Fantasy Football: The All-Overachiever Team

In my last fantasy football article I talked about the players who were keeping their owners up late at night, bemoaning that early-round selection and the lack of production that has accompanied it to this point. However, this time I'll talk about the players who likely weren't even selected during the draft, but have become valuable commodities in the fantasy universe.

I'll call this one my season-to-date All Fantasy Surprise Team and once again we will use the standard format of one quarterback, two running backs, three receivers, one tight end, one kicker and a defense.

QB: Chad Pennington, New York Jets
Most people had written Pennington off following his shoulder surgeries, but the Marshall product opened the season with back-to-back 300-yard efforts that sent fantasy owners everywhere scrambling to the waiver wire. He may not be at the point where you can just plug him into your lineup every week, but he would make an outstanding backup and spot starter depending on match-ups.
RUNNER-UP: Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears

RBs: Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers AND Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots
The 49ers essentially handed Gore the starting job when they traded Kevan Barlow to the Jets, but given the lack of success the Niners had on the ground last season it has been mildly shocking what Gore has accomplished thus far. Through three games he has racked up nearly 400 yards of offense and three touchdowns while establishing himself as a weekly starter. However, fumbling problems around the goal line and a rib injury has Gore owners a little nervous about the future.

A season ago it was Larry Johnson who stepped in for an injured Priest Holmes and carried a lot of fantasy teams to championship glory and this season it could be Maroney. The first-rounder has split time with Corey Dillon thus far, but even in that role he has amassed 230 yards and a touchdown. Now Dillon is struggling with his health and the Patriots are struggling to throw the ball in general, which are just two more reasons to be excited about Maroney's prospects for the remainder of the season.
RUNNER-UP: Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins