Here is some fantasy football news for you fantasy football sleeper hawks. You're now put on notice; Jerome Simpson could end up being the Bengals #1 guy next year. If anything else a strong #2 WR.
Last year when Jerome Simpson took over for an injured Ochocinco he posted 18 catches for 247 yards and 3 TD's in just two games. Drafted in the second round his potential seemed to shine when he finally got the opportunity. If anything else I'm drafting Simpson even if Ochocinco and or TO stays with the Bengals. Ochocinco's production has fallen and with age comes injury, this makes Jerome Simpson a nice bench stash in deeper leagues given the upside and potential for a large roll regardless of the WR line up.
Some Sources:
- Head coach Marvin Lewis said here "I think he (Jerome Simpson) can be as good as any receiver in the National Football League. But now, he's got to keep taking steps to learn and the adjustments you have to do, but he's got that kind of quality."
- Receivers coach James Urban confirms here "I'm excited what Jay [Gruden] has planned for him," said Urban. "It's just a matter of letting that natural ability to take over."
Terrell Owens is a free agent and probably won't be back with the Bengals (source). It's still up in the air if Chad Ochocinco will be back, but my outlook for Jerome Simpson is better with a bonafide WR running with him. Another point to consider is Jerome Simpson is in his final year of his rookie deal. The Bengals have a host of other young WR's in Cincinnati like Andre Caldwell and Jordan Shipley but if the end of last year is a sign of things to come Jerome Simpson is the sleeper to own in Cincinnati.
