Insurance For You Roster And
For Your Peace Of Mind
8/13/09
Quarterbacks
| Running Backs | Wide Receivers
In my mind there are three main parts to any successful fantasy
draft. The first would be of course drafting your starting players,
the second would be drafting bench players, (preferably with some
upside to them), and third would be drafting insurance players,
otherwise known as handcuffs. In this article I’d like to
take a look at the 3 major positions (RB, QB, WR) and suggest
some main insurance-type players to backup your starters in case
the unforeseen happens.
Handcuffs at this position are not usually discussed but think
about it like this: If Adrian Peterson goes down with an injury,
the guy behind him on the depth chart just became very relevant.
The same can be said about backup WRs. Not all 3rd or 4th string
guys at this position could post helpful numbers if called upon
but I believe the 6 guys below could fill in and give you quality
third-WR type points with the possibility for even more. If you
own the starter in front of them and have an open bench spot to
draft them, do so. Even if you do not own the starter it may be
a good idea to take a flier on one of these guys or have them
on your watch list just in case their number gets called and you
need a starter with upside.
- Steve
Breaston (Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin) - Handcuff or
not, Breaston is one of the few #3 WRs in the league that could
actually help your team on a consistent basis. While only starting
four games in 2008, Breaston managed to have a 1,000-yard season
and score 9+ fantasy points seven times. With a year under his
belt, Breaston’s confidence and skill should improve. If Fitzgerald
or Boldin do miss any time due to injury Breaston will see more
targets as he did last year when Boldin missed time with facial
surgery and a hamstring inury. Breaston might even be considered
a top-15 option should he crack the starting lineup. His combination
of size (6’0, 190), hands, and explosiveness means he is more
than just a slot receiver and therefore would fill in adequately
if thrust into a starting role. His skill, the Cardinals desire
to pass, and the supporting cast, gives Breaston a chance to
emerge and make a name for himself.
- Chris
Henry (Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles) - Henry has the
size, speed, explosiveness and hands necessary to be a good
#1 NFL wide receiver. His off the field issues, lack of focus
and effort on the field. The word out of Bengals’ camp is Henry
is playing like he knows this is his last chance. He’s reportedly
added muscle to his long, lanky frame but kept his speed and
quickness, which led him to hauling in 15 touchdowns over his
short career. While he is technically still number three on
the depth chart, Carson Palmer is back and has the talent to
spread the ball around effectively to all his targets. Most
defenses don’t have the personnel to cover three good wideouts
and this should mean plenty of opportunities for Henry. If one
of the starters does go down with injury or Ochocinco decides
to go M.I.A, Henry would fill in adequately and I would predict
top-20 WR numbers for him as long as Palmer is still behind
center. If you’re looking for upside in the later rounds of
your draft, look no further than Mr. Henry.
A rookie wideout that could be a late-season
gem.
- Jeremy
Maclin (DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis) - If you are in a
dynasty league you probably will miss your chance to grab him
late but for yearly re-draft leagues Maclin may be a late-round
gem. Most fantasy football veterans know that 90% of rookie
wideouts do not make much of an impact on the fantasy world
their first year. Maclin may not initially get the chance to
shine, but for those with patience and a good-sized bench, Maclin’s
upside might be hard to resist. Most “experts” had Maclin as
the number 2 rated wide receiver in this year’s draft after
Michael Crabtree. He was projected to go top-15, possibly top-10,
to a team where he might be under pressure to perform right
away. A funny thing happened (Al Davis) though, and he dropped
all the way down to the Eagles who for sure wanted a wide receiver
but already had weapons in place. He will likely start the year
as the Eagles #3 or even #4 wideout, but because of his skill
and the Eagles propensity to pass, Maclin should quickly contribute
to the team and in fantasy. Take Maclin late in your draft and
be patient because around fantasy playoff time he just may get
enough touches for him to be a good WR 3 with upside WR 2 numbers.
- James
Jones (Greg Jennings, Donald Driver) - There was a time
when the NFC north was a run first, black and blue, ground and
pound division. That time has come and gone and the Packers
are leading the way behind Aaron Rodgers and his 4,000+ yards
through the air. Jones had an above average rookie year with
47 receptions for 676 yards despite not being a full time starter.
Last year Jones tried to play through a torn PCL but had a big
drop off in production. This year he’s back and should be 100%.
Donald Driver is in his eleventh season and may start showing
his age and Jones has the kind of tools to one day replace Driver
as the primary possession receiver in the Packer’s offense.
Keep an eye on Jones in your draft especially in dynasty and
keeper leagues, as this is his 3rd year and may actually be
his breakout campaign.
- Robert
Meachem (Marques Colston, Lance Moore) - Folks have been
waiting for Meachem to break out big since his rookie year where
he was taken in the first round. I believe if it is ever going
to happen this might be his last chance to shine, or remain
a career backup. At 6’2, 210 pounds, Meachem has the size and
raw ability to become a force in this league but has yet to
put it all together. He has shown brief flashes of brilliance
and then disappeared due to injury. He will most likely start
at 4th on the depth chart but there are a few things going in
his favor to see more time, and perhaps make a fantasy impact.
First, Devery Henderson is #3 on the depth chart but is a
wildly inconsistent receiver. He has amazing speed but drops
easy passes and remains an unpolished route runner. Number
2 on the depth chart is Lance Moore who had a breakout 2008
but tore his labrum this off-season, which required surgery.
Word is he should be back to complete health come game time
but any setbacks would obviously move Meachem up the charts.
Marques Colston also missed a good amount of time with a thumb
injury last year, then had his knee scoped. He is also supposed
to return to full health but it’s safe to say, the Saints
starting wideouts are building a solid injury history. If
Meachem does get on the field with any kind of regularity
I believe it will be boom or bust, but as a late round pick
or waiver wire flier you could do a lot worse than a former
1st round pick entering his third year on the NFL’s premier
passing offense.
- Martellus
Bennett (Jason Witten) - The only tight end to make this
list, Bennett thus far is known more for his crazy You
Tube clips than any plays he’s made on the field. At 6’6
and 265 Bennett is a massive target with above average speed,
quickness and soft hands to match. As everyone knows T.O. is
gone and the Cowboys are searching for another target to throw
to and Bennett may just be the man for the job. When Bennett
did get passes thrown his way last year he capitalized nicely
by catching 4 touchdowns and 12 first downs – not bad on a total
of 20 receptions. Of course, all pro Jason Witten is the unquestioned
starter and even though he’s battled his share of injuries,
he normally plays right through them. With a trio of good running
backs, the Boys may run a lot of two tight end sets and Bennett
could easily slip past the D with a little play action for a
couple scores. Obviously, unless you have to start 2 tight ends
in your league there should be better options out there, but
if Witten did miss time Bennett could step in and become Tony
Romo’s new security blanket. Keep an eye on him through the
year and be ready to scoop him up at the first rumblings of
a Witten injury or if the Cowboys decide to involve him more
in the offense as once you get past the first 10 tight ends,
Bennet has as much upside than any other tight end out there.
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