Summer Sleepers: Rank and File

George Kritikos Posted On August 29, 2014

rankandfile

Being a new writer here at DLF, I have not only been writing, but reading through the archives incessantly. If you are like me, then the Summer Sleeper series has been a great set of reads highlighting a combination of some forgotten talents and a few depth chart gems who may have slipped under even the keenest of radars.

A few commenters brought up the idea of ranking these players and while I am all for coming up with a summary, I am too proud of my fellow writers to do them the disservice of trying to simplify all their brilliant work in one article. So if you haven’t read up on a player listed below, I highly recommend finding the corresponding article to get a truly in-depth analysis. What I will be doing, instead, is using the list of players and coming up with a personal ranking including tiers that indicate the likelihood of success.

Tier 1: Future Starters

These are players I believe have the upside to be future starters for your dynasty team.

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1) Travis Kelce, TE KC – He is a freakish athlete who is showing off his skills this preseason. The combination of Alex Smith’s short field accuracy and a scheme that favors the tight end position makes Kelce a player with top five upside.

2) Geno Smith, QB NYJ – If you read my quarterback series, you know I am high on Smith. Accurate in college, great scrambling ability and an offense that added Jace Amaro and Eric Decker could push him into QB2 territory this year.

3) Latavius Murray, RB OAK – Another player I highlighted in my series (this time for running backs) Murray has the size/speed combo that could elevate him quickly. Oakland’s offense is young and Derek Carr shows early signs of being a solid NFL quarterback. He could become a top 20 running back in the next two-to-three years.

4) Lance Dunbar, RB DAL – Scott Linehan. Not enough to convince you? Consider the Detroit use of multiple running backs last year and the reluctance of the Dallas coaching staff to play Dunbar this preseason in an effort to hide his role in the offense. He could be a flex play as early as this year.

5) Roy Helu Jr., RB WAS – Alfred Morris cannot catch a football. Helu has shown he can. Jay Gruden will find a place for him much like he did in Cincinnati last year with Giovani Bernard. Helu is not quite that talented, but as a PPR flex option this year? I can see that.

6) James White, RB NE – Don’t let his ineffective preseason deter you, White has gained the confidence of a notoriously difficult New England coaching staff. With Stevan Ridley fumbling his way to the roster bubble, White has a clear path to part-time work. Expect White to be Vereen’s counterpart in the backfield with flex appeal.

7) Charles Sims, RB TB – A player who I am extremely high on, Sims seemed poised to take passing downs from incumbent Doug Martin. Unfortunately, injury struck and this year may be a lost one for the rookie back. Also, he will be 25 by the time the 2015 season starts so that is a minor concern. He profiles as a 50+ catch guy and could eventually be a backend RB2 in PPR leagues.

8) Josh Huff, WR PHI – Huff is the definition of an average receiver going 5’11” and running a 4.51 40-yard dash. He knows how to use those skills and knows Chip Kelly’s offense. With Jeremy Maclin on a prove-it deal and Riley Cooper an uninspiring option, Huff could slot into the second receiver role in short order.

Tier 2: Bye Week Fill-ins

These are the players you can start in a pinch when another player goes down on your team or bye weeks ravage your depth chart.

9) Dexter McCluster, RB TEN – Just turning 26, McCluster has carved out a role as a receiving back in a passing dominated NFL. Is it so crazy to think that he could have a Darren Sproles or Danny Woodhead type of year soon? He is worth putting on your bench and finding out.

10) LaGarrette Blount, RB PIT – Le’Veon Bell has yet to show me anything that has established him as a top running back – that gives Blount an opportunity to carve out a role as a complementary back and maybe even get goal line duties. That’s his upside and it is enough to replace your top backs on bye week.

11) John Brown, WR ARI – When you run as fast (4.34) as John Brown, there is always a spot on an NFL team. With Larry Fitzgerald aging right before our eyes, Brown’s preseason magic may be positioning him to take over the second receiver spot opposite Michael Floyd. Don’t expect him to replicate Fitzgerald’s career but Brown could be a sneaky flex play for many years.

12) Theo Riddick, RB DET – If you are looking for help today, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a player capable of becoming an option on a high volume offense, now you get it. Riddick is sitting third on the depth chart now but Reggie Bush is closing in on the magical age of 30. The Lions think Riddick is his replacement, so should you.

13) Bruce Ellington, WR SF – I start by imploring you to be patient. Ellington will not see much action for the next 1-2 years behind a sea of veteran receivers, but that will thin out. The conservative offense though keeps Ellington away from starting status on your fantasy squad.

14) Jerricho Cotchery, WR CAR – The Carolina Panthers have made it clear – someone has to catch the ball! Why not Cotchery? He has the most experience, reliable hands and is a sharp route runner. You could do worse when faced with a glut of bye weeks on your roster.

15) Andrew Hawkins, WR CLE – He was not productive in college and is tiny (5’7”), so why is he this high? Hawkins has the chance to contribute today and that is worth something. Add that to his sticky hands and complete lack of competition and you have yourself a guy capable to racking up the receptions. Buy low and use sparingly.

16) Marquess Wilson, WR CHI – A broken collarbone sidelined an otherwise promising second year for Wilson, but there is still upside here. He has the size (6’3”) Marc Trestman likes, but with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffrey in front of him for the foreseeable future, when is his time?

17) Jarrett Boykin, WR GB – Boykin receives a slot in this tier more for his opportunity than his ability. Slow (4.62 40-yard dash) receivers who underwhelmed in college tend to struggle in the NFL. He will flash an occasional playable game, but that’s a product of the Green Bay offense. He instantly drops off this tier if he leaves the team.

Tier 3: Looking Deep

You are filling out your roster with these players and only go to this well when few options remain.

18) DeVier Posey, WR HOU – He has that combination of size (6’2”) and speed (4.39) I like to see. Andre Johnson is not long for Houston and DeAndre Hopkins could use a running mate. Posey is slotted here until we get better clarity on that quarterback picture, but make no mistake, he could rise quickly.

19) Mohamed Sanu, WR CIN – Sanu is getting a tryout with Marvin Jones sidelined for the first weeks of the season. That said, Cincinnati is pulling back the reins on the passing game and Sanu does not have the speed (4.62) to consistently separate. A better option for the Bengals than your fantasy team.

20) Jordan Todman, RB JAX – Masked behind a subpar preseason is a player with versatility and familiarity in the Jacksonville offense. Todman is not a large back (5’9”, 203 lbs) but has speed (4.4) and a solid college pedigree. He is the second running back behind an unproven Toby Gerhart, which is worth a stash on your bench in case things don’t work out.

21) Owen Daniels, TE BAL – Time isn’t on Daniels’ side, so this is a short-term bet. What we know is he can catch and that new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak loves the large personnel sets. For you deep leaguers, this can be a low-end second or decent third tight end option.

22) Marquise Goodwin, WR BUF – On a team with tall receivers, Goodwin stands out for the wrong reasons (he’s 5’9”). He also has speed (4.27) that stands out on any team, giving the Bills a unique weapon. Climbing out of the depth chart is the biggest concern with Goodwin, but he is the type of player who is a long-ball threat – this is the type of lottery ticket you put at the end of your bench.

23) Damien Williams, RB MIA – Not many 220 pound running backs can run a 4.45, so Williams has my attention. Add to that a great 2012 season at Oklahoma (2013 was shortened) and an uncertain Dolphins depth chart, Williams is an end-game grab who could earn some playing time down the road.

24) Nick Toon, WR NO – Toon has the talent to be higher on this list, but opportunity keeps him down. Kenny Stills and Brandin Cooks were drafted as the future of this wide receiver position, but Toon has all the attributes to succeed. He may be the best option to replace Marques Colston on this roster, so that alone is worth a last round flyer.

25) Stedman Bailey, WR STL – I am not Bailey’s biggest fan, but that situation is wide open. When you are trusting Kenny Britt to be a key piece in your offense, that tells me anyone has a chance. Bailey isn’t particularly fast (4.52) or tall (5’10”), but the man produced in college (25 touchdowns in 2012 at West Virginia) so he knows how to use his talents. A longshot roster spot who has potential? I’m willing to buy that.

26) Jarius Wright, WR MIN – Just squeaking onto the list, Wright has some positive attributes worth rostering. Namely, he can flat out run (4.39) and was productive at Arkansas (12 touchdowns his final year). Jerome Simpson seems like a minor issue and is likely gone after this year, giving Wright an opportunity to enter the slot role sooner than later.

Tier 4: Waiver Wire Warriors

This is the group where you use the “Watch” function to monitor these players. They won’t occupy a roster spot in many leagues, but they are those potential backups you wait and see with.

27) Dan Herron, RB IND – I believe Herron’s upside is opportunity-based. Having an ineffective running back in front of him and a lackluster depth chart, he could earn on opportunity based on a lack of options. Not much speed to speak of, Herron would be a player you could only play if he gets the volume.

28) Tevin Reese, WR SD – Big play ability is the name of the game with Reese. He has good wheels (4.46) and was a big playmaker at Baylor. I don’t like the muddled depth chart and number of options on the team. His upside is Robert Meachem, but this isn’t the Saints.

29) Larry Donnell, TE NYG – A lack of experience and mixed reviews keep Donnell from rising up the ranks. He is a big target who could start this year for the Giants, but the leash is short and the uncertainty is high.

30) Luke Willson, TE SEA – The Canadian has a lot of factors working against him. Seattle is a conservative offense that spreads the ball around. Willson is a tight end who has shown limited, but improving, receiving skills. He could become relevant if the offense opens up the playbook. Until then, let’s just sit back and see what happens.

31) Juwan Thompson, RB DEN – This is a deep running back depth chart to navigate, which makes it hard for Thompson to stand out. Thompson is a versatile player with a keen understanding of the game coming from playing both sides of the ball. I’m just not sure if he can carve out a role though on this team. It may take a roster shakeup or a new team to give him value.

32) Bernard Reedy, WR ATL – Another player fighting to make an impression on a position of strength. Reedy would be no better than a fifth receiver on this team, fourth if you don’t count Devin Hester (I don’t). He is blessed with top line speed (4.39) and has shown an ability to breakdown a defense. Reedy could be cut soon but if he makes the team, it is still a tough battle for playing time.

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