Underrated And Not Appreciated

Every season there are player who I become enamored with, while everyone else doesn't quite understand why I have such passion for them. There are three players in particular who are getting no love, and it's actually bothering me. Player such as Jacoby Jones, Jermichael Finley and Ryan Mathews are a top everyone's ranking as must haves, and though I think they will be successful, I don't any of those three have the promise of these three potential pro bowlers.

Fred Jackson Buf- The minimal love Jackson is getting for the upcoming season has shocked me and I can't put my head around it. Jackson rushed for 1,067 yards while averaging 4.5 yards a carry behind the worst offensive line in the NFL.  He beat out teammate and former first round pick Marshawn Lynch for playing time, leading Lynch to a backup role, while becoming irrelevant in fantasy leagues everywhere. Jackson was a showstopper whether returning kicks or catching passes, leading the league with 2,516 all purpose yards which is the 4th best all time in a single season.

Fantasy owners need to understand that Lynch is irrelevant and C.J. Spiller will carry the ball a maximum of 10 times a game. Head Coach Chan Gailey will utilize Spiller as a third down and as a kick and punt returner the majority of the season. Spiller should compare to Reggie Bush in his first season, and fantasy players remember how disappointing Bush was his rookie year fantasy wise. For those who haven't drafted, stop reaching for Brandon Jacobs, Matt Forte and Felix Jones, who are all in pass first offenses and will be splitting carries 50/50 all season. Jackson is being drafted as a third running back and as a flex play, but in reality he's a solid number two for 2010.

Dustin Keller NYJ - Keller has been consistent in his first two seasons, bringing in 48 and 45 receptions for 535 yards and 522 yards with three touchdowns in 2008 and two touchdowns in 2009. In those two seasons, Keller had two different quarterbacks with two completely different styles in the gunslinger Brett Favre and the rookie Mark Sanchez. As Sanchez became a better passer, Keller put up better numbers, scoring a touchdown in every playoff game. The third season is where players tend to break out, Vernon Davis and Sidney Rice are examples from last season, and I am a firm believer that this will be the year for Keller. I look at Keller as a top 10 tight end, who will be between 750-800 yards and eight touchdowns.

Matt Moore Car- The last five weeks of the season, Moore became a name to know completing 85 of 138 passes for 1,053 yards with eight touchdowns and only two interceptions last year. The Panthers finished 4-1 with Moore behind center, giving the Panthers a confidence was noticeable at the end of the season and has been so far in training camp.

With drafts coming up, it seems that Moore is under the radar, with names like Matthew Stafford and Alex Smith being mentioned as quarterbacks to break out. It's possible that the presence of Jimmy Clausen is steering people away from Moore?  For those with drafts around the corner, you need to understand that Clausen could be third on the depth chart on opening day, so his relevancy in 2010 is minuscule. The Panthers are a run first offense, but with eight in the box and Steve Smith burning corners, I look at Moore as a top 15 quarterback with top 10 potential. At the end of last season Moore showed me a lot, so throwing over 3,000 yards to go along with 20 touchdowns are realistic expectations.