Winning your fantasy football league depends upon three things: Your draft strategy, appeasing your wife and working the waiver wire. Obviously it’s too late for the first two, so let’s focus on the third.
Recognizing the hidden gems who will make a tremendous impact on their team this season before anyone else is one of the keys to winning your league. Here are the players who could be difference makers in 2014 based on their week 1 performance.
Related: Bold 2014 NFL Predictions For All 32 Teams
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
All stats via Yahoo! as of Monday, Sept. 8.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Pickups
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Allen Hurns WR - Jacksonville Jaguars
12% owned
I've been big on Hurns for over a week now after reading he was the Jaguars' No. 1 favorite at wideout heading out of camp. Chad Henne proved to be more than a capable quarterback Sunday against the Eagles. He gravitated towards Hurns often, targeting the Miami rookie nine times, connecting with him four times for 110 yards and 2 TDs. That's 23 fantasy points, folks.
There is a breakout receiver in the NFL every year and Hurns could be the guy, whether it's Henne or Blake Bortles throwing the pigskin.
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Dwayne Allen TE - Indianapolis Colts
8% owned
Just like you, I figured Coby Fleener would be Luck's go-to at the tight end spot. But although he got more looks than Allen, Fleener was dropping passes against the Broncos Sunday night. It was Allen that was on the field for more snaps and reeled off a beautiful 41-yard touchdown run.
Luck has top five quarterback talent and will find his tight end often. Right now your best bet is Allen.
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Justin Forsett RB - Baltimore Ravens
9% owned
I still think Bernard Pierce is the more talented running back with the most potential in Baltimore, but Forsett still needs to be owned in all leagues, especially now that Ray Rice has been cut by the team.
Forsett got all the snaps Sunday against the Bengals after Pierce lost a fumble, but he's a 29-year-old journeyman and only a band-aid until Pierce gets a grasp on things. It's a mess in Baltimore, but Forsett will still see quality play and yards. He's already been named the starter this Thursday against Pittsburgh, according to reports.
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Mark Ingram RB - New Orleans Saints
55% owned
Sure, I get it. The Saints have more weapons than Rambo. In fantasy that means a diminished role for your specific player, but Ingram needs to be owned in more than just half of leagues. He had 60 yards and 2 TDs against the Falcons Sunday.
Don't forget, he's only 24-years-old and has a Hall-of-Fame quarterback leading his offense that's put up the most yards in the NFL over the last four years (or some ridiculous stat like that).
I like Ingram more than I did last week, which isn't too much, but it's enough to grab him in 12-team leagues.
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Steve Smith Sr. WR - Baltimore Ravens
41% owned
Torrey Smith might be my fantasy kryptonite (as Matthew Berry would say). After Sunday's performance against the Bengals, I can't ignore that Steve is going to see just as many targets as Torrey, my No. 2 WR.
Torrey's numbers: 3 of 7 targets, 60 yards, 0 TD
Steve's numbers: 7 of 15 targets, 118 yards, TD
People think Steve has his AARP card; he's 35-years-old. After Sunday's impressive showing, Steve should be owned in all leagues.
