By Zack Cimini
notjustagame23@gmail.com

More and more teams have that do it all role player, aka Kordell Stewart. Not nearly as many throws behind center as Stewart. Instead teams find a way to get their speedster home run threat involved not only in special teams but in some fashion as a receiver/pass catching running back. This role has expanded exponentially over the years. Some fantasy leagues offer points based on return yards. So if your league does why not get the bonus points of athletes that get involved in their teams offense as well?

Every three to four weeks I will update rankings on this rising fantasy impact area. Expect Jacoby Ford to get in this ranking when he comes back fully healthy.

1. Darren Sproles- He replaced Reggie Bush and seems to be an upgrade. He already has made a return for a touchdown, and is stretching out defenses with his speed in the open field.

2. Percy Harvin- Minnesota is doing all they can to involve Harvin at a higher rate than in years past. I’d like to see that carry over to a big day catching the ball soon. The short routes is not what Harvin excels at.

3. Dexter McCluster- McCluster is going to be a high target now that Jamaal Charles is out for the season. Leagues that offer return yards should already have McCluster on someones roster. Now you’ll get extra bonus points with McCluster who will get increased reps, and become a PPR monster to dink and dump captain Matt Cassel

4. Preston Parker- Quietly Parker is putting together one of the best sleeper fantasy seasons thus far. It is early but he returns both punts and kicks, and has become a high target of Josh Freeman’s.

5. Antonio Brown- Brown could get the top spot a few weeks from now. He is being targeted by Roethlisberger a bunch, including nine times last Sunday. Though he only caught four balls, it is intriguing to see his on field work increase.

6. Reggie Bush- One limited touch week and the media wants to blast Reggie Bush once again. Miami did not pay him the amount they did to limit him weekly. He’ll get his touches and have his best season statistically as a pro.

7. DejI Karim- Jacksonville has two positives for Karim’s fantasy value. They’re going to pound the football to try and keep the ball out of their horrible starting quarterbacks hands. And they’re going to be down a ton in many games, which means extra opportunites for returns from Karim.

8. Randall Cob- He’ll dot the fantasy scatter charts on and up and down basis. Don’t be surprised to see Cob get three to four touchdowns on returns this season.

9. Johnny Knox- I do not believe Roy Williams will be a factor the entire season. Look for the Bears to keep Knox involved for the comfort of Jay Cutler.

10. Josh Cribbs- Kind of a forgotten lost athlete in Cleveland, Cribbs was one of the few main contributing return fantasy impact guys a few years ago. Cleveland is working hard on developing him as a receiver. Last week he had forty yards receiving, but just has never shown value from a yardage/touchdown standpoint. The fact that he returns both punts and kickoffs heightens his specialist impact.

11. Devin Hester- He can run the Pierre Garcon routes, but problem is the Bears offensive line will never be able to protect Cutler long enough to deliver the ball.

12. CJ Spiller- Spiller finally showed some flashes rushing the ball with sixty yards Sunday. Thus far he isn’t close to being the first round talent the Bills thought they had. With Fred Jackson firmly as the number one back, Spiller can either make the most of his five to seven carries, or pout as the return specialist.

13. Davone Bess- Miami’s special teams has never been great. Bess can be counted on to get a ten to fifteen yard punt return here and there. His value is where he was drafted in fantasy leagues, at receiver.

14. Ted Ginn Jr.- The former ninth pick by Miami has been the best return man in football over the last few seasons. With injuries to Braylon Edwards and Michael Crabtree, Ginn got some action at receiver vs. Dallas, and will likely continue to do so. It’s a skill set that just doesn’t depart a talent as Ginn was at Ohio St. Maybe he’ll finally blossom with the Niners.

15. Jacoby Jones- Kevin Walters will likely retake his starting role from Jones. In the first two weeks Jones sure hasn’t shown that he has earned the nod.

16. Leon Washington- Washington’s nearing the end of a solid career. Injuries and being on a poor team derail his fantasy value.

17. Brad Smith
The Bills will work in Smith slowly. Running the wildcat with CJ Spiller in certain packages will improve as the season goes on. His first pass attempt this past Sunday did not go too well, as it was intercepted.