Fantasy Football Sleepers
8/13/10
Why is it that some fantasy owners start losing focus once their
draft gets down to the last half-dozen or so rounds? It seems visits
to the restroom become more frequent during this time, and a general
sense of ambivalence sweeps across the room. Not dramatically, but
enough where it’s noticeable. But while this may be a time
when others simply go through the motions, you should use this time
to show your preparation and tact by solidifying your roster with
late-round selections other may have allowed to slip by. Here’s
a look at a handful of players who could sneak into the latter part
of your draft and represent big bargains for your fantasy squad.
ADP: 10.08
When you’ve scored a total of three TDs in your last 23
regular season games, it’s easy for you to fly under the
radar of fantasy owners everywhere. That’s been Chris Cooley
the last two years. Whether his below-average numbers are the
result of a dreadful offense in Washington, a downward trend in
his skill set, a number of nagging injuries, or a combination
of all the above, it should be known that Cooley’s true
value isn’t in the previous 23 games; it’s in the
immediate future.
New QB Donovan
McNabb and new head coach Mike Shanahan will look to use the
most talented receiving option the Redskins’ roster. McNabb helped
put Philly TE Brent Celek on the fantasy radar the last couple
years, and Shanahan often formulated his offensive gameplan around
the skills of TE Shannon Sharpe while in Denver. Both the signal-caller
and the coach know what it takes to incorporate a TE into the
attack. Cooley, when healthy, is one of the top 4 or 5 TEs in
the NFC, and with his recent history, can be had for a blue light
special kind of price.
ADP: 9.02
Some may look at the retirement of Kurt Warner and the probability
of Arizona depending more on the ground game in 2010 and downgrade
Steve Breaston on their cheat sheet. While those are strong likelihoods,
Breaston remains a solid fantasy option this season. Sure there
may be fewer called pass plays this year, and sure Larry
Fitzgerald will see the king’s share of pass attempts. But
Breaston will step into the role of Anquan Boldin and put up big
numbers.
Keep in mind that when Boldin was injured in 2008, Breaston replaced
him and immediately put up ridiculous numbers: 33 catches for
392 yards in the four games following Boldin’s injury. His
production fell off a bit in 2009, but make no mistake about it—Breaston
is as solid as a low #2/high #3 fantasy WR can be. His value may
plummet about a round or two based on the circumstances around
him, but Breaston is definitely someone to keep your eye on come
draft day.
ADP: 14.02
I’ve always been a fan of Jason Campbell and felt he never
truly got an opportunity to shine in Washington. It seems they
were always looking to replace the guy, and certainly former ‘Skins
head coach Jim Zorn’s anemic offensive game plans didn’t
help. Campbell is now in a situation where he’s needed and
wanted and will be looked to produce. Oakland is my surprise team
this year, and a lot has to do with who’s under center.
Campbell’s going to have something to prove this season
and will play well as a result.
Outside of TE Zach Miller, Oakland’s receivers aren’t
anything special though. However, I still believe Campbell will
utilize the weapons around him and maximize their ability. Unlike
the QB he replaces in Oakland, Campbell doesn’t make a lot
of mistakes, plus his completion percentage has increased each
of his four years in the league. Bottom line: Campbell is an ascending
player, both fantasy and in the NFL. He could turn out to be a
solid late-draft selection.
ADP: 11.10
Stafford could be one of the biggest darkhorses
this season.
As a longtime suffering Detroit Lions fan, believe me when I
say it’s a task putting Matthew Stafford on this list. But as
a trained journalist, I learned many years ago the tenets of objectivity
in the industry. So with that said, (gulp) I think Stafford could
be one of the biggest dark horses this season, and here’s why.
Detroit addressed every conceivable weakness on the team, especially
on offense. A fortified offensive line, an improved running game
with a multi-faceted rookie in Jahvid
Best, as well as the addition of other receiving options outside
of Calvin
Johnson—WR Nate
Burleson and TE Tony
Scheffler. None of these players could do much individually,
put collectively they give Stafford the kind of supporting cast
that could help propel the youngster to surprising things in 2010.
Stafford took a beating in 2009. His courage and focus under
fire, though, helped endear him to the entire city. That in and
of itself won’t help win football games, but the fact that
Stafford is thought of so highly by the fans and, by all accounts,
his teammates, can go a long way. He’s going to have to
cut down on the 20 INTs he had last year, but another year in
offensive coordinator’s Scott Linehan’s scheme should
help. His play last season was hit or miss—mostly miss—but
I think he’s primed to shock a few people in 2010.
ADP: 11.04
It may appear on the surface that rookie Golden Tate has a long
climb up the receiver depth chart in Seattle, but a look at who’s
above him reveals why the Seahawks drafted him so early in the
first place: Ruvell Martin, Deion Branch, Deon Butler. Only Branch
has done anything significant in his career—and his last
relevant season was in 2005. Tate’s skill set was put on
display on a weekly basis at Notre Dame, thanks in no small part
to former Irish head coach Charlie Weiss. I see new Seahawk head
coach Pete Carroll using him in a similar fashion.
Tate is not a speedster by any stretch. He’s a possession
receiver much like fellow receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh, so the short
passing game could be the M.O. for this offense that’s led
by QB Matt Hasselbeck. Seattle could be a boring offense to watch.
They have no real deep threat and Hasselbeck is getting up there
in age. But Tate strikes me as one of those rookie WRs that could
be money in PPR leagues. Finishing with 60-65 catches is a realistic
possibility for the former Fighting Irish wide out.
ADP: 10.01
The Denver Broncos had to replace Brandon
Marshall and look to have done so with a physical clone of
the veteran. The 6-3, 230 lbs. rookie receiver Demaryius Thomas
should quickly move up the depth chart and become Kyle
Orton’s (or Brady
Quinn’s, or Tim
Tebow’s) favorite target. Replacing Marshall was job #1 for
the Broncos heading into the season. Names such as Jabar
Gaffney, Brandon
Lloyd and Brandon
Stokley occupy the receiver position as well. All of them
fine human beings, I’m sure but relying on that stable of stalwarts
to win football games would be a bit of a stretch.
Thomas will take over the flanker position left vacant by Marshall’s
departure—a position, remember, that saw Marshall catch
at least 101 passes each of the last three years. Thomas won’t
catch 100 passes this year, but his role and importance in the
offense should be understood as you decide to use a late-round
pick on the rookie. The potential three-headed monster at QB in
Denver notwithstanding, Thomas could really be the focal point
of an offense in need of a true identity.
ADP: 7.05
Despite battling two sore feet all last season, Ahmad Bradshaw
still finished with the best numbers of his career. His seven
rushing TDs led the New York Giants, even though the G-men suffered
offensive line woes most of the season. Bradshaw is a good change-of-pace
RB who is more than capable of filling in for the oft-injured
manchild, Brandon Jacobs. And therein lies Bradshaw’s true
value. The nicks and scraps Jacobs routinely gets will inevitably
give Bradshaw an opportunity to become a worthy fantasy player.
Bradshaw is far from being an every-down back, yet he remains
a good fantasy option beyond those Jacobs owners looking to simply
use him as a handcuff. His speed to the perimeter complements
Jacobs’ brute running style very well, and he runs tough
between the tackles. Bradshaw had a few really productive games
last year—a 104 yard game against Tampa Bay and a 110 yard
game against Oakland. The interesting part is he did that damage
on only 24 carries COMBINED. That illustrates Bradshaw’s
explosiveness and the possibility that exists with him on your
team.
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