Mark Ingram could provide great value in 2015

There are multiple under-the-radar players worthy of early-round selections in 2015 fantasy football drafts. Here’s one player at the quarterback and running back positions that you should be targeting on draft day. The following players carry the potential for monster seasons, despite the fact that they could be had in later rounds.

Quarterback

Tony Romo – Cowboys
2014 Stats – 15 Games, 3705 Passing Yards, 34 Passing TDs, 9 INTs, 61 Rush Yards, 266.30 Fantasy points in standard leagues

Romo averaged a cool 17.75 points per contest last season. He missed a top 10 finish at his position by 3.3 points. Had Romo played that 16th game, he was primed for a top 8 season among all quarterbacks. He led the league in completion percentage, passer rating, and total QBR in 2014. Looking to the 2015 campaign, there is a lot to like about Romo. Here are three reasons to believe the hype.

• Most importantly, he is healthy. Romo finished out 2014 with a playoff win vs. Detroit and a loss at Green Bay. He totaled 484 passing yards, 4 pass TDs and 0 INTs over those 2 games.

• The offensive line is elite. Romo averaged the highest yards per attempt last season due to the time he was granted in the pocket to survey the field. He threw only 9 INTs because he was rarely rushed into a hurried throw. His offensive line is talented enough that he can sit back and make the correct decision on most plays.

• The third reason to love Romo is Dez Bryant. Bryant hauled in 16 touchdowns last season, and is a complete red-zone animal. Defenses that double #88 leave ample room for guys like Terrance Williams, Jason Witten, or whoever is in the backfield to get open. The loss of DeMarco Muray won’t affect Romo’s numbers as much as one may think. Romo is locked in for a top 10 finish at the position if he can stay healthy. Don’t hurry to draft the likes of Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan, or Cam Newton. If you miss out on Luck/Rodgers, stockpile talent at other positions and jump on the Romo bandwagon.

Running Back

Mark Ingram – Saints
2014 Stats – 13 Games, 964 Rush Yards, 4.3 yards per rush, 9 rush TDs, 29 receptions, 145 receiving yards, 162.9 fantasy points in standard leagues

Ingram placed 15th among RBs last season despite playing only 13 games. He reached the end zone in 70% of his games last season and totaled 85 yards per contest. He easily would have eclipsed the double-digit touchdown threshold had he played a full season. I’m really into Ingram’s stock heading into the 2015 season. Here’s why.

• Once again, most importantly, he is healthy. Ingram missed Weeks 3, 4, and 5 last season due to injury. However, once he returned from injury he played in each game. Additionally, he played in the Pro Bowl, which players don’t do unless they are at full health. Ingram was a beast when healthy last year, as he turned in his best pro season. Lastly, Ingram is only 25 years old and still has fresh legs after only 226 carries last season.

• The departure of Jimmy Graham, Kenny Stills, Pierre Thomas, and Travaris Cadet leave yards, targets, and touchdowns up for grabs. A lot of this work figures to go to Ingram, as the Saints seem to be shifting to a more run-balanced approach. With Drew Brees leading the attack, defenses can never stack the box, leaving Ingram with great opportunities to cash in chunks of yards. C.J. Spiller did join the scene, but he should only steal the occasional handoffs as a change-of-pace back. He may eat some of the RB targets from Brees, but Ingram did most of his damage on the ground anyway.

• The Saints drafted Andrus Peat and brought in Max Unger in the Graham trade. Ingram was able to average 4.3 yards per rush last season without these guys. Imagine what he can do with this upgrade at O-line, a clean bill of health, and ample opportunities coming his way. Don’t feel you are reaching for Ingram if you take him in the late third or early fourth rounds.

Daniel Oppenheimer is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Daniel, follow him @DanOpp31.