owners

MOST USELESS TO: LeSean McCoy and Arian Foster owners

WR: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

I had to think long and hard about this pick.  I considered three players for this pick, but ultimately decided that Brown was the best choice.  It was a hard decision between Brown, Mario Manningham and Jonathan Baldwin. 

I decided against Manningham because he most likely isn't available in your league anymore.  If he his, disregard and go get him.  My decision against Jonathan Baldwin was more related to the fact I already have two Chiefs recommended and not everyone is going to get the ball.  That being said, if you can't get Battle, go get Baldwin.

Brown has a huge upside this week even though he had a great game last week.  With so many options on offense, Big Ben can sling it around to any number of guys.  However, teams know who they are going to key on, especially Baltimore.  They know they have to stop Hines in the open field and Miller will eat them alive on a bootleg at the goal line, but Brown is an unknown.  They may try to key on him, but that will only open up the field for the other receivers. 

So you may only get one good half out of Brown, but it could be a really, really, good half.

MOST USEFUL TO: Calvin Johnson and Steve Smith owners

MOST USELESS TO: Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham owners

TE: Jake Ballard, NY Giants

The tight end market is weak.  Pretty much every good tight end has been taken.  So we are left with picks that will never be tops, but could be top of the crap.

Jake Ballard fits that description.  He will not put up huge numbers, but the Giants red-zone efficiency could really bring Ballard into the mix.  He won't catch and run anything in the open field, but those two-yard bootlegs in the red zone can really push a guy's value up. 

Add to that the fact that they are playing one of the worst defenses in the NFL in the Patriots.  Expect Ballard to pull down at least one touchdown this week, with the chance for more.

MOST USEFUL TO: Dallas Clark owners

MOST USELESS TO: Jimmy Graham and Jason Witten owners

D/ST: Cincinnati Bengals

This is bottom of the barrel thinking.  Simple thinking, they are playing Tennessee.  They are pretty much going to be the only defense available in your league that has a prayer of not getting scored on left and right. 

You probably wouldn't do much worse to leave this spot empty on your roster.  Sorry, but dems da breaks.

MOST USEFUL TO: People who forgot to draft a defense

MOST USELESS TO: Everyone else