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As the first week of the fantasy football postseason gets underway, it becomes essential for those lucky enough to be in playoffs to find even the smallest edge to move on to the next round. While it may seem somewhat futile to consult the waiver wire at this point, there are still a plethora of underrated players that have only recently emerged as viable fantasy assets. With untimely injuries occurring at the worst possible moments, it is essential to at least have a working knowledge of every NFL teams depth to discover a hidden gem that could be decisive in helping you achieve a coveted victory.
Team: Washington Redskins
Position: Wide Receiver
Percent Owned By Fantasy Teams: (Yahoo Fantasy): 3%
Fantasy Points Total Thru Week 13 (Half PPR): Projected: 48.67 Actual: 65.70
With wide receiver Terrelle Pryor out for the remainder of the season, wideout Ryan Grant has stepped into a much more prominent role as a trusted offensive weapon for the Redskins. Although he may not be the most prolific receiver in the NFL, he is actually one of the most reliable receivers in the league (72% catch rate, 8th amongst receivers). Better still, Grant is at his best in the red zone (seven red zone receptions, 7th amongst receivers), which elevates his fantasy value when it comes to his targets in the end zone (four receiving touchdowns).
While it’s clear that Grant has the abilities to be a potent touchdown scorer, it’s his presence on the field for the majority of the Redskins pass plays (on the field for 37 pass plays per game, 14th amongst receivers) that provides him with the coveted opportunities to produce consistently. Despite averaging just 4.2 targets per game, Grant saw a recent uptick in his looks as he was targeted nine times in the Redskins most recent loss to the Dallas Cowboys. While this type of target volume will not be consistent with Grant, it does display the trust Kirk Cousins has in his young wideout to make big plays when he is called upon.
When all is said and done, Ryan Grant is a flashy albeit fairly inconsistent wideout that has a strong presence in the red zone when he is on the field. Although Grant has struggled mightily against strong defenses, his value increases exponentially when is matched up against poor secondaries, allowing him to be occasionally slotted into a flex position on a fantasy roster that is in need of an asset that can exceed their projected point total on one play.
