10 Fantasy Studs Buried on a Deep Roster

A couple years ago it was Sidney Rice and Miles Austin. Guys that clearly had the ability to make some noise at the NFL level were either hurt or stuck behind players with bigger names.

Last season it was guys like Peyton Hillis, Arian Foster, and Brandon Lloyd. These are guys that really came out of nowhere. You can even throw Danny Woodhead into the mix.

The fact is, even the guys at the end of the bench sometimes have the goods to be major players in the NFL (and fantasy football). They just need that chance. An injury, a changed role, and simply the backing of their team. Unfortunately, not all the guys with the ability to take the next step get that chance all the time.

Here’s a look at 10 guys that could really do something special in 2011 if their team’s roster took a major hit and they found themselves looking at serious playing time:

Note: Rookies are not included in this list, as the lockout has the majority of them already starting low on the depth chart.

Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay Packers

Flynn doesn’t look like much at first glance, but he’s a poised leader that can execute game-plans and work within his team’s offense. We only saw him work his magic once, but it was to the tune to 251 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow loss to the New England Patriots in 2010. He’s stuck in thick mud behind fantasy stud Aaron Rodgers, but if A-Rod ever goes down, he could prove to be a valuable fantasy option.

Joe McKnight, RB, New York Jets

There’s no strict evidence that McKnight is a feature back in the making, but if one games tells us anything, it’s that McKnight surely has the potential to be just that for the Jets down the road. McKnight made the most out of his only major opportunity of the season, toting the ball a whopping 32 times for an impressive 158 yards rushing. He even added 15 yards off of two receptions during his huge day, where he boasted 4.9 yards per carry.

It was only one game and it was against the Buffalo Bills in a meaningless game, but that type of work-horse effort should never go unnoticed. If Shonn Green fails to live up to the expectations for the third year in a row, look out for the underrated McKnight.

Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Choice has flashed brilliance numerous times, but simply has been stuck behind a guy who is too slow (Marion Barber) and a guy who hasn’t found a way to put it all together (Felix Jones).

Choice has exhibited starter talent and versatility over the course of his first three seasons, despite working from an offense that never fully committed to the ground game. With Barber likely done in Dallas and Jones on his last leg as the starter, Choice could finally be looking at a break-out season if he ever gets a real shot.

Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots

If it weren’t for Wes Welker’s gutsy comeback and Edelman’s own injury issues in 2010, we might be talking about this guy as the new slot demon of the league. Unfortunately, Edelman’s growth in New England’s offense was stunted, and we once again have to look at him as one of those talented receivers that just doesn’t have a clear role.

Edelman saw major action in 2009 when Welker missed time with injuries, and easily showed that he has the speed and quickness to be a nightmare in the Patriots’ offense. In the Week 17 finale of 2009, Edelman recorded 10 receptions for 103 yards, and then hauled in six catches for two scores in New England’s first-round playoff loss the next week.

We’re still going off of production from 2009, but the talent is there if the right role ever presents itself again.

Jerome Simpson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

No one really knows what the future holds for Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, or even Cedric Benson. So, too, is Simpson’s future unclear.

While he may still be buried on the depth chart for the moment, there is little doubt that he has the talent to make a big leap for the Bengals in 2011 if given the opportunity.

The 2008 second-round pick didn’t register a single catch until Week 15 of 2010, but still found a way to rack up 20 catches, 277 yards, and three touchdowns over the final three weeks. It could be a fluke stretch, but if it’s not, the Bengals could be looking at their new stud receiver after Ochocinco departs.

Jacoby Ford, WR, Oakland Raiders

While his routes and hands are still suspect, Ford still impressed with two explosive 100+ yard games as a rookie in 2010, while also shining brightly in the return game. If his offensive role increases and he can get more consistent, he could be just what the Raiders passing game has been looking for.

Seyi Ajirotutu, WR, San Diego Chargers

His break-out 111 yard and two-touchdown performance in 2010 came against the awful Houston Texans pass defense, but you still can’t ignore the potential Ajirotutu possesses.

With outstanding size and ball skills, he’s quite possibly only a Malcom Floyd and/or Vincent Jackson departure away from realizing his potential in San Diego’s explosive passing attack.

Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Gonzalez is a forgotten man after multiple injuries stole any possible production over the past two seasons. Still a speedy receiver who has shown promise in the past, Gonzalez is clearly deeply buried behind Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, and might not even have the leg-up on Blair White anymore. A change of scenery could have people once again seeing the talent that had Gonzalez being selected in the first round, however.

Fred Davis, TE, Washington Redskins

Davis was only so-so as Chris Cooley’s back-up in 2010, but it’s his 2009 numbers that still have people talking about his potential as a starter.

Davis took over in 2009 after Cooley went down with a leg injury, and at one point had a stretch where he scored five touchdowns in four games. He has great size and speed for the position, and simply needs the right role to emerge as a top-flight tight end. Unfortunately, as long as Cooley is in Washington, it seems that role won’t be with the Redskins.

Tony Scheffler, TE, Detroit Lions

Scheffler went to Detroit in a trade before the 2010 season, and flashed the same athletic pass-catching ability he did in Denver. Unfortunately, second-year tight end Brandon Pettigrew remained healthy for the entire season (unlike his rookie year) and caught over 70 balls for over 700 yards.

Scheffler has the hands and athleticism to be an elite tight end in the right offense, but will continue to play second fiddle in Detroit as long as Pettigrew stays healthy and produces.

Honorable Mentions: Ramses Barden, Emmanuel Sanders, Zach Miller (Jaguars), Tyler Thigpen, Ben Tate, Anthony Dixon, Justin Forsett