Sleeper Watch - 1 comments

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Barring a miracle remedy to the Vincent Jackson vs. the San Diego Chargers fiasco, Legedu Naanee will finally get his chance to make his mark in the NFL.  As a fifth round pick in the 2007 NFL draft, Naanee has quietly gone about his business. Given that the Chargers had several skilled wide receivers, Naanee was unable to move up the depth chart. However, the departure of Chris Chambers in 2009 changed the playing field. Up until that point, Naanee had just 24 balls thrown his way; he caught 16 of them. Last year, he was targeted 29 times, catching 24 balls, 2 of them for touchdowns. Bottom line, Naanee catches what is thrown at him.

Vincent Jackson’s holdout has provided Naanee with an even greater opportunity. Listed weeks ago as the starting flanker for the Chargers, he has flown under the radar of almost all fantasy players, not even registering on most ADP lists. In the opening preseason game for San Diego, Naanee was targeted downfield 3 times by Philip Rivers and converted one of those into a 28 yard touchdown catch. In contrast, Malcom Floyd was not targeted at all but is currently being drafted in the 6th round of redraft leagues.

Is Naanee as good as Vincent Jackson? I wouldn’t go that far, but I feel that he is better than Malcolm Floyd.  If Jackson and the Chargers do not mend their differences, I firmly believe Legedu Naanee has an excellent shot at finishing the 2010 season second only in receptions and receiving touchdowns to Antonio Gates for the Chargers.

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