2012 Fantasy Football Solid/Safe Picks
Solid/Safe Pick: A player with good potential and low risk. Players in this category are statistically consistent from year to year. From our Fantasy Football Dictionary
We have classified the following players as Safe Picks for 2012. We will be updating this list throughout the pre-season.
| Name | Pos | Team | Age | Yrs Exp. |
Pos. Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles Austin | WR | DAL | 28 | 6 | WR - #16 |
| Generated decent production despite hamstring issues and a crowded receiver situation. Fantasy owners were expecting more. Austin enters this season in the middle of the WR2 pack though reports of renewed focus to offseason training could have him primed for a rankings rise by preseason. Expect numbers closer to his last full season (69-1041-7) rather than his 2009... Read More | |||||
| Antonio Brown | WR | PIT | 24 | 2 | WR - #26 |
| The second-year WR from Central Michigan was one of the true breakout performers in 2011. He finished with 69 catches for 1,109 yards (69 YPG), but only had two TDs. Brown is very explosive WR (16 YPC in 2011) and is locked in as the WR2 for a Steelers offense expected to more passing friendly in 2012. Brown posted three 100+ yard games over the final 10 weeks of l... Read More | |||||
| Marques Colston | WR | NO | 29 | 6 | WR - #21 |
| Marques Colston has been remarkably consistent since being drafted by the Saints, and should continue to put up excellent fantasy numbers going forward. The Saints wide receiver is a virtual lock for somewhere around 75 catches, 1050 yards, and 8 touchdowns (if he is able to stay healthy). The emergence of Jimmy Graham did not hurt Colston's numbers in 2011, and s... Read More | |||||
| Michael Crabtree | WR | SF | 25 | 3 | WR - #38 |
| The 49ers made receiver a position of priority this offseason. The new additions, rather than stealing valuable looks from Crabtree, will help occupy defenses and free him up. A three-wide set with Crabtree, Mario Manningham and Randy Moss could be devastating.... Read More | |||||
| Eric Decker | WR | DEN | 26 | 2 | WR - #25 |
| Decker is one of the biggest targets for Peyton Manning. Decker played well last season under Kyle Orton. For Decker to be successful this season he needs to really learn Denver's new playbook and be ready to learn from Manning. Decker will play opposite Thomas and this combination could prove to be highly effective. Decker must be up for the challenge and produce ... Read More | |||||
| Pierre Garcon | WR | WAS | 26 | 4 | WR - #32 |
| Garcon amazingly nearly totaled 1,000 yards in the dreadful Colts offense last season. The Redskns paid a steep cost to land the free agent, who now must prove his skills translate into the number one target role. Despite his real life price tag and run after the catch skills, learning a new system and a rookie quarterback makes Garcon no lock for WR2 status. Howev... Read More | |||||
| Percy Harvin | WR | SEA | 24 | 3 | WR - #10 |
| The Vikings need to get the ball in the dynamic playmakers hands as much as possible. Despite playing only 58% of offensive snaps, Harvin set career-highs in receptions (87), receiving yards (967), and rushing yards (345) and finished 2nd to Wes Welker in yards after the catch (616). Injury concerns continue as the migraine issues and offseason shoulder surgery are... Read More | |||||
| DeSean Jackson | WR | PHI | 26 | 4 | WR - #29 |
| Jackson's home run receiving style often leads to all or nothing fantasy numbers. The nothing's - or at least the mediocre's - outweighed the all's last season. His stats dropped - yards and scores for the second straight campaign – with no 100-yard receiving games after Week 4. Explosiveness remains and perhaps Jackson's new contract upgrades his motivation ... Read More | |||||
| Vincent Jackson | WR | TB | 30 | 7 | WR - #24 |
| Vincent Jackson posesses every physical tool necessary to develop into an elite fantasy wide receiver, but it is hard to imagine that after leaving San Diego as a free agent this past offseason, that it will happen now in a new system with a new less-experienced quarterback. Despite eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving in three of the last four seasons, Jackson has neve... Read More | |||||
| Andre Johnson | WR | HOU | 31 | 9 | WR - #4 |
| Johnson had by far the worst season of his nine-year career in 2011, finishing with 33 receptions for 492 yards and two touchdowns in seven games. When on the field Johnson is a top-5 receiver, but his inability over the past two seasons to remain healthy is cause for concern. Fantasy owners can't have their stud receiver missing significant time due to injury - an... Read More | |||||
| Stevie Johnson | WR | BUF | 26 | 4 | WR - #27 |
| 2011 validated Steve Johnson's status as a bonafide star after a breakout 2010 performance. Johnson now has back-to-back seasons with at least 76 receptions, 1,000-plus receiving yards and seven touchdowns. When the new season begins, Johnson will only be 26 years old and entering his prime. The Bills' roster is chock full of underachieving wide receivers, leaving... Read More | |||||
| Brandon Lloyd | WR | --- | 31 | 9 | WR - #20 |
| With Rob Gronkowski injured in the Super Bowl, the Patriots saw that they needed more weapons in the passing game. In comes Brandon Lloyd, who followed offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to New England from their previous stops. Over the past two years (under Mcdaniel's watch), Lloyd has had the best 2 seasons of his none-year NFL career. Lloyd will help the Patr... Read More | |||||
| Jeremy Maclin | WR | PHI | 25 | 3 | WR - #19 |
| Entered 2011 battling a mystery illness. Ended the season leading the Eagles in receptions. Missed three games or likely would have topped 1,000 yards for the first time as a pro. The safer of the Philly starting receivers and yet his skill set pops. Entering camp healthy should boost Maclin's numbers. Strong second fantasy receiver.... Read More | |||||
| Jordy Nelson | WR | GB | 27 | 4 | WR - #11 |
| Will Jordy Nelson score 15 touchdowns again this year? Probably not, but it is possible for him to improve upon his 68 receptions last year. Head coach Mike McCarthy has already stated he wants to use Nelson more often in the slot, which should provide James Jones more opportunities. Nelson is a low-risk draft choice, but it all depends on where he is selected. If ... Read More | |||||
| Steve Smith | WR | CAR | 34 | 11 | WR - #12 |
| Steve Smith experienced a renaissance year with rookie Cam Newton under center last season. Smith eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving for the first time since 2008, finishing the season with 79 receptions for 1,394 yards and seven touchdowns. As a result of his resurgence, Smith was rewarded by Carolina with a three-year contract extension in the offseason. At age 33, S... Read More | |||||
| Demaryius Thomas | WR | DEN | 25 | 2 | WR - #17 |
| Thomas had a solid second part of last season under Tim Tebow. He will now have to get used to Peyton Manning, and fast. For Thomas to be effective he will need to elevate his level of play and constantly work to improve. Thomas has great natural ability and will be a solid wide out this season if he can work with Manning's systems and get to where he needs to be o... Read More | |||||
| Reggie Wayne | WR | IND | 34 | 11 | WR - #23 |
| Reggie Wayne returns to the Colts as the lone offensive star from the Colt's glory days. The veteran wide receiver has a big name, but fantasy owners need to realize that despite Andrew Luck now running the Colts offense, Wayne will not put up the same numbers he did with Peyton Manning. The former Pro Bowler should be considered a low end WR2 or high end WR3 for t... Read More | |||||
