The start of training camp means the NFL is back in full swing. All the puff pieces, daily reports and of course long shot players fighting for a roster spot. For dynasty owners, it is a chance to fill out your last few roster spots as well. Ideally, you are going to be scanning your league’s waiver wire in search of some hidden gems. Most of the players below are buried on their teams’ depth chart and would need a number of things to happen before they became fantasy relevant. But keep your eye on them, because they could have sneaky potential down the road and that is what being in a dynasty league is all about. Let's dig.


QB John David Booty, Minnesota Vikings:

Brett Favre announced that he will not be coming back to the NFL and with that, John David Booty has already passed one QB thought to be on the Vikings depth chart.  Booty had a successful career at USC, starting for the football juggernaut in 2006 and 2007, keeping 2009 Top 5 pick Mark Sanchez firmly entrenched on the bench. The 6’3”, 215 lb. QB showcased a solid arm with good accuracy and pocket presence. He is also a very intelligent player that would be an ideal fit for a West Coast style offense. He dropped to the 5th round in the 2008 NFL Draft and finds himself as the QB3 behind Tavarris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. While Rosenfels is the favorite for the job, he is already 30 years old and has a tendancy to turn the ball over. Jackson is talented, but in his 3rd year, still very raw and not quite the passer that the Vikings have been looking for. Could Booty get an opportunity in 2009? It’s definitely possible, but don’t count on it. While his ultimate upisde is that of a career back-up or maybe a game-managing QB1, he makes for a good stash because of the Vikings’ unstable situation under center.

RB Brian Leonard, Cincinnati Bengals:

A RB/FB hybrid, Brian Leonard was traded to the Bengals from the Rams in the offseason. He doesn’t fit the mold of a typical Bengals player because of his lack of priors, but he can definitely play some football. Leonard was a beast at Rutgers, blocking for Ray Rice, carrying the ball for tough inside yards and catching out of the backfield. He was Steven Jackson’s back-up as a rookie, but the Rams soured on him after a series of nagging injuries. The Bengals have draft bust Cedric Benson as their incumbent starter, along with 25 year old draftee Bernard Scott and Kenny Watson competing with Leonard for carries. No one in this backfield is a sure thing, and that means there could be opportunity for Leonard if he can impress the Bengals coaching staff. Keep your eye on the 235 lb. bruiser, he could end up as a fantasy weapon if he is deployed properly.

RB Deshawn Wynn, Green Bay Packers:

Deshawn Wynn was on the fantasy radar very early in his NFL career. Drafted well after 2nd rounder Brandon Jackson in 2007, Wynn impressed the Packers early and earned 4 starts as a rookie. He had rushed for 200 yards and 4 TD’s before injuring himself and ultimately giving way to Ryan Grant, who took the job and did not look back. Brandon Jackson improved and Grant hopes to have a bounce back season, but Wynn could factor into the Packers plans once again. Since his days as a Florida Gator, though, Wynn has been known to have an attitude and find himself being labeled as injury prone. If he shows the Packers that he is ready to work hard and really wants to be on the field, he could be worth a roster spot on your bench. 

WR Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills:

Steve Johnson has the ability and build to be a successful NFL wideout, but he is currently buried on the Bills depth chart behind Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish. If James Hardy hadn’t torn his ACL, he might be behind him as well. So, he has some work to do before he makes his way into your fantasy lineup, but that doesn’t make him a bad guy to stash away. In college, Johnson transferred from Chabot Junior College in California to play his senior season at Kentucky. He put up 61 receptions, 1052 yards and 13 TD’s lining up opposite current Rams WR Keenan Burton. Last year for the Bills, he played sparingly, catching 10 balls for 102 yards and 2 TD’s. He is an unpolished talent and needs to work on his route-running, but that is expected of a WR that only played one season of Division 1-A ball and two years in high school (at RB and QB). But because he can make all the catches and has a knack for the timely play, he could very well work his way into the Bills future plans. He has the talent to pass Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish by next season and should be ahead of James Hardy, another raw product.


The New York Jets WR after Jerricho Cotchery:

There is some definite potential in the stable of Jets wideouts that are competing to play opposite the established Jerricho Cotchery. No fantasy gold just yet, but if you are digging deep there is a lot to like. First up is Chansi Stuckey from Clemson, who looks to be the early favorite to lineup as the WR2 Week 1. Stuckey has great hands and is a precise route-runner, but is a bit under-sized and doesn't have breakaway speed. David Clowney, on the other hand, has excellent long speed and could be a dangerous playmaker. Converted college QB Brad Smith will be in the mix and he has playmaking abilities as well, but he is not a natural WR and isn't ever going to be one on a full time basis. He does have a solid build and is capable of lining up as a QB, RB or return guy as well. Lastly, there is the newest Jet, Aundrae Allison, claimed off waivers from the Vikings. Double A might have the best combination of size and speed on the team, but he is also probably the most raw. He needs to work on his consistency and route running skills, but he could produce if given the chance to crack the rotation. We like Stuckey the best for 2009, followed closely by Clowney. Long term, it is a close battle between Allison and Clowney based on upside, but Stuckey may wind up having the most solid career of the foursome.

TE Travis Beckum, New York Giants:

The Giants traded Jeremy Shockey last offseason and 2nd year TE Kevin Boss filled in admirably in 2008. Boss is full of potential as a receiving TE, but the G-Men believe he can also become a very useful blocking TE. That led to a need for pass catching TE depth. Enter Travis Beckum. Landing with New York as a 3rd round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft could present an opportunity for Beckum to show off his skills. Durability is going to be a question mark for him, as will his size. At 6'3" and 240 lbs., he is slightly under-sized for a typical TE, but above average hands and body control make him a very effective receiver. If he is not asked to block as much as most starting TE's and he continues to mature at the position, he could surprise in a few years as a reliable fantasy option.

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