A boost in Kendall Wright's touchdown total should push him into the top 15 among fantasy wide receivers.

I selected Kendall Wright ridiculously late in my PPR league last year and was rewarded quite nicely for doing so. Wright was an absolute beast in PPR leagues, as his 94 receptions proved a nice bonus as my WR4. And his 12 games of at least five catches made him a pretty consistent player. The one caveat with Wright is his lack of touchdowns. His two scores were, indeed, a blemish on his 2013 resume, but his continued development—and that of quarterback Jake Locker—should at least triple his scoring output for 2014.

New head coach Ken Whisenhunt did wonders for wide receiver Eddie Royal last year as the offensive coordinator for San Diego. Royal scored the most TDs of his career (eight) while playing as the third receiver in the Chargers’ offense. If Whisenhunt can transform Royal from a glorified punt returner to a threat in the slot, imagine what he can do with Wright. Look for him to once again flirt with 90 catches and supplement that production with six to eight scores this season.

RB Terrance West, CLE
ADP: 8.04

Terrance West is on most people’s list of players fantasy owners should target. They point to presumed incumbent running back Ben Tate’s inability to stay healthy and Cleveland’s apparent plan to rely more on the running game after leading the league in pass attempts in 2013. Tate, for all the hype that came with being a running back on a team that boasted arguably the best run-blocking offensive line in the league, didn’t have a ton of production in Houston.

West should be given every opportunity to be the more productive of the two. The rookie from Towson scored 84 TDs during his college career, and in limited action this preseason, he has shown a burst that Tate seems devoid of. While neither he nor Tate ha premier pass-catching skills, West has the better overall package that should translate into fantasy production as the season progresses.

TE Kyle Rudolph, MIN
ADP: 8.10

The tight end position is as deep as it’s ever been in fantasy football. Some of that is attributed to the league’s pass-happy philosophy; most of it is the result of more athletic players at the position—a big contrast from when a tight end was considered a de facto sixth offensive lineman who could catch. Kyle Rudolph played only eight games last season, but he scored nine times in an injury-free 2012—in spite of the struggles of quarterback Christian Ponder.

Several things favor Rudolph in 2014. First, he has Adrian Peterson at running back. Need I say more? Second, the quarterback situation in Minnesota should be improved from last year, regardless of who gets the nod between Matt Cassel and rookie Teddy Bridgewater. And lastly, new offensive coordinator Norv Turner will look to exploit defenses that overcompensate for Peterson and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. A full season should spell success for Rudolph and make him a solid TE1.

TE Dennis Pitta, BAL
ADP: 8.04

Again, the embarrassment of riches in the NFL at the tight end position gives fantasy owners a boatload of options, either in TE-mandatory or TE-optional leagues. Dennis Pitta missed the bulk of last season with a hip injury, and Baltimore’s offense struggled as a result. Offensive line issues, an inability to run the football and limited options in the passing game helped contribute to the Ravens’ 29th ranking on offense in 2013.

Pitta’s return helps quarterback Joe Flacco and gives him a dependable receiver. Wide receiver Torrey Smith is developing, newly acquired WR Steve Smith is clearly on the back nine of his career, and we all know the story of Ray Rice and the questions surrounding Baltimore’s running game. But it is Pitta who will give this offense the juice it needs to put up numbers. Pitta and Flacco have a bond on and off the field, and it will be that rapport that will fuel Pitta’s ascension to TE1 status.

QB Sam Bradford, STL
ADP: 14.06

I’ll preface Sam Bradford’s inclusion on this list by saying he’s not technically a mid-round selection; more like a late-round flier perhaps. Nonetheless, I felt it necessary to shine a spotlight on his expectations, which are low heading into the season, as many fantasy owners point to his inability to stay healthy. But quietly, Bradford put up starter-quality numbers in the first seven games last season before suffering a knee injury that ended his year. With 14 TDs and only three interceptions in his abbreviated 2013, Bradford was well on his way to being one of the steals of the draft.

Bradford has the same knock on him that Matthew Stafford once had. Stafford couldn’t stay out of the training room during his first two seasons in the league but put everything together once he did. Bradford has a similar opportunity. While, obviously, he has no one the caliber of Calvin Johnson to assist with his maturation the way Stafford did, Bradford nonetheless has capable playmakers on the outside that can serve as complementary pieces to Bradford’s fantasy relevance. My opinion of Bradford is not so narrow-minded that I’d project him as an every-week starter; I do, though, think he will serve as a solid bye-week filler. While the love fest for other QBs such as Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown persists, I’d suggest going with Bradford.