One of the most politically correct statements in our industry is saying a player is better in real life than fantasy. While many of those players can also be functional in our world, it is generally a nice way of downgrading a player without tearing them completely apart. Anthony Sherman is a helpful player in the real NFL. His blocking helped Jamaal Charles have a career season and he served as a useful outlet receiver for Alex Smith. However, his fantasy numbers were dreadful, as he carried the ball twice all year while catching only 18 passes. But sometimes a player who earns credibility gains the right to a bigger slice of the pie. Can Sherman be a winner at the bargain basement bake sale?
Fantasy Upside
In Kansas City’s victory in Jacksonville last year, Sherman led the team in receiving. Outside of Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs use a spread the wealth approach, which means that anyone could step up on a given week, although Dwayne Bowe is still Alex Smith’s number one target. With former slot receiver Dexter McCluster now in Tennessee, maybe Sherman will catch more passes.
Fantasy Downside
Aside from being a checkdown receiver for Smith, Sherman has no role in the Kansas City offense aside from blocking. He is a limited athlete. Maybe he would get some carries if an injury epidemic struck the backfield, but the odds of that are very slim.
Bottom Line
If you draft Sherman, you might as well attend a lollipop party because you will be the biggest sucker at your draft. He will end up on the waiver wire in pretty much every format. In the unlikely event he lands a bigger role in the Kansas City attack, you know where to find him.
