Every preseason I collect as many names of off-the-radar players as I can--guys who most people aren't talking about. Some of these players will go on to be streaming fantasy options. Others will become breakout stars.
Think about it: If you'd had the insight, the guts, and the roster space to take chances on Odell Beckham, Jr., Justin Forsett, and C.J. Anderson last preseason--combined with your regular elite and near-elite draft picks--you could have gone undefeated.
(Full disclosure: Last preseason I lacked the insight, guts, and roster space to grab any of those guys in the preseason.)
All four of the following guys have breakout potential. There are dozens more, but it's a good day to share a few thoughts:
(1) Kirk Cousins -- Earlier this summer I wrote about Washington's backup QB: "Cousins (consensus #44 QB) had four good games and two bad ones. I have no skin in the game, but it’s ridiculous that he’s ranked lower than Colt McCoy and was relegated to third-string status late last season. . . . In the right matchup, Cousins would be a solid streaming option if he were given another chance."
I still believe that, and with RGIII suffering a shoulder stinger and concussion in last night's preseason game, there's more reason than ever to keep Cousins on your radar. Sounds crazy now, but he has the personnel and the terrible defense to air it out plenty.
(2) Speaking of the Redskins, Leonard Hankerson joined offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in a move from Washington to Atlanta. Actually, Shanahan hand-picked Hankerson to join the Falcons. That's how much the OC thinks of this underrated wideout, who I increasingly believe will score more fantasy points than any other Falcon WR except Julio Jones. I believe he's currently just inside my top 50 WRs, with room to move up even more.
(3) Brandon Coleman is in a similar boat with Hankerson, and is ranked about the same on my draft board. Coleman is close to locking up New Orleans' #3 WR slot. As with the Falcons, the Saints have a #2 receiver (Marques Colston) who's past his prime and is posed to pass the torch to the next generation. Coleman has a great shot to be Brees' #2 WR target this season, and although we're looking at a more run-focused offense than we're used to seeing in New Orleans, there's still plenty of opportunity for a guy like Coleman to post Kenny Stills-like numbers.
(4) Charcandrick West. Who? He played great the other day in a preseason game, racking up 92 total yards, including 49 on the ground on six carries. Not that that matters; it's the preseason. Watched some video of him when he played at Abilene Christian University. Not that that matters; it's a small school.
But it does matter. He's playing at another level. He runs with heart. The videos show a guy who gets taken down, lands on his hand, and jumps back up to run for 20 more. They show a guy who requires three guys to drag him down. They show a guy who has a great one-step move to find the open seam.
He's doing everything he can to lock up the #3 RB job in Kansas City, and with Knile Davis nicked up, he could play his way into game situations as early as Week 1. Not urging everyone to run out and grab him. But am urging you to keep him on your radar. One or two more moves in the right direction, and he could be a Jamaal-Charles-fourth-quarter-breather away from collecting 25 yards and a score.
Think about it: If you'd had the insight, the guts, and the roster space to take chances on Odell Beckham, Jr., Justin Forsett, and C.J. Anderson last preseason--combined with your regular elite and near-elite draft picks--you could have gone undefeated.
(Full disclosure: Last preseason I lacked the insight, guts, and roster space to grab any of those guys in the preseason.)
All four of the following guys have breakout potential. There are dozens more, but it's a good day to share a few thoughts:
(1) Kirk Cousins -- Earlier this summer I wrote about Washington's backup QB: "Cousins (consensus #44 QB) had four good games and two bad ones. I have no skin in the game, but it’s ridiculous that he’s ranked lower than Colt McCoy and was relegated to third-string status late last season. . . . In the right matchup, Cousins would be a solid streaming option if he were given another chance."
I still believe that, and with RGIII suffering a shoulder stinger and concussion in last night's preseason game, there's more reason than ever to keep Cousins on your radar. Sounds crazy now, but he has the personnel and the terrible defense to air it out plenty.
(2) Speaking of the Redskins, Leonard Hankerson joined offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in a move from Washington to Atlanta. Actually, Shanahan hand-picked Hankerson to join the Falcons. That's how much the OC thinks of this underrated wideout, who I increasingly believe will score more fantasy points than any other Falcon WR except Julio Jones. I believe he's currently just inside my top 50 WRs, with room to move up even more.
(3) Brandon Coleman is in a similar boat with Hankerson, and is ranked about the same on my draft board. Coleman is close to locking up New Orleans' #3 WR slot. As with the Falcons, the Saints have a #2 receiver (Marques Colston) who's past his prime and is posed to pass the torch to the next generation. Coleman has a great shot to be Brees' #2 WR target this season, and although we're looking at a more run-focused offense than we're used to seeing in New Orleans, there's still plenty of opportunity for a guy like Coleman to post Kenny Stills-like numbers.
(4) Charcandrick West. Who? He played great the other day in a preseason game, racking up 92 total yards, including 49 on the ground on six carries. Not that that matters; it's the preseason. Watched some video of him when he played at Abilene Christian University. Not that that matters; it's a small school.
But it does matter. He's playing at another level. He runs with heart. The videos show a guy who gets taken down, lands on his hand, and jumps back up to run for 20 more. They show a guy who requires three guys to drag him down. They show a guy who has a great one-step move to find the open seam.
He's doing everything he can to lock up the #3 RB job in Kansas City, and with Knile Davis nicked up, he could play his way into game situations as early as Week 1. Not urging everyone to run out and grab him. But am urging you to keep him on your radar. One or two more moves in the right direction, and he could be a Jamaal-Charles-fourth-quarter-breather away from collecting 25 yards and a score.