FOLLOWING WHAT MATTERS TO YOU.

DETROIT LIONS
Lions-take-Ansah-in-first-round 4/26/13 - Lions take Ansah in first round
BACK
Add the Detroit Lions to My HUB

Titus Young as a fantasy sleeper?

by Tim Moczula       August 10th, 2012 1:48 PM
  • Titus-Young-as-a-fantasy-sleeper
  • Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young (16) during organized team activities at Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

    • Probably the most exciting aspect of fantasy football is the sleeper. Whenever you get high production from a late-round pick that nobody else expects to be valuable, it's a good feeling. Titus Young may be that player for smart owners in 2012.

    There's no question Calvin Johnson will be at the end of a majority of Matthew Stafford's passes. He was the third-most targeted player in the NFL and led the league with 1,681 receiving yards last season. He is arguably the best receiver in the game, and so many will focus on grabbing him for their teams.

    But that's the main reason why Young could be so valuable. It's hard enough for any non-Lions fan to name the team's No. 2 receiver (it was Nate Burleson last season), so who would consider their third? Oh, and there's no shot Young will remain the team's third option this season. Although he caught a career-high 73 passes, Burleson had just 757 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 10-year veteran seems to be past his prime and on his way out. Young, on the other hand, had 607 yards and 6 touchdowns with just 48 receptions and boasts extreme athleticism and potential.

    In his final two seasons at Boise State, Young dominated the NCAA. In each season, he had over 70 receptions, 1000 yards, and combined for 19 touchdowns. Yes, the Broncos ran a pass-friendly offense, but it seems the Lions will do the same.

    Stafford is emerging into a dominant quarterback and Brandon Pettigrew was one of the league's top tight ends last season. Add a 2x All-Pro receiver and an injury-prone backfield to the equation, and it would be stupid for Detroit not to pass the ball.

    With Johnson simply on the field and running routes, defenses suffer. His presence opens the field and as a result, his teammates thrive. On the opposite side of the field, Young will see fewer defenders and more open looks. If you still aren't convinced of his potential, look at his progression during the season. The second-year man had 4 touchdowns in the final 4 games of the season and all of his points in the team's final 9 games.

    This year, he should be targeted a lot more from day one. Because he wasn't that big of a threat last season, teams will not be expecting him to do big things. Because Johnson and Pettigrew will cause so many problems and Stafford has proven he can throw, it's not unlikely that Young will go for over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Definitely keep him on your radar during draft night, as others will surely pass on the chance to grab him.

    What did you think? Leave a comment

    TOPICS

    RELATED STORIES
    More

    Fan Hub Action

    LATEST CHATTER

    Rangers, Bruins ready to resume hostilities
    The irony - and bravery - of Jason Collins's decision

    • Charlie Lobosco May 1st

      This is a very compelling story because Mr. Collins is a very passionate, tough, intelligent, athelete taking on some additional responsibliity to help others as…

    • Scott Cohen May 1st

      Charlie.. very well said.. he does have guts

    • Scott Cohen May 1st

      but it shouldn’t require guts. .like you said it’s nobody’s business but his own

    The irony of Kobe Bryant's injury

    • Hisham Zameeth April 30th

      best player ever…..

    • Kareem Musa Mayowa April 29th

      We don’t need to be hopeless about the situation bryant his. Because even david villa situation also up to the level of his own to…

    • Maritess Lim April 28th

      I still believe in KOBE’s power…… He is still the best…… He will make it possible no matter what……

    • mimi_aragon84 April 28th

      I feel no pity for him. First of all, it is EAGLE, COLORADO, not Eagleton, secondly he enjoyed success and adulation from fans from 2003…

    POPULAR NOW

    Rangers, Bruins ready to resume hostilities

    May 16th, 2013 12:13 PM

    1
    Nate Robinson misses all 12 shots in loss

    May 14th, 2013 1:28 AM

    Learning to settle with second-rate fights

    May 20th, 2013 9:09 AM

    ALL TIME FAVES

    Despite tragedy, Boston and its marathon will endure

    April 16th, 2013 12:15 PM

    6
    Tiger on top is the best thing for golf

    April 9th, 2013 11:57 AM

    18
    Questions about sexuality arise at combine

    March 1st, 2013 8:37 AM

    10

    Twitter Chatter

    PEOPLE

    VIDEOS