After a late start due to lightning, the 2013 NFL season finally kicked off last night with the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos. However, if you had a full stomach and work tomorrow, then you probably didn’t make it past halftime. If Peyton Manning is your quarterback, you most likely woke up to a week 1 victory. Manning exploded for 462 passing yards and a record tying 7 TD’s. As you may have expected, receivers Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker had huge games. But, what you probably did not expect, is a former basketball player named Julius Thomas to catch 5 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Thomas, a 2011 4th round pick, has had a chance to earn a significant role at the TE position with injures to both Jacob Tamme and Joel Dressen. Every year players, like Thomas, emerge and put up big numbers. Although many are not able to do this consistently throughout the year, being able to plug these players in from time to time when they have a great matchup or are filling in for an injury can have a huge impact on your season. Players currently serving suspensions or with short term injuries are good to snag if you have an extra bench spot. If you have an IR spot, use it on a free agent who is currently out. You can always drop that player and move someone from your roster to your IR spot later in the year if needed. To make sure you have depth down the stretch, its important to find players early. The available free agents, especially in deeper leagues, can be full of guys you’ve never heard of before. Here are some players that are owned in less than 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues broken down by position.
Running Backs
Bilal Powell – Powell is currently listed as the starting running back for week 1 against Tampa Bay. Projected starter Chris Ivory was bothered by a hamstring injury during the preseason, giving Powell an opportunity to start the 2013 season. Although Ivory will probably take over the starting job eventually, Powell should stick as the third down back. Considering the Jets quarterback situation, look for them to run the football early. However, they may be forced to throw the ball more than they like if they are playing catch up. Powell is currently owned in 32% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Danny Woodhead – The former Patriot may have a bigger fantasy impact now that he signed in San Diego. Current starter Ryan Mathews had an unbelievably disappointing 2012 season. Mathews, who battled injuries, only had 1 touchdown last year and failed to eclipse the 100 yard mark in any game. Ronnie Brown is still in the mix, but Woodhead should receive his share of opportunities and could be effective in a PPR league. I would not predict anything consistently, but Woodhead should have good games from time to time. Woodhead is owned in 20% of ESPN leagues.
Ryan Williams – Owned in only 2.5% of ESPN leagues, the former 2nd round pick may get more work than originally anticipated. Fortunately for the injury plagued running back, new starter Rashard Mendenhall is in the same boat. Mendenhall is dealing with a knee injury but hopes to start in week 1. Ryan Williams could get a chance to prove himself early if Mendenhall misses any time. If Williams can stay healthy, its possible he could take over as the top back for the Cardinals.
Wide Receivers
Justin Blackmon – Currently serving a four game suspension, Blackmon is owned in 37.5% of ESPN leagues. Coming off a decent rookie year of 64 catches for 865 yards and 5 touchdowns, the 2nd year receiver will hopefully build off of a solid finish in 2012 where he caught 6 or more passes in each of his last four games. Blackmon has a lot of room for improvement in his game, but if you have a spot free for a chance on a player, its not a terrible option.
Marlon Brown – Owned in only 0.8% of ESPN leagues, the UDFA receiver for Baltimore caught 4 passes for 65 yards and a TD. Brown filled in at the No. 2 receiver spot for Jacoby Jones who was injured while receiving a punt due to collision with a teammate. The severity of Jones’ injury is unknown, but it does seem Jones will miss some time. With no other real threats on the roster at receiver, Brown should get a chance to show what he can do. Hopefully he is able to build off of a good preseason and an exceptional week 1 performance.
Stephen Hill – After an injury filled rookie season, the second year 6’4″ receiver should receive plenty of looks this year, especially with Holmes battling injuries. Being able to run a 4.36 4o-yard dash combined with his height, Hill has all the physical skills you’d want in a receiver. However, Hill will be catching passes from rookie QB Geno Smith, who has not had a good preseason. If Hill is able to do anything this year, it probably won’t be for awhile as Hill and Smith hope to build a connection as the season progresses. But being that the Jets will probably not be in playoff contention, they have no reason not to give Hill every opportunity to show what he is capable of this season. Hill is owned in only 1% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Mohamed Sanu – The Bengals have been looking for someone to step up in the receiving game to go along with star receiver A.J. Green. Sanu is capable of being that player and showed that briefly last year before a foot injury. At 6’2″, Sanu is a red zone threat with good size and hands. The second year receiver could emerge to put up decent numbers this season and be an occasional starter if needed. Sanu is currently owned in just 3% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Aaron Dobson – Tom Brady will have some news faces to throw to this year including two rookie receivers who should get plenty of looks. Unfortunately for Dobson owners, fellow rookie Kenbrell Thompkins seems to have initially won the available starting spot. However, with great size and skills, Dobson will still get targets. Dobson will probably have most of his fantasy impact as the season progresses, however, you will need to grab him now if you want a chance for a payoff later as it will only take one decent game for people to snatch him off waivers. Aaron Dobson is currently owned in about 8% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Tight Ends
Julius Thomas – I’m sure by now you’ve heard of this guy, unless you skipped the top of this post and haven’t watched tv or listened to sports radio after 9:00 p.m. yesterday. Thomas blew up for a huge game Thursday night with 5 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas has taken advantage of injury slowed fellow tight ends Jacob Tamme and Joel Dressen to grab the top TE spot for the Broncos. Manning has plenty of options to throw to this year, but with Thomas’ size and speed, I’d expect him to have a solid year and be a viable starter for your fantasy team. Although, don’t be surprised if there are weeks where he doesn’t have any impact with so many options in Denver. Just ask Eric Decker owners. Julius Thomas is currently owned in 31% of ESPN leagues. Expect that number to drastically change.
Tyler Eifert – Owned in 12% of ESPN fantasy leagues, the rookie first round pick is currently the #2 TE behind Jermaine Gresham. Expect Eifert to still get plenty of playing time. Eifert had a wrist injury and missed time in the preseason but is expected to be ready for week 1. I’d expect to see both TE’s on the field at the same time as the Bengals didn’t spend a first round pick on a guy to sit on the bench.
Brent Celek – No one knows exactly how Chip Kelly’s offense will work in the NFL, but one thing for certain is that you should expect plenty of snaps. With the injury to WR Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles will need to find other guys to make plays and move the chains. Celek should get more targets than in years past and could be a solid fantasy TE that can contribute. Celek is currently owned in about 12% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Again, most of these players probably will not turn into every week starters for you during this season. Having depth for injuries or bad matchups, especially in deeper leagues, can make or break your season. Finding these guys early will have a huge impact, and may even help you pull off a trade or two. You never want to get rid of solid players on your bench for a guy with a small chance of performing, but if your loaded in a position or have an extra spot, these guys may be worth a shot.
Look for our first podcast of the season Saturday night for some fantasy football updates!