Because a lot of fantasy season’s ended this past week, we are going to do a different upgrade article this week.  This article will focus on players that have looked sharp lately but whose stock could still be low next season based on their entire season’s performance.

QB Matt Hasselbeck (Sea) – He has been the 4^th best fantasy quarterback over the last 4 weeks throwing for 1,251 yards and 7 TDs during that span.  The potential that many (us included) saw for Matt last year is finally being realized.  Because he currently stands as just the 22^nd best QB for the season, we expect Matt to be overlooked next season.  Trent Dilfer will be back from injury, but we still believe Matt gives this team the best chance to win each week.  And the fact that he will come dirt cheap makes him extremely attractive.

QB Brad Johnson (TB) – The word is starting to get out that Brad Johnson is having a great season.  He ranks as just the 14^th best QB for the season, but has been hot the last 3 weeks, throwing for 805 yards and 6 TDs.  His QB rating during these last three weeks is an impressive 98.5.  Expect the Bucs to get better offensively next season as Gruden implements more and more of his offensive plays from Oakland.  Brad Johnson is not flashy, but looks like he will be an undervalued player again next season.

QB Kerry Collins (NYG) – In the last 4 weeks, Kerry Collins has not thrown an interception.  And during that time, he has amassed 1,051 passing yards and 8 TDs for a QB rating of 110.2.  And this after losing Ike Hilliard and Ron Dixon to injuries.  Kerry Collins is currently in 14^th place for the season and will likely get drafted around that spot next season.  He could be a big bargain if he can continue to play at the high level he has shown lately.

QB Chad Pennington (NYJ) – Everytime I have watched this guy play, I am impressed with his decision making in the pocket.  He is clearly entrenched as the starter with this franchise and seems to get better each week.  He currently sits as the 16^th best QB for the season, but that was because Vinny Testaverde started the season.  In the last 4 weeks, he has been just the 11^th best fantasy QB, but some of that has been due to the Jets not needing to throw a lot with leads late in the game.  During these last 4 games, Chad’s QB rating has been an impressive 104.0 as he has thrown for 1001 yards and 7 TDs against just 1 interception.

RB Clinton Portis (Den) – Over the last 4 weeks, Clinton Portis has been the hottest per game RB.  Even better than Priest Holmes.  He ranks 6^th overall at the RB position this season despite not starting the year as the starter (because of fumbling woes).  In the last 4 weeks, he has 580 combined yards and 7 TDs.  His rushing average during these 4 games is an amazing 5.5 yards per carry.  Priest Holmes, Ladainian Tomlinson, Ricky Williams, Deuce McAllister and Marshall Faulk may all get drafted above Clinton Portis next year, but that will likely be a mistake.  This kid is special and getting better.

RB Marcel Shipp (Ari) – As the announcers were commentating how slow this guy was in week 15, Marcel was scoring on an 80 yard TD reception.  He may not be fast, but he has great instincts.  Thomas Jones is officially a bust and will not get another chance to prove what he can do for the Cardinals.  Marcel Shipp will be the every down starter next year and despite his lack of speed could be successful running behind a large offensive line (that has been hurt all year).  Marcel ranks as the 20^th best RB this season, but has been hot the last 4 weeks.  He ranks as the 8^th best fantasy back during that time and has amassed 483 yards and 3 TDs in those 4 games. 

RB DeShaun Foster (Car) – He did not play all season, but should be the starter going into camp next season.  With the latest success of Dee Brown (5 TDs in the last 4 weeks) filling in for a suspended Lamar Smith, we think DeShaun Foster could shine next year behind a pretty good run blocking offensive line.

WR Laveranues Coles (NYJ) – This player just keeps getting better.  Chad Pennington continues to look for Coles and for great reason – He catches the ball.  In the last 6 weeks, Coles has been the 6^th best fantasy WR with 26 catches for 433 yards and 2 TDs.  For the season he is the 13^th best fantasy WR.  He has come along way since being the other receiver opposite of Peter Warrick at Florida State.  Let everyone else tell you he is under-sized.  He more than makes up for that with good routes and blazing speed.

WR Derrius Thompson (Was) – One of these years, the Fun-N-Gun will produce huge fantasy numbers.  It likely will be with a QB better than Matthews or Weurffel, but it will happen.  Derrius Thompson has quietly been on a tear the last 4 weeks posting numbers reflective of the 7^th best fantasy WR during that time.  This includes 24 catches for 359 yards and 3 TDs.  Pretty impressive for a WR #2 that has had spotty QB play all season.  For the season, Derrius Thompson ranks as just the 38^th best WR (he did not always start).  We expect him to be significantly under-valued in drafts next season.

WR Travis Taylor (Bal) – Travis is starting to realize the potential that has eluded him last season.  Over the past 4 weeks, Travis has performed like the 8^th best WR catching 16 passes for 277 yards and 3 TDs.  He also has 59 yards rushing on 6 attempts.  For the season, Travis ranks as the 24^th best WR.  Look for the Billick coached Ravens to get more offensive minded after dumping all of their salaries last season.  Travis Taylor could be a big steal in drafts next year.

WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) – Because of the devasting hit that forced Darrell to miss a lot of action, he ranks as just the 41^st fantasy WR this year.  But in the last 4 weeks, he is the 10^th receiver.  And his teammate Koren Robinson has been the 9^th best WR during that span.  Teams aren’t sure who to double anymore and Darrell Jackson will benefit.  During these last 4 weeks, Darrell has caught 21 passes for 318 yards and 3 TDs.  We expect he will be very undervalued next season as people forget how special he is.

TE Doug Jolley (Oak) – Despite posting numbers equal to just the 19^th best fantasy TE this season, Doug Jolley has looked very sharp lately.  In his last 3 games, he has not scored, but he has 224 receiving yards (14 catches) during that time. In the high-powered Oakland offense, everyone is a target and Jolley is no different.  He could be a definite gem next season as the team seems to losing interest in Roland Williams ever being more than just a blocker.

TE Jeremy Stevens (Sea) – Jeremy was drafted high, but was injured on and off all season.  He currently ranks as just the 21^st best tight end for the season, but has showed flashes of being very good.  He has 150 yards and 2 TDs over the last 4 weeks and ranks 9^th among fantasy tight ends during that period.

PK Jeff Reed (Pit) – Over the last three weeks, Jeff Reed has been the top kicker in the league making 11 field goals (missing just 1) and adding 4 extra points for a whopping 12.33 ppg average.  For the season, Jeff ranks just 32^nd place as he joined the team late after Peterson faltering.  He could be a giant steal in drafts next year.

PK Matt Bryant (NYG) – Over the last four weeks, Matt has been the #2 fantasy kicker in the league.  He has made 9 of 10 attempts and added a shopping 14 extra points during this span.  It has moved him all the way up to the 12^th best kicker for the season, but no one has noticed.  He will go deep in drafts next year.

PK John Hall (NYJ) – The offense is clicking and John Hall has delivered when they have needed him most.  Over the last four weeks, John Hall has made 9 of 10 FG attempts and added 7 extra points to be the 6^th best fantasy PK during this time.  For the season he ranks as just the 14^th best kicker and will likely be drafted around that position next year.  Talks of John Hall being cut seem very distant right now.