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5 High-Value Fantasy Football Players In 2014

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- It's what we all seek in every day aspects of life---value---and fantasy football is no different. Drafting a top player in the later rounds provides tremendous value for an owner, which is a crucial part of building a championship contender. The question is, who are those players?

5. EJ Manuel - QB, BUF

Buffalo Bills v Indianapolis Colts
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Manuel played in just ten games in his rookie season last year, throwing 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions and a little less than 2,000 yards. The duel threat QB also ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns, always a valuable asset in fantasy football. In 2014, the Bills added rookie WR Sammy Watkins and veteran WR Mike Williams. In year two, with a presumably healthier C.J. Spiller, Manuel could be a viable starting fantasy QB.

4. Kyle Rudolph - TE, MIN

Minnesota Vikings v Chicago Bears
(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Norv Turner loves tight ends. Last year, Jordan Cameron went bananas under Turner catching 80 balls for 817 yards and nine touchdowns. This year, Turner is the offensive coordinator for the Vikings. Rudolph is entering his fourth NFL season---a contract year.

3. Andre Ellington - RB, ARZ

Arizona Cardinals v Jacksonville Jaguars
(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Ellington took over as the Cardinals featured back midway through last season, his rookie year. Ellington only got 118 carries in 2013, averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and he was excellent after contact. Bruce Arians will look to rely heavily on Ellington in 2014.

2. Ladarius Green - TE, SD

Wild Card Playoffs - San Diego Chargers v Cincinnati Bengals
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Ladarius Green, 24, is 6'6" and runs a 4.53 40-yard dash. Last season, his second year in the NFL, Green caught only 17 balls (three touchdowns). However, he showed signs of emerging during a three-week stretch where he caught nine balls for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Antonio Gates, the Chargers other tight end, is 34 years old. It's time for San Diego to begin the passing of the torch.

1. Montee Ball - RB, DEN

Washington Redskins v Denver Broncos
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Knowshon Moreno was a top-five fantasy running back last season as the Broncos featured back. Moreno is now a Dolphin. Ball, as a rookie in 2013, had 559 rushing yards on 120 carries, and four touchdowns. Ball is the most talented back on the Broncos now, a team that puts up a ton of points.

 

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