We asked the CFG staff to chime in on who we might be underestimating on the initial Big Board Top 50's.  Below are a list of players who might be ranked a bit too low.


Quarterbacks Ranked Too Low

Todd:
John Brantley, Florida (CFG #35)
I think we need to go back to the drawing board on this projection.

Andrew Luck, Stanford (CFG #39)
He could use a bump up in the touchdown pass category.

Joe:
Christian Ponder, Florida State (CFG #16)
Many people seem to have forgotten that Ponder was a top 10 fantasy QB before his injury in 2009. Now he will be in his second year with the new offensive system, and he has plenty of experienced playmakers surrounding him. If he can improve on consistently producing every week, he should shoot up toward the top 10.

Landry Jones, Oklahoma (CFG #18)
The Oklahoma offense is primed to have a breakout season. Jones was thrust into the starting job last fall, but this year he will be more confident and consistent. Look for big things from Jones at the helm of the Sooner offense.

Kevin:
John Brantley, Florida (CFG #35)
I think he will pass for mid-3000’s and flirt with 30 total scores.

Jamie Hampton, Troy (CFG #32)
I really like Hampton in the Troy offense this year. He has proven to be a dual threat and could thrive in their O. The injury does not really bother me much.

Ben Chappell, Indiana (CFG #44)
I love Chappell this year and think he could be flirt with 3,500 yards and 25-30 scores. They should throw the ball a ton, have nice wide outs, and should be playing from behind a lot.


Running Backs Ranked Too Low

Todd:
LaMichael James, Oregon (CFG #15)
Even with the one game suspension, James has the potential to outperform his initial projection.  I think he might be just a few slots too low.

Joe:
Derrick Washington, Missouri (CFG #29)
My gut thinks that Washington will have a good “bounce-back” season. Although I do think our 13 total touchdowns is in the right neighborhood, in think his 1066 total yards to too low. I view Washington as a top 25 caliber back for 2010.

Aaron Winchester, Western Michigan (CFG – not in current Top 50)
Winchester looks to be a super sleeper at RB this year. There is a big dropoff after the top tier talent has been drafted. So finding guys you can snag late in the draft with a good chance of being good producers will make the difference for your fantasy team. Look for the coaches to lean on Winchester as the offense breaks in a new QB.

Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky (CFG #50)
There has been a running joke in the forums revolving around Rainey, but the facts speak for themselves. Rainey has a veteran line in front of him. Last season he totaled 939 rushing yards while splitting carries. In 2010 he will be the workhorse back for the Hilltoppers, and he looks to have a large boost in his production.

Kevin:
Allen Bradford, USC (CFG - not in current Top 50)
I see Bradford as a Monterio Hardesty clone in body and numbers too.

Baron Batch, Texas Tech (CFG #31)
I know there are guys waiting to snake carries, but Batch just seems to produce. I see him in the neighborhood of 1400 total yards and 13-15 scores.

Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati (CFG #47)
I really like Peed for approach 1000 rushing yards and 8-10 scores. I know Butch Jones didn’t exactly run the ball tons at CMU, but I don’t think he had a back with the talent of Peed.


Wide Receivers Ranked Too Low

Todd:
Wes Kemp, Missouri (CFG #41)
I’ll admit that the Missouri wide receiver situation is one of the great mysteries of the 2010 season.  We tabbed Jerrell Jackson as the lead dog, but it could easily wind up being Wes Kemp.

Joe:
Phillip Payne, UNLV (CFG #36)
The UNLV offense will be going through a makeover, and is fully of question marks at multiple positions. The one spot where there are no question marks is at WR. Payne will be the top pass target, as well as a heavily used redzone target. Look for Payne to be one of this year’s surprises in the fantasy game.

Johnathan Wilson, Kansas (CFG – not in current Top 50)
Wilson has been overlooked by many during the change to the Turner Gill era. There are many question marks at QB and RB for the Jayhawks. But Wilson is the one man that the coaches are looking for being a major leader for 2010. Wilson might end up reminding fantasy owners of former Buffalo WR Naaman Roosevelt by the time the 2010 season is in the books.

Kevin:
Rodney Bradley, Hawaii (CFG #30)
I know the injury concerns are there, but he was on fire last year before going down and I think the Hawaii offense will be even better in 2010.

Hubert Anyiam, Oklahoma State (CFG #45)
I know he will be coming off injury and the first year in the system, but he could be huge if he is the #1 Cowboy. If he develops a rapport with Weeden, the sky is the limit.


Tight Ends Ranked Too Low

Todd:
Luke Stocker, Tennessee (CFG #38)
With all of the moving parts in Knoxville, Stocker seems to be the only reliable option at the moment.

Joe:
Orson Charles, Georgia (CFG #11)
Many people are undervaluing Charles due to the change at QB.  I look at it the other way around. The running game will be leaned on to help the QB out, but he will need a safety value in the passing game when defenses focus on stopping A.J. Green. Charles looks to serve as that safety value. Add in his ability to compliment the ground game through play action and it’s easy to see his true potential for the 2010 season.

Kevin:
Vaughn Charlton, Temple (CFG #3)
He is a bit if an unknown with the position change, but I think he could be a pleasant surprise at the TE position.

Luke Stocker, Tennessee (CFG #38)
He could be the safety valve for the Vols offense this year and could approach 45 receptions and 5-7 scores. I actually think he could be a top 10-12 TE this year.


Kickers Ranked Too Low

Todd:
Wes Byrum, Auburn (CFG #26)
Byrum needs a bump up the Big Board.

Joe:
No players seems to jump off the page as undervalued in my eyes. But of course these guys are kickers. How many of us really pay attention to guys outside the top 20?

Kevin:
Matt Hogan, Houston (CFG #22)
I think he could be in line for a big season. If he can reach 15 FG’s, he could be a monster with all the PAT’s he will kick.

Wes Byrum, Auburn (CFG #26)
He is my man crush kicker this year…sad isn’t it. I think the Auburn offense will hum this season and he will have plenty of scoring chances.

 

On the other side of the coin, see the CFG Staff's take on who might be ranked too high here.