The first week of the NFL season is nearly done and after an exciting day of games, some of the players performed well and others did not have great debuts, with players like Anquan Boldin, Victor Cruz, Julian Edelman, Jamaal Charles and James Jones ones to watch heading into Week 2.
With fantasy drafts still going on all over the place, here is a look at some players that could surprise this season, including names like Andrew Luck, Ryan Tannehill, Carson Palmer, Danny Woodhead, Eddie Lacy, Shane Vereen and Montee Ball among others.
Sleepers are often the best way to win championships in fantasy football, as players with value can be had in later rounds after all the elite stars are taken and this year there appears to be an abundance of under the radar talents. The quarterback position has a number of players this season that should put up very good numbers despite not ranking in the top tier of players at the position, including Carson Palmer, Alex Smith and Ryan Tannehill. Some busts this season could be names like Colin Kaepernick, Michael Vick and Andy Dalton, as well as RG3. Not saying they will have bad years, just not as good as last season went.
Palmer put up nice numbers last season in Oakland, but he should be much better now that he is throwing passes to Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona. Palmer is accurate and can get the ball down the field and with Michael Floyd developing and the running game looking stronger after drafting two rookies, he could put up some very solid numbers that makes him appear like a top fantasy quarterback when he really isn't one. Ryan Tannehill is a sexy choice for a breakout, as many have picked him after the Dolphins spent some money on offense this offseason and with Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline on the outside, he could have a big year.
The running back position is very deep this season and one played that could be an interesting draft pick is Rams back Daryl Richardson, as he is the favorite to get the starting job and last season he put up solid numbers towards the end of the year. Richardson was used a great deal out of the backfield at the end of the year and he could end up being the prime running back as Sam Bradford runs the offense for Jeff fisher after the departure of Steven Jackson. Woodhead is an interesting player to watch, especially because of where he now plays.
Woodhead was in a crowded backfield with the Patriots and now he has the chance to shine in San Diego. Quarterback Philip Rivers will use the running back position to throw passes and Woodhead is excellent out of the backfield and with Ryan Mathews being injury prone, Woodhead may even get a few starts this season. CJ Spiller should put up some fantastic numbers again after last season while David Wilson is another breakout candidate after just getting 75 carries last season. He will share the load with Andre Brown and he could put up great numbers in that offense.
At wideout this season, Vincent Brown is an interesting sleeper option now that Danario Alexander is out for the year. Malcom Floyd injured his knee in practice and now Brown could bust out as a prime sleeper for Rivers and company. Alshon Jeffery is a name that has come up a lot as well since Brandon Marshall has been the only wideout for the Bears to do any damage last season and now he may step into that void. All these players are good bets for the 2013 season.