The term FLEX player in fantasy football doesn't necessarily mean that you look for an individual that can provide receptions and rushing yards. That's not the way it works.
That being said, it does happen that way at times. Is Darren Sproles a RB1 or RB2 option? If not, he's a perfect fit to start at the FLEX position. What about up-and-comers such as LaMichael James with the San Francisco 49ers or Dexter McCluster with the Kansas City Chiefs? Are they truly FLEX options or just bench players?
This list is small, but still worthy of mentioning as we enter full-scale fantasy football draft season. Let's take a look at a few different options that might be flying under the radar.
Darren Sproles, Running Back, New Orleans Saints
2012 Statistics: 9.5 TPG, 244 rushing yards, 75 receptions, 667 yards and eight touchdowns.
ADP: 37.49
Sproles' decrease in touches this past season has to be worrisome. It seems that the Saints went away from him and more to the combination of Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas in 2012. In fact, Sproles averaged just over three rush attempts per game. That's obviously not going to cut it as a RB1 or RB2 option, even in PPR leagues.
He is still a solid FLEX option, but his 37.49 ADP slotting has to be worrisome as well. When selecting someone in the beginning of the fourth round in standard 12-team leagues, you expect him to start and not at the FLEX position. While Sproles' average of 7.4 yards per touch is great, you should avoid him.
Reggie Bush, Running Back, Detroit Lions
2012 Statistics: 16.4 TPG, 986 rushing yards, 35 receptions, 292 yards and eight touchdowns.
ADP: 39.79
Bush was pretty solid as Miami's primary running back over the past two seasons. He tallied nearly 2,700 total yards and 15 touchdowns during that span, which made him a solid RB2 option. He also averaged over 17 touches per game in those two seasons.
You simply cannot expect him to see the ball as much with Mikel Leshoure healthy and ready to go for the Lions in 2013. The former second-round pick averaged 17.8 touches last season. For comparison's sake, Miami's secondary options last season (Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller) combined for just 10 touches per game in 2012.
By virtue of what promises to be a decreased workload, Bush is no longer a viable RB2 option.
He can still, however, be a great FLEX option in standard and PPR leagues. He is averaging 4.1 receptions per game in the NFL, numbers that take into account relatively weak performances in those categories with the Dolphins. Numbers that promise to increase with the Lions' pass-happy offense. Expect Bush to put up 1,000 total yards and between five and seven touchdowns. Still, it might be hard to justify his ADP based on what I mentioned above.
Dexter McCluster, Running Back/ Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
2012 Statistics: 4.0 TPG, 70 rushing yards, 52 receptions, 452 yards and one touchdown
ADP: 244.92
As I indicated in an earlier article, Kansas City's previous regime failed to utilize McCluster properly. You can see a breakdown of his fall off from 2011 to 2012 here.
In short, he went from 10 touches per game in 2011 to just four this past season. In addition, McCluster's rush attempts dropped from 114 to 12. That's not exactly what I would call a sexy fantasy option.
Enter into the equation the additions of Andy Reid as Kansas City's head coach and Alex Smith, as its new starting quarterback, who will do wonders for McCluster's fantasy stock.
Smith loves to use his running backs out of the backfield and his slot guys in the passing game. He's also about as accurate as you can get on intermediate routes, which bodes well for McCluster. The former second-round pick averaged 5.3 yards per touch back in 2011. If he can continue to put out that type of production with more touches, McCluster will be a solid under-the-radar FLEX or bench option.
LaMichael James, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers
2012 Statistics: 7.5 TPG, 125 rushing yards, three receptions, 30 yards and zero touchdowns
ADP: 168.25
San Francisco plans on lowering Frank Gore's workload this upcoming season. As one of the best running backs of his generation, Gore is facing a real possibility of slowing down in 2013. He turned 30 last month, which is a key age as it relates to regression for running backs in the NFL. In order to avoid that regression, Jim Harbaugh and Co. aren't going to rely on Gore as much.
As a result, Kendall Hunter and James will see more touches.
James was pretty much redshirted for the first three quarters of his rookie season before San Francisco released Brandon Jacobs and Hunter went down with a season-ending injury. This made the Oregon product valuable behind Gore down the stretch, and he produced. Including the postseason, James averaged 6.2 touches and 32.8 yards per outing. While not great numbers, they do tell us a story that he'll be more productive this upcoming season.
It's important to remember, that while small in stature, James was a workhorse for Oregon in college. He averaged 22.2 touches and 153.2 yards per game in Eugene. Equally as important, James seems to fit what the 49ers like to do on offense. He'll be an impact performer with Colin Kaepernick in the pistol and will likely be relied on to get the ball in space. If James averages just 10 touches per outing, he'll be a solid under-the-radar fantasy option, especially where he is currently going in drafts.
Here are a couple other decent flex options:
Davone Bess, Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
Jacquizz Rodgers, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons
Chris Harper, Wide Receiver, Seattle Seahawks
Cole Beasley, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys