Sign Up
for the
2013 Fantasy Football: 10 Aging Veterans Who Will Surprise in 2013
Fantasy Football: 10 Aging Veterans Who Will Surprise in 2013
There is no denying that there is a youth movement going on in the NFL and Fantasy Football world today. Everyone rushes to grab the newest rookie sensation or third-year breakout player. It’s as if a player gets on the wrong side of his 29th birthday and he’s suddenly labeled as old and washed up.
I believe there are some serious value players in the league today who can not only turn in a serviceable stat line but can indeed shock you with how well they’ll shine on any given Sunday.
Young players tend to rely on their physical ability to outrun, overpower or capitalize on an opponent’s weakness. They tend to create opportunity on ability alone. It’s the crafty veteran who know where the holes are, knows the best body position and has studied enough game tape to be able to make the most out of gas he still has left in the tank.
As a result, young players who rely on their physical abilities tend to put up streaky performances. One week they’ll almost single handedly win the game for you and you’ll be walking with a strut past all the guys in your office league on Monday morning. The next week they get stuffed or jammed at the line all game because they haven’t figured out yet how to beat the jam or read the run-blitz and you eat your lunch alone on Monday.
The crafty veteran tends to put up a consistent, if only modest stat line week in and week out. A couple of quality veterans in your starting lineup can give you a foundation that’ll serve as the spine of your fantasy team.
Here are 10 aging veterans you’ll want to consider on draft day.
Eric Beuning is a Fantasy Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericbeuning or add him to your network on Google.
10. Anquan Boldin
At age 33, Anquan Boldin is still a physical receiver. He has steady hands and the ability to read a defense to find the open spaces. Boldin will be a great asset for Colin Kaepernick when he needs to improvise in the Read Option offense of the San Francisco 49ers.
I would draft him as a No. 2 WR around the seventh or eighth round.
9. Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates used to be the most electrifying Tight End in Fantasy Football. Now age 33, multiple foot injuries have reduced his value and robbed him of his speed. However, his Basketball bred knowledge of body position and the fact that he is Phillip Rivers most trusted pass catcher will give him an edge. The loss of Danario Alexander also means more balls will be thrown Gate’s way.
He’ll go in the draft as a high end No. 2 TE but he’ll perform like a low-end No. 1 TE. He could still be available as late as the 12th round.
8. Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer was 33 years old when he put on an Arizona Cardinal’s jersey for the first time. New Head Coach Bruce Arians is known for his wide-open style of passing offense. Palmer put up 4,018 yards and 22 Touchdowns last year while throwing to the Oakland Raiders motley crew of receivers. So it will be a massive upgrade for him to be throwing to All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald and emerging talented pass catchers Michael Floyd and Rob Housler.
With as much potential as there is in Arizona this year, you still won’t be drafting Palmer to lead your Fantasy squad to victory. However you can grab him as a capable No. 2 QB who will fill in nicely on bye weeks or serve as trade bait. You should be able to draft him around the 12th or 13th round.
7. Frank Gore
Frank Gore recently celebrated his 30th birthday and promptly people began writing him off. Gore has had injury issues in the past which has contributed to his decrease in value. However some of that was related to wear and tear in the early of his career when he was often the San Francisco 49ers only viable offensive weapon.
The Read Option offense that the 49ers have adopted puts less punishment on a Running Back, which should help Gore make it through the season healthy. The Read Option works best to disguise the play if there is a three-down back as opposed to a committee that can often tip the offenses hand.
Kendall Hunter is also this type of three-down back but he is coming off of an Achilles injury, which typically takes a full year of play to get back to 100%. LaMichael James for all of his lightning quickness lacks the size to go between the Tackles and Marcus Lattimore should spend the year wearing a red shirt.
Gore remains the only perfect fit in an offense that should be prolific. He should be one of the better No. 2 RB’s in all of Fantasy Football this year and you should be able to draft him late in the fourth or early fifth round.
6. DeAngelo Williams
DeAngelo Williams also celebrated his 30th birthday this year and with Jonathan Stewart rehabbing from surgery on both ankles, Williams is in line to find the opportunity he needs to succeed in 2013. Last year, the Carolina Panthers got away from the run too often and when they did run the ball it was by committee. This has dropped the perceived value of Williams.
New Offensive Coordinator Mike Shula will reemphasize the run game to balance the pass. Williams is the type of back who needs to work into the rhythm of the game to make big plays. Owning the feature role early on, this could be his year to shine.
You should be able to grab him in the eighth round to use as your No. 3 RB or Flex Player.
5. Tony Gonzalez
At 37 years old Tony Gonzalez is coming back for one more season in hopes that he can pull off a John Elway finish to his career and ride off into the sunset wearing a Super Bowl Ring. Tony is no speed threat. His strength is in his ability to get body position to make the most of his leaping ability and soft hands. He is a key piece of the potent Atlanta Falcons offense, especially down at the goal line.
He’s a No. 1 TE you should be able to draft in the seventh round.4. Steve Smith
Steve Smith, at age 34, is another gamer looking to ride off into the sunset on a championship run. He’s in an offense where he is the most explosive play maker and he’s motivated to win a ring. He has lost a step in speed but he’s gained an edge in elusiveness and the ability to get open when Cam Newton needs him most.
You can draft him as a No. 2 or 3 WR in the sixth or seventh round.
3. Tony Romo
Tony Romo is a name you might not expect to see on this list, until you look up his age and realize that he’s 33 years old with only one playoff win to his name. Romo has been plagued his whole career as a choke-artist with feet of clay. Last year he put up more yards than Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Mathew Stafford. Yet in most rankings he doesn’t even crack the top 10.
Last year Miles Austin and Jason Witten were dinged up and slowed down early while Dez Bryant didn’t really get hot until late. Romo’s entire supporting cast will be healthier and improved from last year, so there is every reason to believe his numbers will go up.
He’s the kind of undervalued player who will fall quietly into the middle of the draft. You should be able to draft him to be your starting Quarterback as late as the 6th round.
2. Wes Welker
Wes Welker will spend his 32nd year playing for the Denver Broncos as a part of a Peyton Manning led offense. He will share the short routes of the Broncos offense with Eric Decker. This has drawn a rainbow of opinions all across the fantasy football world. I believe that because of his knowledge of the game combined with superior durability and the ability to get small in traffic, that Welker is the better of the two receivers to own.
I would draft him in the fourth round to be my No. 2 WR.
1. Steven Jackson
Steven Jackson tops the list of aging veterans. He’s 30 years old and he’s had a lot of touches in his career. He still runs hard, plays tough and has only missed one game in the last three years. He mixes his hard running style with great pass catching ability, allowing him to be a three down back and a goal threat for the potent offense of the Atlanta Falcons.
He’s a high No. 2 RB you can draft that you should not let escape the third round.
