The fantasy football season is basically here and the free agent market will have some great names after drafts are complete, as players like Tim Wright, Jeremy Maclin, Brandin Cooks, Carlos Hyde, Knowshon Moreno and Mark Ingram are some of the best pickups heading into the start of the 2014 schedule and they could put up top numbers for their teams and fantasy owners.
Tim Wright is a name that is getting a ton of attention and this comes after he was traded to the Patriots from the Buccaneers. The Patriots wanted to get another tight end to help in case Rob Gronkowski gets injured again and also to add an Aaron Hernandez type player to the mix, as the team did not really replace him last season for Tom Brady. Wright has shown great athleticism from the position and he also can be used split out like a wide receiver.
Wright is more of a pass catcher than a blocker and that is one reason why the Patriots acquired him and all Gronk owners should look at Wright as a solid handcuff option if they are worried about him. Wright had a solid season in 2103 and he made 54 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns and he could be a very solid option in deeper leagues. The Pats have said the deal for Wright has nothing to do with Gronk and if that's true, it doesn't change much, as Wright still will be used as a receiver and should be a solid TE2 on teams.
Wright is the top pick up in Yahoo leagues and he could be available in other leagues, but he is moving fast. Gronk missed time in each of the past two seasons and while he had 15 touchdowns over that time, he had 17 the last time he played a full schedule. The Pats are hoping he is back healthy and so are fantasy football owners.
Jeremy Maclin comes in after dealing with a tough injury last season and in some leagues he has slipped by in drafts and he is a solid pickup if he is available. Maclin comes in after playing in zero games last season after dealing with knee surgery and he was on his way to a breakout season after the way he played in 2012 and now he has the chance to pick back up. In 2012 he had 69 catches for 857 yards and seven scores and those were closed to his numbers from the previously year and he should be excellent in Chip Kelly's offense.
Brandin Cooks has been going in the 9th and 10th rounds of some drafts, but he also is slipping into the free agent market and he could be the top rookie of this class. Cooks is with the Saints and he should get tons of attention with his speed after catching over 120 balls in college last season. Carlos Hyde and Knowshon Moreno are two backs to keep an eye on, as they both could end up in feature roles with their teams.
There are plenty of great names on the free agent market and sleepers this year, keep it locked to find out more about the fantasy football season heading into the 2014 schedule.
