The 2014 fantasy football season is here and heading into drafts some late pickups and free agent options include Markus Wheaton, Jarrett Boykin, Devonta Freeman, Carlos Hyde, Derek Carr and Cody Latimer as potential sleepers and with the schedule beginning on Thursday for Week 1, some of these names could end up as solid starters for the season.
Wheaton, Freeman and Jarrett Boykin have been looked at as strong sleeper options this year, while Carlos Hyde is also a rookie to look at with the 49ers. Latimer now is a solid pickup after Wes Welker was suspended and he could end up as the best sleeper of the bunch due to that development, at least over the next four weeks. Freeman has the chance to step up with the way Steven Jackson has dealt with injuries, while Boykin has Aaron Rodgers as the one of top quarterbacks in the lead and could be a strong late flier option.
For teams starving for a quarterback, Derek Carr is a name to keep an eye on, as he is getting the start in Week 1 for the Raiders and he has a solid matchup with the Jets. NY usually has a strong secondary, but Dee Milliner is out with an injury and the Jets are down to the scrap heap for the moment and that could give Carr a chance to shine. The team added James Jones to the mix in free agency along with Maurice Jones-Drew and that should help open up the offense this year. If Carr plays well he could end up keeping the job even when Matt Schaub is ready to return.
Wheaton was reportedly very impressive in training camp this year and with Emmanuel Sanders leaving last year and Mike Wallace already gone, he has the chance to step up and be a solid number two or three option. Wheaton has been compared to Wallace before and he could become a new favorite target with Ben Roethlisberger and he comes in after playing in limited time last season. Wheaton had just six catches for 64 yards, but he is expected to be a starter this year and in the preseason he played 111 snaps with the first team offense.
Terrance West is another player to check out late in drafts or on the free agent market, as he was massively productive in college and should be splitting time with Ben Tate. West rushed for over 2000 yards and 40 TDs with Towson and now he could be a major sleeper. Boykin is locked in as the number three receiver with the Packers and he is coming off of a solid season with 49 catches for 681 yards after coming in while Randall Cobb was injured. Freeman has the size and speed to make an impact in Atlanta and he could split time as the backup to Jackson.
Alfred Blue is another name to keep an eye on and he comes in with the Houston Texans and could be an impact player in deep leagues. Arian Foster has dealt with injury issues in his entire career and after Ben Tate left to the Browns, Blue could be the one to step up if he gets injured again. Hyde has the chance to be an impact rooke after rushing for 1500 yards last season and he is a tough runner coming out of Ohio State and the Big Ten.
