For fantasy football owners in deep leagues and 12-team leagues this year, names like John Brown, Kelvin Benjamin, Sammy Watkins, Jordan Matthews, Ladarius Green, Carlos Hyde and Alfred Blue are solid sleeper options and picking some of those players couple be good advice for owners looking for value in the last rounds and also on the free agent market ahead of Week 1 this season.
Receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Sammy Watkins have name recognition coming into the league as rookies, but they have been slipping in some drafts and they are names that could be valuable. Watkins comes out of the preseason a bit banged up, but he has the talent to put up big numbers, while Benjamin is basically helping to replace the entire WR group in Carolina. Green is looking to take over for Antonio Gates as the big TE for the Chargers, while Jordan Matthews should be well suited to join the offense of Chip Kelly in Philadelphia.
Last season Matthews had over 110 catches and 1000 yards while playing at Vanderbilt and he did that with most defenses knowing that he would be the main guy catching the ball. John Brown has been looked at as a major sleeper with the Cardinals and they have high hopes for him after he was drafted out of Pittsburg State. Brown put up great numbers in college and he had 61 receptions for 1,216 yards and 12 touchdowns a few years ago and is coming off of a year with 61 catches for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Brown has the speed to excel alongside Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald and he could be a major sleeper for the Cards. Alfred Blue could be a factor if Arian Foster goes down, as he is there on the depth chart and he comes in after putting up some solid stats with Louisiana State, rushing for over 340 yards last season. Foster has had injury issues in the past and the Texans have shown that they like Blue after making other cuts this preseason from the position. Carlos Hyde also could be a strong option with the Niners.
Last season Watkins was one of the best wide receivers in the country and he also can be a sleeper since he makes an impact on special teams. Watkins had 101 catches last season for 1464 yards and 12 touchdowns and that matched his career high in TDs and he ended his college career with 27 touchdowns and nearly 3400 yards receiving. Benjamin is a huge target and he needs to step up as a main option for Cam Newton after the team allowed Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell to leave. Last season Benjamin had 15 touchdowns and went for 1011 yards while averaging 15 yards per catch and he will be expected to be a playmaker in 2014.
Alfred Blue is a very deep league option, but he could be a strong handcuff for Foster, as he is coming off of a season where he missed time and he is considered to be injury prone. Last season Green was a disappointment with just 17 catches for 376 yards and three touchdowns and this season he expected to be a factor much more on offense. Philip Rivers is coming off of a strong year and this gives Green the chance to step up.
