The Fantasy Football 2014 season is here and in Week 1 some waiver wire free agents to pick up heading into the year include names like Travis Kelce, Cody Latimer, John Brown, Ronnie Hillman, Jacquizz Rodgers, Alfred Blue, Terrance West, Kelvin Benjamin, Charles Clay, Dwayne Allen, Tavon Austin and Carlos Hyde among many others.
Kelce is getting attention as one of the top sleeper options at tight end and he could be a better option over a high pick like Eric Ebron, as he is in an offense geared towards getting him the ball on certain downs. Charles Clay and Dwayne Allen are solid tight end pick ups heading into the first week of the season, while Kelvin Benjamin, Cody Latimer and John Brown all could be rookie surprises at WR. Terrance West is getting attention with the Browns, while Alfred Blue could be a great handcuff option for Arian Foster if he gets injured this season. Rodgers likely will have some opportunities as well since Steven Jackson is coming into the season banged up again.
The Chiefs have Dwayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles, but they are a bit weak at wide receiver and that is why Kelce could be a good option. Kelce comes into the season as the top tight end with Anthony Fasano and he had 45 catches for 722 yards in 2012 with Cincinnati. Kelce is athletic and at 6-5, 260 pounds, he can over power linebackers and he should be a weapon across the middle. The Chiefs also have Donnie Avery and AJ Jenkins and Kelce could be in the mix as a deep tight end and he should also line up at WR on plays this season. Bowe is out for Week 1 and that could make Kelce a surprise sleeper for the Chiefs.
John Brown is a deep sleeper and not many people know his name, but he could be a strong third option behind Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd in Arizona. The Cardinals will be throwing the ball a ton and Carson Palmer comes in after putting up a career high amount of passing yards. Brown has speed and as a rookie he could be a solid fourth WR option for fantasy owners.
Cody Latimer is another strong pickup and this comes after Wes Welker was suspended by the league for four games. Latimer should be able to line up right where Welker was in the offense and as a rookie he is coming in after playing at Indiana, where he set marks at WR. The Big Ten school is not known for its wideouts, but he had a very good season last year and had over 70 catches and 1000 yards. Emmanuel Sanders also will get a bump along with Andre Caldwell for Peyton Manning for the first four weeks.
Rodgers is the backup for Steven Jackson in Atlanta and along with Devonta Freeman the team should have a deep group of RBs. Rodgers is a solid pickup in PPR leagues and he is a threat out of the backfield. West and Ben Tate are going to split time in Cleveland and while he is a rookie, he has the potential to be a huge weapon after rushing for 2500 yards and 41 touchdowns in college last season. Kelvin Benjamin had over 1000 yards at Florida State last season and now he steps in for Cam Newton with Brandon LaFell and Steve Smith gone.