2012 Fantasy Football Draft Analysis: Late Round Targets with Upside

Brian Spurlock/US PRESSWIRE
So you made it through the beginning rounds of your draft and you are deciding on your late round targets.  This is where you separate yourself from the pack in order to make it through bye weeks and injuries.  I like to target players with upside and if I don't see that upside during the season I work the waiver wire.


There players are ones you need to add to your watch-list (they are in no particular order):

Austin Collie (WR, IND) - could this be Luck's new favorite target for 2012.  There is no doubt that Indy will be playing from behind in some games this year and throwing the ball is going to have to be high on the priority list.  If Collie can stay healthy, which is his biggest risk, he could be a nice PPR league target in the late rounds.

Jacquizz Rodgers (RB, ATL) - It's no surprise that Turner is an injury prone running back.  If you draft Turner you need to do yourself a favor and grab this hand-cuff.  If you don't draft Turner and draft Rodgers you can expect him to put up ok numbers while Turner is healthy and plays, but if Turner goes down then Rodgers is going to get the lion share.

Kendall Wright (WR, TEN) - Kenny Britt is still recovering from injuries and Wright is looks great in camp.  Wright has all the ingredients for a player with huge upside potential.  You will have to take a wait and see approach when you draft him, but let's hope we don't have to wait too long to see solid production from this young WR.

Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, OAK) - he is going to go later in the drafts, but take a look at this guys production from last year.  Carson Palmer is going to look his way and we think Heyward-Bey is going to make a solid bye week filler or injury spot starter.

Jacob Tamme (TE, DEN) - Tamme has a Peyton Manning connection and Peyton throws to his TE.  He is an easy draft choice and if he is floating around later in your draft you don't have to hesitate to grab this TE.

Greg Olsen (TE, CAR) - he was splitting time with Shockey last year, but that won't be the case this year.  He could end up a top TE in 2012 and be drafted rather late in most fantasy drafts this year.

Andrew Luck (QB, IND) - he is going to go very late in non-dynasty draft, but he is a QB with upside.  He is an ideal late round target if you want to gamble on your back-up QB.

Taiwan Jones (RB, OAK) - another Oakland player, but it is no mystery that Darren McFadden is injury prone.  Taiwan is just sitting back there now with Michael Bush in Chicago.  This is a very solid late round target.

Need assistance with your 2012 fantasy football drafts?  Hatty Waiver Wire Guru has a 2012 Fantasy Football Draft Guide for you.

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Brian Spurlock/US PRESSWIRE