Depending on when the lockout draws to a close, I may just consider every player a "comeback" candidate.
In 2010, many fantasy owners saw their seasons derailed by crushing injuries to knees, ankles and shoulders. Did Frank Gore’s ankle injury hurt you, forcing you to make a subsequent rush to the wire for Anthony Dixon or Brian Westbrook (go claim Kendall Hunter for 2011)?
Fantasy owners are always reticent to look past the red ink of injuries past. You can’t dismiss these injuries entirely, particularly if there’s a pattern, but you can’t dismiss players outright. Conversely, you can’t necessarily dismiss players after one rough campaign. In that spirit, I’m spotlighting players coming back from injuries and those whose numbers left you wanting in 2010.
Tony Romo, QB, Dallas
I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge Romo’s return to the field. He topped 4,200 passing yards in two of the past four seasons and averaged 29.3 touchdown passes in his past three complete seasons (had 11 in six appearances last season). The Cowboys possess a fantastic receiving corps, and the growth of sophomore Dez Bryant may just put them to the next level. You don’t have to cheer for the Cowboys to win. Just enjoy the high-scoring offense.
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans
The Saints have long employed a multi-back set. I don’t anticipate that the arrival of Mark Ingram changes Sean Payton’s vision. Sure, you probably wave goodbye to Reggie Bush following his injury-shortened and scandal-plagued season. I don’t believe that you dismiss Thomas, as he has proven to be a capable receiver out of the backfield (he caught 29 passes in six games last season).
He’s demonstrated great efficiency at the goal line in years past (15 rushing touchdowns during the 2008 and 2009 seasons), making for some great opportunities for this dual-threat option.
Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay
Grant started the opener against Chicago well, producing 45 yards on eight carries. Alas, Grant sustained a season-ending ankle injury and was placed on injured reserve. I know that there’s a ton of momentum and excitement surrounding James Starks. Don’t dismiss this two-time 1,200-yard rusher. Grant was emerging as one of the most consistent and durable options at tailback before sustaining this freak injury.
You recognize the skill of the Green Bay attack. Grant enters the draft season as a RB3 with an opportunity to outperform in this set.
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina
Williams struggled in six games before sustaining a foot injury that ended his 2010 season. It should be noted that Williams was also running behind an offensive line that was missing its best piece, tackle Jeff Otah.
Williams will one to watch once the new CBA is signed. The Panthers want him back as part of a tag-team with Jonathan Stewart, but other teams will certainly court him.
Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco
Gore was on pace to destroy his 2009 yardage total last year before sustaining a hip injury that sidelined him for the final five games of the season. He’d already eclipsed his receiving total and was averaging 2.5 fewer rushing yards per game.
Gore will be recovered from his hip injury, but skeptics question whether the myriad injuries sustained during his career have finally caught up with him. Owners in points-per-reception (PPR) leagues select him a bit more comfortably.
Randy Moss, WR, Tennessee
Moss produced a dismal total of 28 receptions for 393 yards and five touchdowns between three teams last year. Still, he recorded one of the best highlight clips of the year with a touchdown reception against the Jets and Darrelle Revis.
If current speculation proves correct, Moss will be a teammate of Revis’ in 2011. Remember, he did catch 83 passes for 1,264 yards with 13 touchdowns in 2009. His skills didn’t disappear altogether overnight. In the right situation, he’s a dangerous No. 2 … if he accepts being a No. 2.
Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota
Rice’s hip injury was one of the biggest mysteries of the 2010 season. He spoke of being ready for the third preseason game, then the season opener and finally hit the field in Week 11 against Green Bay. Rice caught 17 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns in his six appearances.
Rice will have his proverbial tires kicked by a number of teams once the lockout ends, though he is reportedly considering staying in Minnesota. If he does re-sign in Minnesota, his overall value is obviously impacted by the team’s decision at quarterback. Will it be Christian Ponder, or will a veteran option come to town?
Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego
Fantasy owners drafted Jackson as a WR1 early in the 2010 draft season, but quickly realized that Jackson was holding firm to his holdout threat. The 6-foot-5 stayed true to his cause and held out until the end, thereby appearing in just five games (14 receptions for 248 yards). The two-time 1,000-yard receiver gets back to the top of the heap in 2011.
He’s been given the franchise tag for 2011 and will reportedly join the team when the lockout lifts.
Plaxico Burress, WR, Free agent
Burress’ final destination since his release from prison is still undecided, and his name has been connected to myriad teams. Obviously, his role will be determined by his landing spot, be it as a No. 2, No. 3 or red zone specialist. Burress hasn’t been a burner, so the speed element isn’t something to weigh heavily in consideration of his potential. It’s all about finding a rhythm and using his big body to create separation and out-leap defenders in the red zone.
The investment on Burress won’t be immense, at least in fantasy terms. He was drafted in the 12th round of a recent draft in which I participated. If he connects with the right quarterback, there’s WR2 potential here.
Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis
Clark was on pace to match his 2009 heroics last season with 37 receptions for 347 yards in six games prior to sustaining his season-ending wrist injury. The emergence of Jacob Tamme in his absence and his age (he turned 32 in mid-June) have some owners downgrading Clark for the 2011 campaign. His style of play certainly leaves Clark open to injuries (his 2009 season was the only 16-game season of his career), but last year’s wrist injury was a freak occurrence. He’ll be back in a big way.
Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay
Finley was the poster child “breakthrough” candidate for 2010. He was selected as a top-5 tight end in most drafts, and his fantasy owners salivated when considering the statistical heights to be attained in the Green Bay attack. Instead, Finley appeared in only five games (21 receptions for 301 yards and a touchdown) before sustaining a season-ending knee surgery.
The 6-foot-5 powerhouse declared his knee “good as new” in his social media statements this offseason, and fantasy owners are celebrating his return. Finley caught 55 passes for 676 yards and five touchdowns in 2009.
Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia
Celek was celebrated as a potential behemoth last season. Alas, he was lost in the shuffle alongside DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and regressed markedly. Celek finished with 34 fewer receptions than his 2009 total. In fact, he did not record a catch in four games.
Celek is on the radar as a quasi-sleeper and high-end TE2 to start the season. His value is obscured at the moment by speculation about Plaxico Burress and the lovefest concerning Riley Cooper. If things break correctly, a return to his 2009 production level (76 receptions, 971 yards and eight touchdowns) is not out of the question.
