If anyone is going to invest in anything, they want to get top-notch capabilities in their new endeavor. In fantasy football the latest angle of notching owners is looking for multiple threats. Athletes, especially wide receivers that do more than just play their main position. There aren’t many out there, but a receiver that is in the top three rotation and a solid kick or punt returner is a huge plus. Considering that more and more leagues are adding points for return yardage, you can really bonus up by snagging a slash athlete. The compounding factors and rising use should reach a high point this year.

A receiver is probably the only position that would be worth looking at, if you are planning on going that route. The majority of running backs that see time on special teams are third string running backs. At wide receiver though, if they are in the top three or four on their roster, it’s one of the most attractive sleeper prospective decisions to make. All of these receivers are mid to late range draft choices, so the worries of a non-payoff is irrelevant. Expectations can’t be high if you don’t invest high. A gamble in the mid to late rounds is worth the risk.

Too many owners exaggerate over the value of every pick. It’s not the end of the world if a backup player isn’t producing. What do NFL franchises do when backup’s are ineffective? They cut the athlete in a heartbeat, and sign an athlete with the same type of potential. That’s exactly how a fantasy owner should look at their depth. Take big gambles that could payoff, and give them a short leeway to prove if they can be a boom or bust. If they bust, wow you can cut the athlete for another sub standard athlete or one that’s suddenly risen. If they boom, now you’re looked at as the elite owner in your league, and you can let your weekly bye week stresses die.

With Johnnie Morton being cut last month, the void left is going to be filled by Samie Parker. While the majority of fantasy owners are looking at Parker as a sleeper starter, the bigger sleeper is right underneath Parker on the depth chart. Dante Hall has dazzled audiences with his spectacular returning abilities, and has made his job look easy. People tend to forget though, that Hall was a running back at Texas A@M. He has had to adapt to changing to wide receiver, and has thrived on occasions when the Chiefs went into four and five wide receiver sets.

Hall’s speed and big play ability makes his percentage threat rise by a nice twenty to twenty five percent. With at least eight to ten more plays at wide receiver a game, his stock should be comparable to any major rookie. Don’t bank on Samie Parker or Eddie Kennison manning the starting spots all season long either. Kennison is an average receiver at best that just happens to mesh with Trent Green well. Parker is an inexperienced youngster that could struggle with a starting role.

Out in Pittsburgh, some Steeler fans were disappointed that the Steelers didn’t even attempt to resign Plaxico Burress. The demand Burress was seeking just wasn’t worth the Steelers expense. Burress’s motivation seemed to drop off when he wasn’t getting the looks that he should. A serious hungry athlete would have sought more looks by yelling at his quarterback or offensive coordinator. Burress instead seemed to be content as long as the check was coming.

The major reason why the Steelers let Burress go untouched, was because of Antwaan Randle El’s quick development as a receiver. He went from being a special team standout and fifth Steeler wide receiver, to jumping up the depth chart with rapid speed in less than two years.

Cedrick Wilson was brought in to challenge Randle El for the starting job, and the battle will be a very entertaining eye catcher. If Randle El can win, this may be the last year to expect major contributions from him in the special teams category. A lot of coaches will cutback a player once he has reached starting status. Don’t forget Cedrick Wilson also performed on special teams in San Francisco, so either way there could be a shakeup in the wide receiver or special teams area. Honestly though Randle El’s play was above Burress often last year, and he should get a shot at showcasing his full worth.

Those are the two best slash athletes to take a look at in your fantasy drafts. There may be a few others out there especially rookies, but those athletes are likely to go undrafted in fantasy football leagues. The main key is to keep an eye out in preseason to see who wins the returning jobs and if that’s worth corresponding with their depth chart position.