The biggest position is usually wide receivers due to the amount that will actually line up during a given game. Running backs is usually going to be due to an injury and it will usually be known well ahead of time, so I will usually consider breakthrough players for this position.
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| Let us hope that Alshon will do less standing around this year. |
Alshon Jeffrey, I am keeping my Bear offense crush going by going with the #2 receiver in the offense. Alshon is a big receiver that was a beast at South Carolina against the best DB's in the country. He came in last year a bit overweight and did not contribute too much, but there seems to be some buzz about him this year and he will get plenty of opportunities opposite Brandon Marshall facing the majority of the coverage and Martellus Bennett taking care of the middle of the field. Throw Matt Forte as another option and defenses are going to have a hard time covering everybody. Receivers tend to get it a bit more in their second year, so this is a guy that can be started in really deep leagues with 10 or 12 teams and 2 flex spots. If not, I would wait the first couple of weeks and see if he pans out.
DeAndre Hopkins, similar to much of what I said about Alshon, except this guy can really stretch the field. He has Andre Johnson on the opposite end and Owen Daniels keeping defenses busy. DeAndre is a rookie and is in an offense that stresses run over pass so he is a few steps behind Alshon in my opinion but worth a pickup if you have some veterans that you have already seen what they can do and their is no upside to them. You can always drop him after 3 games (wait at least 3 to see if he is improving or becoming bigger part of the offense).
Tavon Austin, I was much higher on this guy a few months back and I think much like Randall Cobb, it will take him a year to become an important part of the offense. If you are in a ppr league he is worth a flyer as he may turn into a 6 or 7 catch guy that is able to break one at any time. Don't love him in standard leagues as he may get you 50 yards a game and be more involved in the return game. Once this guy gets it, he will be the next Percy Harvin. Let's just hope he can stay on the field when that time comes and if you have him on your team, let's hope that it is sooner rather than later.
Tight Ends
Jared Cook, this will revolve specifically around Sam Bradford's comfort level. I am pretty high on Bradford taking a step towards becoming a very good quarterback and if he is ready, Cook could be in for a big year. I think that he will become a tight end that will become a week in week out starter. If you have Greg Olson, Antonio Gates, Kyle Rudolph or Owen Daniels and room on your bench, pick this guy up as insurance. He is a big target that is tough to cover, the Titans are going to wish they kept him. I should consider this guy a break through, but since he did not seem to be drafted as much, I need to put him on this list.
Tyler Eifert, I would not look to start Tyler too early but I think he will have a similar year to Kyle Rudolph did as a rookie. He is very tough to cover and he is going to a similar offense in Cincinnati that he was in at Stanford. Give him some time and keep looking at him from week to week as you may be able to see the progress before anybody else does and snatch him just in case you need to make a change.
Running Back
Shane Vereen, this is specifically for ppr leagues as Vereen should see plenty of opportunity to catch balls out of the backfield. There is a reason that the Patriots let Woodhead, a fan favorite, go to San Diego. Vereen is very good in space and now that he is been in the offense, we can expect to see big improvement. Don't really like him in standard leagues. Even if Ridley was to get hurt I would not expect him to get the bulk of the carries as they would give Legarrette Blount a fair share in my opinion.
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