Under the Radar (for now)

Drafting a fantasy football team can be pretty easy – at least in the first few rounds. If you’re picking No. 1, you’re taking Chris Johnson this year.
Anyone can stick to a rating sheet and have fairly good success in the early rounds.
But what about some of those guys you’ve never heard of whom you may pass on because a bigger “name” is out there.
Sometimes it’s better to have an eye on some lesser-known names you may be able to steal in later rounds. Some of these names may unfortunately jump to a higher level of prominence throughout training camp and exhibition games, but they're worth keeping an eye on if they dont.
Here are a few to keep on your radar:

Montario Hardesty, RB, Cleveland
Jerone Harrison hasn’t signed his contract tender yet, meaning the the rookie out of Tennessee is at least getting the chance to nudge his way into some carries.
Before last season, Harrison was a little-known name, and what’s to say he wasn’t a one-year fluke?
The 5-11 1/2, 225-pound Hardesty is considered a “banger” by the Browns and could end up stealing some goalline carries and will like steal some others along the way. He’s not a bad fourth or fifth running back option on your roster and could wind up being a good No. 2 back or flex option by the end of the season.

Derek Anderson, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Yes, I know you invested a somewhat early-round pick on Anderson in 2008 only to have him on the waiver wire in a matter of weeks.
But take a look at the Cardinals’ situation under center, and Anderson could turn into a more-than-viable backup signal caller for your team. With Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston to throw to, Anderson could look like his 2008 self when Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow were catching a load of passes.
Obviously, Anderson will have to beat out Matt Leinart for the starting job, but Leinart hasn’t exactly been a dominant NFL QB during his time in the league.
Monitor the situation, but don’t be shy about making Anderson one of your last picks in this year’s draft if Leinart plays like he has in recent years.

Early Doucet, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Obviously, the quarterback situation will play into his performance this season, but with Breaston and Fitzgerald as the Nos. 1 and 2 receiving options, Doucet could be in for a third-wheel performance a la Breaston in recent years.
The third-year receiver will have the opportunity to be on the field a lot in three-receiver sets, but one can only hope Leinart or Anderson doesn’t rely too heavily on Fitzgerald – a likely assumption, because who wouldn’t rely on his sticky fingers?
Doucet could be a good first-off-your-bench receiver find in late rounds.

Alge Crumpler, TE, New England Patriots
He was once considered one of the top tight ends in the league (outside of the Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez group at the top), but his numbers have fallen considerably in recent years.
A change of scenery didn’t make him a star in Tennessee, but a new scenery that has Tom Brady throwing you the football doesn’t hurt.
The Pats did draft two tight ends this offseason, but Crumpler looks to be primed for a starting role in Foxboro this fall.
This has the makings of a bounce-back season for Crumpler, but a lot depends on how much Brady relies on Wes Welker and Randy Moss – and to a lesser extend Julian Edelman.
He’s worth a third-to-last round pick because your kicker and defense should be found in those last two rounds.

Free agents' decisions could affect your season

While NFL teams still look over the free agent market, chances are there aren’t many names fantasy football owners are focused on.
Most of the names you want to know about already have a team and a role, but there are some free agents whose new homes could affect your draft day strategy.

Quarterback
J.P. Losman
Losman has the Tommie Maddox mystique about him. Never finding a groove in the NFL, Maddox went on to be the MVP of the short-lived XFL. Losman had the same troubled NFL start and ended up being a star in the first season of the UFL. He won’t be a starter for anybody right away, but he has the potential to have a standout season if he ends up on a team with an injured QB. I could see him being Sam Bradford insurance in St. Louis – and the Rams know a thing or two about QBs from lesser leagues stepping in for an injured quarterback. You know, that grocery bagging Arena Football League guy who brought the Gateway City a Lombardi Trophy.

Running Back
Aaron Stecker
Stecker has had a taste of fantasy football success in the past – mostly as an injury fill-in with the Saints. That’s exactly why he’s at least worth keeping on your radar. He’ll never be a star in the league, but he could end up being a must-have handcuff if he ends up being the No. 2 option behind your first- or second-round pick.

Wide Receiver
Terrell Owens
The malcontent is a gamble no matter what team he goes to, but he’ll never be a horrible bench receiver if you can land him late without reaching for him or hoping he becomes your No. 2 receiver.
T.O.’s biggest effect on fantasy football could be to the other receivers of the team he ends up with. Put him in a situation where you have a borderline crew of receivers, and it could make the entire group not worth your time.

Tight End
Billy Miller
The "he may be pretty good" mystique of Miller has worn off, but there could still be something there. Put in the right situation, he could turn into a decent bye-week tight end.

Kicker
Matt Stover
Stover is one of those guys nobody drafts but ends up being a starter by Week 5 or 6. There’s no reason to think that, even if he doesn’t break camp with a team, he won’t be kicking for some team this season. NFL teams love to fire kickers after a few missed shots and scour the scrap heap for a replacement. Stover should be at the top of that heap.