Mike Clay, ESPN Senior Writer 10y

Boom-or-bust picks for 2014

NFL, Fantasy NFL

They say fantasy leagues can't be won in the first few rounds but they can be lost. Those who started their 2013 draft with Jamaal Charles, Jimmy GrahamĀ and Peyton Manning would beg to differ.

Picking out the biggest boom/bust players in the league can be a tricky exercise. After all, there are no safe bets in fantasy football. How good do you think owners whose first three picks last season were Doug Martin, Julio JonesĀ and Randall Cobb felt? That warm feeling didn't last long.

Still, the only way to maximize your chances of winning a league title is to assess the upside and risk of each and every player. I've identified one player from each of the first eight rounds -- based on ESPN.com average draft position (ADP) -- who fits the profile of a boom/bust producer.

Put another way, these players, for better or worse, will decide the fate of your season. Select them at your own risk.

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