Fantasy football: Possible UDFA impact from Fannin, Sanzenbacher

by Dan Kadar on Aug 2, 2011 8:24 PM EDT

When people talk about successful undrafted free agents in fantasy football, it begins and ends with LeGarrette Blount of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arian Foster of the Houston Texans.

Both are 1,000-yard rushers so it's possible for undrafted players to make an impact. First, though, they have to make the 53-man roster. Because of that, all of this is purely speculative, but some undrafted skill position players stick out this year.

Mario Fannin, RB, Denver Broncos
Despite just signing veteran Willis McGahee, Fannin could get a decent shot in Denver. Knowshon Moreno has been injured and inconsistent, McGahee is almost 30 and Lendale White is Lendale White. If Fannin can hold onto the ball a little better, he has great size and ability. To boot, he's got excellent hands to catch the ball.

Cameron Graham, TE, Tennessee Titans
Jared Cook is an up-and-coming tight end for the Titans, but the team doesn't have much else. Neither Daniel Graham or Craig Stevens are much of a factor receiving. If Cameron Graham gets a shot, he could get around 20 receptions and a few touchdowns.

DeAndre Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles may be signing players left and right, but haven't done much at the wide receiver position. Currently, DeSean Jackson is holding out and Jeremy Maclin is down a reported 30 pounds after battling mono. Also in Brown's favor is that the team doesn't have a wide receiver with his size. He could steal a few touchdowns in the red zone, especially if tight end Brent Celek struggles some again.

Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Chicago Bears
One of the more highly sought after undrafted players, Sanzenbacher made the right choice by going to Chicago. In the Mike Martz offense, Sanzenbacher could be an excellent slot option for the Bears. He has good hands and solid quickness. He could battle Earl Bennett for playing time, and probably overtake him.

Have another UDFA skill position player who will make an impact this season? Let us know in the comments.

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sanzenbacher overtaking bennett? i dont think so

he’s the bears best all-around receiver, he can block, he had 50 catches and NO drops last year. Sanzenbacher might make the roster, but he won’t see much playing time, unless someone gets injured.

by southsiders on Aug 2, 2011 8:27 PM EDT reply actions

Are you kidding me?

Sanzenbacher has the best name ever, I would cut Earl Bennet just so I could say “Sanzenbacher” everyday

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Aug 2, 2011 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Fanin was a good choice for Denver

but he has an uphill battle to make the roster. McGahee and Moreno are locks, and then there’s Lendale White who’s trimmed down and by all reports has done pretty well. And supposedly the best RB in all of camp is Jeremiah Johnson. Yeah I have no clue who he is either but people have been saying he’s been breaking huge runs inside and out. Fanin has done pretty well as well but I don’t know if he can beat out White and Johnson. But Fox said he likes to judge players on games, more so then practice, so if he can string a couple good preseason games he might have a shot at being on the 45 man roster

If you reply to a comment/post/fanshot of mine, I will more likely then not respond to it, unless you come off like a d-bag.

by DBroncs1414 on Aug 2, 2011 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

RB Donald Buckram in Cleveland.

Chad Spann or Darren Evans in Indy.

Sidney Rice: Superstar.

by Misfit74 on Aug 2, 2011 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

Buckram failed his physical and wasn’t signed

by HenryDawg on Aug 3, 2011 12:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Fannin

Was always a good player at Auburn. The coaches just got so frustrated by his fumbles that he was relegated to pass blocking duty by mid-season. Hope he can hang on to the ball so he can show all his talent.

If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik

by Bestjagfan on Aug 3, 2011 12:41 AM EDT reply actions

Slightly OT, but do you think Tori Gurley can make the squad in GB? Jennings, Driver, Jones, Nelson, and Cobb are locked in as the top 5 WRs, and the team may not keep any more. But can Gurley contribute on STs? If so, he could certainly beat out Brett Swain and might be able to bump one of the TEs and convince the team to keep 6 WRs.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

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by Omaha Sun on Aug 3, 2011 1:15 AM EDT reply actions

For the Ravens we have not yet signed a vet backup at RB, so Berry from Miami has been getting some looks and has as good as shot as anyone right now to be our number two back this year. He was the first undrafted guy we signed and from what I have heard has looked really good so far.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Aug 4, 2011 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, yeah.

You lost both McGahee and McClain this offseason, so Rice is the only ball carrier left.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Aug 4, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah and so far I haven’t even heard of us talking to another RB. They really like Berry and our 7th round draft pick Anthony Allen, so we just got to see what they decide to do.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Aug 5, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Rice is going to have a huge year if he stays healthy.

No more splitting carries with the old guys and Leach clearing the way?

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Aug 5, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I’m really liking him for fantasy.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Aug 5, 2011 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions