2012 Fantasy Football: Hidden Gem Keeper League Players for 2012

As the fantasy football season winds down, many managers in fantasy football keeper leagues are anxiously deciding which players to keep for the 2012 season. So depending on your roster size and the number of teams in your league, here are a few names you will want to consider bringing back to your roster in 2012. Some players are probably already owned in your fantasy football league, meaning if you are the owner of this player you may want to designate them as a keeper, while other players may still be available in your league’s free agent pool. Each players age is listed after their name.

For additional Fantasy Football information, check out the Hawk Fantasy Sports Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fantasy-Football-Start-Sit-Lineup-Advice/262183993792691.

2012 Fantasy Football Keeper Rankings — QB Keeper Rankings — RB Keeper Rankings — WR Keeper Rankings — TE Keeper Rankings — Top 20 Hidden Gem Keepers

Top 20 – Fantasy Football Hidden Gem Keeper League Players 2012

Quarterback (QB)

Matt Flynn – Sea = 26 —– After a very successful run as a backup QB in Green Bay, Flynn is ready to showcase his ability in Seattle for the 2012 season. Entering his prime at age 26, Flynn is definitely worth a gamble in fantasy football keeper leagues.

Chad Henne – Jac = 26 —– Up until Henne was injured in week 4 with a separated left shoulder, he was showing signs of what could have potentially been a breakout season for him in 2011. However that breakout potential has now been postponed for the 2012 season. In fantasy leagues that are 16 teams or deeper, Henne is a very intriguing keeper option that should not be overlooked because of his injury.

Colin Kaepernick – SF = 24 —– Really a toss up here with Kaepernick, and even though Alex Smith has re-signed with the 49ers, the reliability of Smith is still nearly non-existent. In deep leagues, Kaepernick is a tempting high upside QB to keep tabs on during the 2012 season.

.

Running Back (RB)

Michael Bush – Chi = 27 —– Signing with Chicago for the 2012 season, Bush clearly does not enter an ideal fantasy football situation, but he should easily play a similar role in the Bears offense as what he played in Oakland. And if he vultures goal line work over Matt Forte, Bush might just rack up 10 touchdowns in 2012. More importantly, at age 27 and with limited pounding on his body as a backup RB the past several seasons, Bush is definitely worth a gamble in deep fantasy football leagues.

Montario Hardesty – Cle = 24 —– With Peyton Hillis finally out of Cleveland, there is plenty of reason for the Browns to hand over the starting RB reigns to their 2010 2nd round draft pick Montario Hardesty for the 2012 season. So unless the Browns decide to use a high draft choice on another RB, it looks like Hardesty could easily enter the 2012 season with a starting job and a potential fantasy football ranking as a top 25 RB.

Mikel LeShoure – Det = 21 —– The Lions 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft, LeShoure was destined to become a huge force in the young and emerging Detroit offense. Unfortunately a torn left achilles tendon suffered in training camp, derailed LeShoure’s 2011 season as well as potentially his career. However there is no denying that if LeShoure can come back and recover fully, he could easily be the Lions starting RB for the 2012 season. Lots of potential here if you have an extra keeper spot that you are willing to use on a high upside RB.

Bernard Scott – Cin = 27 —– After the 2010 season it seemed that Scott would finally be given an opportunity to be the Bengals starting RB in 2011. However that was altered once the Bengals resigned Cedric Benson. With Benson now out of Cincinnati, Scott will have to compete with the newly signed BenJarvis Green-Ellis for carries in 2012, but the potential is there for Scott.

Stevan Ridley – NE = 22 —– Having shown glimpses of his potential during his rookie campaign in 2011, Ridley is an excellent keeper option in most fantasy football leagues for the 2012 season.

.

Wide Receiver (WR)

Denarius Moore – Oak = 22 —– A preseason standout as a rookie, Moore is an extremely talented wide receiver who was oddly passed over by numerous teams in the 2011 draft, while falling all the way down to the Oakland Raiders in the middle of the 5th round. With the revitalized Carson Palmer now running the show in Oakland, it is extremely possible and very likely that Moore will enter the 2012 season as the Raiders #1 starting WR.

Torrey Smith – Bal = 22 —– Having taken full advantage of his opportunities and playing time as a rookie in 2011, Smith will head into the 2012 season as a huge sleeper who could potentially overtake fellow WR Anquan Boldin as Joe Flacco’s top target.

Demaryius Thomas – Den = 23 —– A proven health risk just two seasons into his NFL career, Thomas is one young wide receiver who is loaded with all the physical tools and talent be a #1 starting WR in the NFL if only he can stay healthy. Add in Peyton Manning, and Thomas has the potential to be a top 20 fantasy football WR in 2012.

Jonathan Baldwin – KC = 22 —– At 6-4 and 230 pounds, Baldwin has all the physical tools and ability to become one of the next young emerging star WRs in the NFL during the 2012 season. On the downside, Baldwin’s worst attribute is his ego and childish behavior, so until he matures a bit he is just a gamble heading into the 2012 season for fantasy football teams.

Jerome Simpson – Cin = 25 —– Since entering the NFL as a 2nd round pick in the 2008 draft, Simpson endured his first two seasons in the league as a bench warmer. However after finally receiving some playing time to finish out the 2010 season, expectations were rising fast for Simpson entering the 2011 season. Unfortunately, the emergence of rookie wide receiver AJ Green and a rookie QB in Andy Dalton, have hampered Simpson’s potential breakout season this year. Yet entering the 2012 season as 5 year veteran and still only 26 years old, Simpson could easily benefit immensely while playing alongside AJ Green, as well as having a much likely improved Dalton throwing to him in 2012.

Vincent Brown – SD = 22 —– A third round pick in the 2011 draft, Brown has received limited playing time this season, but when he has played he has shown a solid connection with Philip Rivers. And anytime you have a very good QB throwing you the ball, your potential as a receiver go up tremendously. It would not be surprising at all if Brown entered the 2012 season as a clear cut starting WR in the San Diego Chargers lineup.

Randall Cobb – GB = 21 —– Already a dynamic weapon in the Green Bay Packers offense, Cobb’s offensive roll should continue to grow as veteran Donald Driver sees less playing time heading into the 2012 season.

Greg Little – Cle = 22 —– Easily the most talented wide receiver on the Cleveland Browns roster for the 2011 season, Little should continue to progress in 2012 and develop into the Browns clear cut #1 starting WR. Now if only the Browns can figure out their QB situation, Little’s fantasy football stock could skyrocket.

Greg Salas – StL = 23 —– Another young and talented rookie WR who was just coming into his own before suffering a broken leg in week 9, Salas could easily take over as the #2 starting wide receiver in St. Louis alongside Brandon Lloyd in 2012. Add in a likely much improved and healthy Sam Bradford in 2012, and the upside with Salas is definitely there.

Arrelious Benn – TB = 24 —– One would have thought Benn would already be playing a major roll in the Buccaneers passing attack for the 2011 season, but the struggles of QB Josh Freeman have severally hampered Benn’s stats. Yet a breakout season is very possible for this third year WR in 2012.

Leonard Hankerson – Was = 23 —– In his first career NFL start in week 10, Hankerson quickly racked up 8 receptions for 106 yards. Unfortunately he also suffered a season ending injury in that game as well, a torn labrum in his right hip. As a 3rd round pick in the 2011 draft, Hankerson is a very young and talented WR to eventually become a starter for the Redskins in 2012.

.

Tight End (TE)

Tony Moeaki – KC = 24 —– One of the better fantasy football TEs as a rookie during the 2010 season, the expectations were very high for Moeaki entering the 2011 season. That was until a knee injury suffered in a preseason game sent him to the IR for the entire 2011 season. Luckily though, Moeaki should be fully recovered to start the 2012 season, so the potential for a breakout year is definitely within reach in 2012.

Kyle Rudolph – Min = 22 —– One of the best pass catching tight ends in the 2011 draft, the Vikings used their 2nd round pick on Rudolph with hopes that he would eventually become an excellent offensive threat. Unfortunately having been given very little playing time to begin the 2011 season, Rudolph has seen a slow start to his NFL career. Yet with that said, the emergence of fellow rookie Christian Ponder could easily lead to an increased offensive roll for Rudolph to finish out the 2011 season. With plenty of upside going for him, Rudolph could emerge as a top 15 fantasy football TE for the 2012 season.

Lance Kendricks – StL = 23 —– A 2011 preseason sensation, Kendricks was a 2011 2nd round draft pick who garnered immediate attention in fantasy football leagues as a huge sleeper TE. However injuries to both himself and quarterback Sam Bradford quickly derailed Kendricks rookie season. Yet looking ahead to the 2012 season, Kendricks should easily win the Rams starting TE job. Possessing plenty of receiving skills to make a significant impact in the Rams passing attack, fantasy football teams will want to keep a very close eye on Kendricks heading into the 2012 season.

Ed Dickson – Bal = 23 —– A very talented young TE who should continue to see his roll in the Ravens passing attack continue to grow during the 2012 season, Dickson is a solid deep league keeper TE option.

Evan Moore – Cle = 26 —– With Ben Watson getting up there in age, the 6-6 and 250 pound Moore is destined to become the Cleveland Browns starting TE at some point during the 2012 season. Think Heath Miller size and red zone touchdown threat for fantasy football purposes.

Dennis Pitta – Bal = 26 —– If Ed Dickson does not take hold of the starting TE job in Baltimore, then the solid pass catching Pitta is next in line.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *