Endgame Players You Should Have Drafted
By Rishi Daulat, Contributing Writer to EA SPORTS Fantasy Football
Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals - It says a lot about a player when he is given absolutely no shot to win the starting job during the offseason and then out of the blue, he's the team's week one starter. That's precisely the case with Warner. Warner was a man on a mission in the preseason beating out young hotshot Matt Leinart partly because of Leinart's inconsistency but mostly because of his own solid performance. We've all seen what Warner can do with playmakers around him, and this year will be no different with the top receiving tandem in the league at his disposal as well as perennial pro-bowler Edgerrin James in the backfield. Health will always be an issue at this stage of his career, and he'll lose more than his fair share of fumbles, but he's right outside the top-10 at the position at this point…not bad for a guy you could have drafted with a late round flier pick only a couple weeks ago.
Justin Gage, WR, Titans - Gage led the Titans in receiver last year hauling in 55 catches for 750 yards, and he was one of the hottest receivers in the entire NFL the second half of the year. Though not spectacular numbers, you certainly could do a lot worse with your last pick in the draft. In fact, there are many leagues where Gage wasn't even drafted. In 2008, Gage should benefit greatly from new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger and a more experienced and efficient Vince Young throwing the ball. Gage will also be moving back to his more natural #2 position this season after the acquisition of Justin McCareins, and that should lead to a higher comfort level in the offensive scheme. Gage could easily emerge as a late round sleeper pick who turns into a reliable every week WR3 for a lot of teams.
Steve Slaton, RB, Texans - During the preseason, Slaton displayed the speed and quickness that made him such a stud at West Virginia. As of right now Slaton has as good a chance as anyone to run away with the starting job in Houston since no other back on the roster has proven they can be counted on as a reliable starter. The coaching staff has indicated they will be incorporating Slaton's skills into the offensive gameplan regardless of who is anointed the starter in the backfield. While there are still a lot of questions to answer in the Texans backfield, spending your final pick on a high upside back with only Ahman Green standing in his way would have made a lot of sense.
JaMarcus Russell, QB, Oakland Raiders - Russell has looked comfortable at the helm of the Oakland offense during the preseason and the cannon-armed quarterback might actually make the Raiders relevant again. With a year to learn the offense, and a running game featuring an improving offensive line and rookie Darren McFadden, the Raiders are actually showing signs of improving their anemic offense. Without a doubt, Russell is an unknown commodity but if you were looking for a second QB with upside, it would have been well worth your final pick in the draft to see if he turns the corner and becomes one of the best young quarterbacks in the league.
Devin Hester, WR, Bears - Yes, I know the Bears offense is a complete travesty but Hester is well worth taking a late round gamble on simply because he is the most explosive player in the league. Chicago will need someone to make plays for them and they seem committed to giving Hester every opportunity to succeed as a receiver. You can bet Coach Lovie Smith will be trying to get the ball into Hester's hands any way possible this year and a speculative late round pick in your draft might have paid big dividends. After all, Hester with the ball in his hands will be the Bears only chance at pulling off a victory.
Kevin Boss, TE, Giants - It's Boss's time to shine in New York and judging by the amount of passes that went Jeremy Shockey's way during his tumultuous tenure with the Giants, Boss will have a great opportunity to make an impact. In the few games he played, Boss proved to be a reliable target for Manning and the gifted pass receiver will likely see plenty of targets early on with the state of the banged up Giants receiving crew. He probably won't become an elite player at the tight end position this year, but a late round pick on a player with a ton of upside would have been worth a last pick gamble.
Author's Bio - Rishi Daulat
Contributing Writer - School of Journalism at the University Of Texas
Comments or Questions? Email us at fantasy@ea.com
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| 10/22 - Midseason League Drafts Begin |
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| 11/27 - Trade Deadline |
| 12/06 - Waiver Deadline |
