While we all want to draft the hottest sleeper, or the hidden rookie that will catch the fantasy world by surprise, we often neglect some useful old guys that can still get the job done. Today, check out these five fantasy veterans that might get ignored because they aren’t “sexy” enough.
All average draft position (ADP) figures are courtesy of FantasyPros.com
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Andre Johnson, WR, Colts (ADP: 42)
Johnson hasn’t topped five touchdowns in any of the last four seasons, but neither would you if the unholy combination of Matt Schaub, Ryan Fitzpatrick, T.J. Yates and assorted other mediocre players were throwing you the ball. Johnson is going as the 17th wide receiver off the board, which is honestly better than I thought when he announced his decision to go to Indianapolis.
Players like Brandin Cooks (Saints) and Jordan Matthews may be younger than Andre, but it’s hard to convince me they’re better than him with Andrew Luck at QB.
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Steve Smith Sr., WR, Ravens (ADP: 91)
Stevonne Latrall Smith Sr. is in the final year of his career and you’re sadly mistaken if you think a fighter like him is going out meekly. Last season Smith went over 1,000 yards, and at 36, he’s poised to do it again. Few athletes have been as well-conditioned throughout their careers as Smith, and the Ravens passing game flat-out needs him to produce. Rookie Breshad Perriman is not going to be a No. 1-caliber player out of the gate. Expect a similar line to last season’s, with maybe even more TDs.
Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers (ADP: 74)
Jackson has a younger version of himself opposite him in the Tampa Bay receiving corps, and last season Mike Evans soaked up a ton of V-Jax’s touchdowns. At 32, is Jackson obsolete? I think not.
Touchdowns are fickle in the NFL sometimes, so a two-TD campaign isn’t a reason to write him off. Jackson caught 70 passes for 1,002 yards, numbers that are basically in line with what he normally does on a yearly basis. With better QB play, he should be able to get up to the 5-6 TD range at minimum.
Fred Jackson, RB, Bills (ADP: 170)
Last season Jackson caught almost five passes per game, and rushed 141 times for 525 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games (nine starts). Those numbers are pretty damn good for the oldest—literally—RB in the NFL. LeSean McCoy’s arrival in Buffalo is obviously not great for F-Jax, but I can’t imagine Rex Ryan completely phasing out a quality veteran like that.
McCoy is banged up already, and the Bills O-line is pretty gnarly. Jackson is going to have his moments in 2015, and if McCoy misses time Jackson is a start-worthy option any time he enters a game as a starter. He’s the 54th RB off the board. Tremendous, tremendous value.
Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers (ADP: 114)
Boldin keeps on chugging man. He’s the 43rd receiver off the board, despite back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with five or more touchdowns. No Boldin is not a WR1 on fantasy teams anymore, but he is a steady contributor and arguably the No. 1 option in San Francisco’s passing game. It is hard to find a better bye-week FLEX than this.
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