Fantasy football wide receivers yielding in Year 2: Eric Decker, Denver Broncos
The new Easy Ed?
He was still recovering from a pretty serious foot injury, but Eric Decker was one of the more underrated prospects in the 2010 NFL Draft class. The 2009 Biletnikoff Award finalist was perhaps the University of Minnesota's only legitimate weapon on offense. Unfortunately, near the end of his senior season, he suffered a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot.
The Denver Broncos drafted the 6-foot-3, 218-pound wide receiver in the third round and were patient as he gradually increased his workload in OTAs, training camp and preseason practices. Regardless, Decker's slow indoctrination, despite a couple of thrilling exhibition games, and the team's depth put him at a disadvantage in Josh McDaniels' offense.
One year later, the big pass catcher is turning headsets and beggin' for a bit of a fantasy football love.
Double Decker dare deal Tap your mouse here for more »
Fantasy football wide receivers yielding in Year 2: Taylor Price, New England Patriots
Price goes up, comes down with ball
When a receiver is buried on the depth chart behind Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco and Deion Branch and competing with Brandon Tate and Julian Edelman for attention, he might seem like a hopeless case. But the most talented wideout on the New England Patriots' roster may be moving ahead of those last two names and into Tom Brady's circle of trust.
Still, in that scenario, why fantasy football players would take an interest in 2010 third-round pick Taylor Price, who was active for only one 2010 game - in Week 17 - isn't immediately obvious. To those who haven't seen the 6-foot, 205-pounder play, that is.
Limited time only, reduced Price Tap your mouse here for more »
Fantasy football wide receivers yielding in Year 2: Dezmon Briscoe, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Briscoe beginning to stand out
Last season, Dezmon Briscoe didn't sniff a fantasy football roster. In fact, he barely got a whiff of an NFL roster. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted him in the sixth round in 2010 and cut him after their final preseason game. Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik, like Briscoe a product of Kansas, apparently tracked the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder after the draft and signed the receiver soon after he became available.
Briscoe bided his time on the Bucs' practice squad before debuting in Week 16, the same week that Arrelious Benn tore his ACL. The former Jayhawk caught two passes in that tilt plus four more balls for 65 yards and a TD in the final regular season contest. That seems to have been enough to whet his whistle.
Law and average draft order Tap your mouse here for more »
Fantasy football wide receivers yielding in Year 2: Golden Tate, Seattle Seahawks
Tate trudges forth
Fantasy football players fell in love with Golden Tate (5-foot-10, 202 pounds) far too quickly after the Seattle Seahawks drafted him in 2010.
Assuredly, the disappointment that many sleeper-seeking fantasy owners felt last year is fueling the lack of attention that Tate, 23, receives in drafts in 2011. The Seattle sophomore has made a different impression in his second NFL training camp.
Golden opportunity Tap your mouse here for more »
The carefree forecasts for Josh Freeman
Freeman drafters look forward - only
Honestly, I didn't expect to see Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman's name so high in the quarterback section of Mock Draft Central's ADP data awhile back. Some fantasy football players are willing to take this Adonis-like passer in the first 60 to 80 picks. His ADP is about 100th overall, which places him 10th among QBs for the average drafter.
Freeman made remarkable advances in 2010. He threw a mere six picks, one-third the number he tossed in his rookie campaign, in 184 more attempts. That Tom Brady-like total, combined with his 25 TD tosses - 11 of them to stud pass-catcher Mike Williams - helped him fashion a No. 8 finish among signal callers in total fantasy points.
What was I thinking? Of course he'll be drafted that early. Everybody loves a young stud. And he'll only get better, right?
These points ain't free, man Tap your mouse here for more »
