It’s all too tempting for owners to complete their fantasy football drafts then hibernate until the start of the season. For these particular owners, the season is already in jeopardy as injuries, role changes, and late signings are bound to alter rosters.
For everyone else, it’s an opportunity to snatch off of waivers those unheralded players who are owned in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Randall Cobb (WR; Green Bay Packers, 43 percent owned)
The general consensus is there are too many wide receivers on Green Bay to feel good about Cobb. However, consider this – after Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings, who has the most upside? After five years in the league we have seen the best of James Jones and 37-year-old wide receivers (Donald Driver) tend to fade quickly. As reported by Yahoo! Sports, Cobb has looked much more comfortable working with Aaron Rodgers this preseason. He has all the tools to be a big play receiver.
Danny Amendola (WR; St. Louis Rams, 39 percent owned)
How quickly we forget. In 2010, Danny Amendola was the favorite target of quarterback Sam Bradford hauling in 85 passes for 689 yards. His 2011 ended with an elbow injury during the first game of the season. After some offseason angst surrounding contract issues, Amendola is back and has impressed in preseason. He is a strong add in PPR leagues and an excellent addition for owners where leagues reward for return yards.
Isaiah Pead (RB; St. Louis Rams, 18 percent owned)
It can only be assumed that Pead is being ignored by fantasy owners as a result of his awful preseason rushing the ball. That’s a big mistake. Pead is the unquestioned number two running back in St. Louis behind 29-year-old veteran Steven Jackson. Pead averaged greater than six yards per carry during his college career in Cincinnati and has solid hands.
Robert Turbin (RB; Seattle Seahawks, 11 percent owned)
Marshawn Lynch may very well be the starting running back in Seatlle but it seems only a matter of time until something gives. Lynch has been bothered by a bad back, has had a bevy of legal issues, and is still a consideration for disciplinary action from the league. Meanwhile Turbin (Utah St.) was a standout in college who ran for 1,517 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2011. He has impressed during the preseason and should be ‘handcuffed’ by owners of Lynch.
John Skelton (QB; Arizona Cardinals, 5 percent owned)
No, we aren’t looking for miracles from Skelton but five percent owned in Yahoo! Fantasy Football leagues? Sure there is a chance that he eventually loses the QB job to Kevin Kolb but he is throwing the ball to Larry Fitzgerald and sleeper Andre Roberts. That has to be worth something. Besides, does anyone really believe his upside is less than that of Mark Sanchez or Matt Cassel?
