We have provided you plenty of fantasy football advice leading up to the start of the season. We’ve recommended two groups of running backs, a few different quarterbacks, and some tight ends. Now here are a few wide receivers who are being undervalued in fantasy drafts (they’re going lower than where they’ll finish the season).
Brandon Marshall is known for being a troublemaker, not to mention his recent borderline personality diagnosis. I suppose he always carries the risk that he could bail on a season Randy Moss-style, but I just don’t see that happening. Here’s the deal: Marshall has been ranked lowly by a few fantasy sources and can be had for a cheap price. I recently took him in the sixth round of a draft and believe he’ll provide fourth round production.
There are two reasons Marshall has been ranked lowly by fantasy outlets. One, his numbers last year were not very good (86 catches, 1,014 yards, three touchdowns). Two, his quarterback is Chad Henne. While Henne certainly limits his upside with the Dolphins (don’t expect 1,400 yards or double-digit touchdowns), Marshall had respectable numbers despite playing in 14 games. Give him a full season and you can expect something like 95 catches, 1,100 yards, and six touchdowns. Marshall won’t knock your socks off, but he’s a fourth-round player you can get in the fifth or sixth round of some drafts.
Lance Moore is nothing spectacular, but don’t let his boring name fool you; he can be a fantasy asset. Moore caught 79 balls for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns two seasons ago and 66 balls for 763 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He quietly serves as one of Drew Brees’ favorite targets in a Saints offense that loves to chuck it. Moore played a more active role in the team’s preseason games than he did last season, and reports say he’s having a huge training camp. The team also signed him to a five-year deal in the offseason to show you their commitment to him.
Though Moore’s upside is limited by Brees’ tendency to spread the ball around, Lance will be a solid performer for your team. If Marques Colston (who’s already bothered by a knee injury) ends up missing time, Moore will become even more valuable. As it stands, he’s a guy you can draft in the 10th round or later and reasonably expect to see 800 yards and eight touchdowns. You could do much worse.
Nate Burleson is a wide receiver that most drafters are ignoring. I think they’re missing out. Burleson is a number two option in a Lions offense that loves to throw the ball. I’m already predicting big things for Matthew Stafford, and Burleson will be the secondary recipient of the huge numbers. He caught six balls for 97 yards and a touchdown in the preseason. Additionally, he had seven receptions in each of the two full games Matthew Stafford played last season. Don’t confuse him for a top 25 receiver, but he’ll surprise you with the yards and TDs he puts up this season. He’s worthy of an extremely late-round selection on your fantasy team.
