subject: Nfl Tickets - Fantasy: Late Bloomers [print this page] Here are some fantasy football players that I think will produce more going forward than their first few games have indicated.
Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions: Johnson is too talented to be held down much longer, and though defenses are all over him, he's going to start to put up bigger numbers as rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford gets more acclimated to the NFL. He's the most physically gifted receiver in the league and has all the abilities to sell tons of NFL tickets, and he'll show that as the season progresses.
Fred Taylor, Running Back, New England Patriots: Taylor might have won the starting job in Week 3 with his 100-yard performance against the Falcons. Other backs still figure to get involved in the Patriots' running game, but Taylor could be their best option for the bulk of the carries. Corey Dillon had a resurgent season with the Patriots and a similar thing could happen for Taylor.
Donald Brown, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts: Brown is still splitting carries with Joseph Addai, but it's only a matter of time before he takes over more of the load. He's much more dynamic than Addai and has shown to be valuable in the passing game as well. He's got a lot of potential, and playing in an offense like the Colts' certainly won't hurt.
Rashard Mendenhall, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers: Mendenhall's Week 3 benching could be exactly what he needed to get his butt in gear. He's got a ton of talent, but has not been able to realize it on the pro level. Willie Parker is hurting and Mendenhall could have a golden opportunity on his hands and is reportedly seeming more dedicated as of late.
Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions: Stafford is still figuring a lot of stuff out as he learns on the fly, but I think he's starting to get it. Having Calvin Johnson doesn't hurt either and I think the two will be a deadly combination by season's end. He's got the big arm to match Johnson's top-end speed and should be a solid fantasy option late in the year.
Braylon Edwards, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns: Edwards struggled mightily to get the ball during the first three weeks of the season, mostly due to Brady Quinn's aversion to throwing downfield. The Browns have decided to go with Derek Anderson at quarterback, a guy who likes to throw the ball downfield and was the quarterback during Edwards' huge 2007 season. If the duo can reclaim some of that 2007 chemistry, Edwards could be a good fantasy receiver again.
Michael Bush, Running Back, Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden has not wowed me and his three fumbles in Week 3 certainly didn't either. Bush has looked pretty good in limited work and could be getting into the mix a bit more going forward. He's worth a flyer.
Brandon Marshall, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos: In Week 3, it seemed that Marshall and quarterback Kyle Orton started to get some chemistry going and Marshall could be rounding into game shape after missing a lot of the preseason.
Greg Olsen, Tight End, Chicago Bears: I thought Olsen would be a fantasy beast this season, but he's started very slowly. It looks like he could be coming on, though, and is still an interesting tight end option going forward.
LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles: Brian Westbrook has not looked like the Westbrook of old when he's played this season and McCoy has looked good. I think we're witnessing a changing of the guard.
Knowshon Moreno, Running Back, Denver Broncos: Moreno is well on his way to becoming the feature back in Denver and his all-around skills should make him a really good fantasy player in all formats.
