2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers

Edelman is a prime target as a potential impact player that is a relatively low risk investment. In short, it is fair to expect Wes Welker type numbers from Edelman; however, on only one condition: Wes Welker does not return to full strength for the 2010 season. Back in January, Welker suffered a brutal knee injury. He tore his ACL, and it was also reported he tore his MCL as well (Welker denied this). As if that wasn't enough, there is also speculation Welker tore his rotator cuff. So in summary, we have a documented ACL tear and speculation of MCL and rotator cuff tears. Sounds like classic Patriots in regards to offering maximum confusion regarding injury status. Even just working with the known fact of an ACL tear, it is a brutal injury to suffer, particularly for the playing style of Welker who relies heavily on sudden starts and stops, as well as quick cuts to get separation from defenders. The ACL holds the femur and tibia in place and is one of the most critical ligaments to athletes because of its primary function of stabilizing the knee joint during deceleration. Without the ACL, players would fall to the ground due to the knee buckling when applying pressure from either stopping or changing direction. It is only natural for a player to be hesitant during the first year after an ACL injury. However, if it were anyone but Welker, who has the heart of a lion and a strong determination, this would be an easy call. Regardless, Welker is just a few months removed from ACL surgery (Feb. 2), and he has a long uphill climb to return to football form. On the other hand you have Edelman, who is basically a Wes Welker clone in terms of playing style. He is also perfectly healthy. When Edelman plays, you can expect a lot of receptions and designed plays coming across the middle to get him the ball in open space. You have to look no further than Week 16 last year, where Edelman had 10 receptions for 103 yards. Edelman enters his second year in the league and the Patriots system, and he has proven to be effective. With Tom Brady throwing the ball and a strong supporting cast, Edelman is a name to keep in mind.

With a name like Johnny Knox, you are either an action hero, federal agent, or evidently... an NFL WR. Good thing for da' Bears Knox went the NFL receiver route. These days, these aren't your ordinary Super Bowl Shuffle '85 Bears. In fact, quite the opposite. The Bears made a drastic move in the off-season and brought in Greatest Show on Turf Ring Leader Mike Martz as their new OC. Martz is best known for the fun and gun air show he put on display while coaching in St. Louis in the late 90's and early 2000's, but he also made Jon Kitna a 4,000+ yard passer... in Detroit... twice. He also started to turn around the 49ers offense a couple of years ago, but the personnel in place coupled with the drastic change in coaching philosophy ultimately lead to his release. Now he finds himself in the Windy City, but this time Martz has the type of personnel needed to unleash his high octane offense on the league. That of course starts with the QB, and he has a very good one in Jay Cutler. Cutler's cannon of an arm and pinpoint accuracy will go with Martz like peas and carrots. Martz also has RBs that have very good hands as pass catchers out of the backfield in both Matt Forte and Chester Taylor. That leaves us with the final piece of the puzzle, and that is WRs (Martz does not like to use TEs as pass catchers in his offense). Unfortunately for Martz, that is where the Bears fall a little short, although they have a solid corps with Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, D. Aromashodu, and last but not least, Johnny Knox. Out of this crew, Knox brings the best chance for both a breakout campaign and bang for your buck in your fantasy draft. Selected in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Knox wasted no time making an impact for the Bears, pulling in 5 TDs and making the Pro-Bowl as a kick return specialist in just his rookie year. He used his 4.34 second 40 yard dash speed to turn heads, and he is already turning Mike Martz's head early in his Bears' tenure. Knox is the exact same size (6'0" / 185 lbs) as another Martz all-time favorite, Isaac Bruce, except he is faster and younger. Conditions are ripe for Knox to potentially breakout.