Favorite Fliers
I recently read somewhere that 23 million people play fantasy football. Unreal. But how many of them actually know who Kareem Huggins is?
As our final exams approach, it’s time to update the flier list. By flier, I mean guys I’m taking after my starters/quality depth and before my kicker/defense. In an 16-round league, it’s Rounds 11 through 14 or so. Four stabs to hit the jackpot and get a major piece for your squad.
Of course, I’m looking solely for upside here. I don’t want a scrub that can just “get me by” during a bye week. I want a guy that has the potential to be a stud so I can confidently use him in my starting lineup or as trade bait at some point down the line.
Editor's Note: To see where the fliers rank this season, check out the 2010 Rotoworld Draft Guide!
Before we get to the list, let’s be clear on a few guys. Johnny Knox is no longer a flier. If you want him and you’re in a competent league, you better take him in Round 7 or 8. Same goes for Arian Foster, but I’m taking him in Round 6 to be safe. I also think word is out on Malcom Floyd. And after the latest Sidney Rice news, Bernard Berrian shouldn’t be considered a flier.
I’m also not listing any true handcuffs like Willis McGahee, Toby Gerhart or Kevin Smith. If I get the Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson or Jahvid Best, I’ll use a flier-range pick on these guys.
There are also some fliers I’ve liked earlier that are now off my list. Those guys include Golden Tate, who apparently can’t learn the playbook, and Kenny Britt, who can’t get his head on straight. Demaryius Thomas is too far down on the depth chart, James Hardy is hurt again, Brandon LaFell hasn’t impressed and Josh Morgan will never see enough targets. Chaz Schilens is Mr. Glass and off the radar.
So, here are the guys I’m targeting as my fliers. There are no quarterbacks here because I‘m taking either Ben Roethlisberger or Matthew Stafford as my QB2 and that‘s that:
1. JACOBY JONES: Kevin Walter continues to keep his nose in front as the starter, but Jones is right there.
2. JABAR GAFFNEY: Locked in as a starter and looking like Kyle Orton’s favorite target. How does he have an ADP of 160?
3. KAREEM HUGGINS: He’s up to No. 2 on the Bucs’ depth chart, ahead of Derrick Ward. With Cadillac Williams still a major injury risk, Huggins should be drafted in all leagues at this point.
4. JAMES JONES: This one has lost a lot of luster with Donald Driver looking healthy and Jordy Nelson creating buzz. Still, there's too much talent/potential here to pass up.
5. MIKE WILLIAMS (TB): The rookie has drawn praise from everyone under the sun. Strong bet to lead the Bucs in receiving yards.
6. EARLY DOUCET: A minor abdominal injury has halted momentum here, but no one should forget how he played in last year’s playoffs.
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7. LEGEDU NAANEE: He’s the clear No. 2 receiver in San Diego and is dropping jaws with his raw skills. Tons of upside here.
8. OWEN DANIELS: Coming off ACL surgery, he’s hoping to be cleared as soon as this week. He’s a beast when healthy and is worth a stash as well if there’s roster space.
9. MIKE THOMAS: He’s locked up the No. 2 job, although it’s hard to see the Jags’ passing game supporting both Thomas and Mike Sims-Walker.
10. BERNARD SCOTT: I'd consider him even if I didn’t own Cedric Benson (which I won’t). Scott is a playmaker that the Bengals need to use more than sparingly.
11. MARSHAWN LYNCH: He’s third on the Bills’ depth chart, but he’s still only 24 and has two 1,000 yard seasons. under his belt. A decent stash-and-see candidate for deep leaguers.
12. MARCEDES LEWIS: As Zach Miller (Jax) continues to sit out, Lewis has been the star of Jags’ camp. This is for extreme deep leaguers.
Editor's Note: For constantly updating rankings, projections, cheatsheets, tiers and more, get the 2010 Draft Guide!
Comments
Are these ranked in any specific order? Thanks
Posted by: Jason | August 24, 2010 12:53 PM
I picked up Huggins a number of days ago to handcuff Williams due to the blurbs you guys were already putting out on him. I imagine the Ward owner in our 20-team league is pulling his hair out by now...
Posted by: Arbee | August 24, 2010 1:19 PM
1a. with KC owning a very soft run schedule, weiss controlling the O, bowe on target and two better than average RB's to support him, im wondering if you consider Matt Cassel a worthy QB2 flyer.
1b. also, who gets the welker role in KC, and do they warrant any attention?
2. martz doesnt use TE's but it seems greg olsen is getting passes thrown his way. is he being used like dallas clark? is 3/4 catches a game obtainable for olsen?
3. how serious should tony scheffler be considered. 40 catches? 60? because i dont think nate burelson has 60 catches in him and CJ will still get x2 coverage on him.
Posted by: ][][.../""""3L | August 24, 2010 1:59 PM
Thanks for going out of you're way to state you will have no parts of Cedric Benson on your team. It shows the illogical thought process used by all the writers on the Rotoworld staff.
Thomas Jones is not even an average RB if you read this website. Ill enjoy another year of winning with the strategy of picking everyone Rotoworld hates. Its done me well so far.
Posted by: Carl Hess | August 24, 2010 2:07 PM
Carl Hess is a bamma. enjoy your geriatric, out-dated workhorse RBs with their 2 yards and a cloud of dust.
Posted by: Dustin C | August 24, 2010 2:13 PM
Carl, I think the point is that those are the kinds of players Rotoworld staff and readers wouldn't draft considering WHERE they would have to draft them.
I'll certainly take Benson on my team...but not considering I'll have to take him in the first or early second round. I'd much rather have a top WR.
Posted by: Mike | August 24, 2010 2:24 PM
Would you drop Darren sproles to pick up huggins at this point?
Posted by: bill | August 24, 2010 2:35 PM