Fantasy Football Sleepers
2009 Fantasy Football Sleepers
Author: Bill Parsons
One of the keys to winning a fantasy football league is the ability to draft Sleepers. "Sleepers" are NFL players who are drafted in much lower rounds than their ending statistics warrant. In shopping terms, this is getting a bargain price for a valuable product. The estimated draft position is taken from the Maximum Fantasy Sports fantasy football Mock Draft found on their home page at http://www.maximumfantasysports.com/. The Mock Draft was formulated using the generally accepted "standard" league configuration.
2009 Fantasy Football Sleepers
QB: Kyle Orton (Denver) - Orton was brought to Denver in the off-season trade for Jay Cutler. He is leaving an offense in Chicago that limited his passing attempts and had few receiving threats. In Denver, Coach Josh McDaniels will want to give Orton the opportunity to prove his controversial trade of Cutler was a smart move. With Brandon Marshall (maybe), Eddie Royal, Tony Sheffler, and others as his receiving options, Orton will put up fantastic numbers for the 16th QB off the board at the projected last pick of the 11th round.
RB: Derrick Ward (Tampa Bay) - Ward skipped out of New York into a situation in Tampa where the QB position is up for grabs. This scenario almost always favors the running game. While Ward was second fiddle in New York to Brandon Jacobs, he still put up a quiet 1000 yards (5.6 ypc). There is talk of a platoon situation with Earnest Graham in Tampa, but that is what is driving his draft position down. Ward will be the feature back and will receive the majority of carries throughout the year. Picking up a 1A running back in a tandem as the 30th RB off the board in the projected mid-7th round is a steal.
WR: Josh Morgan (SF) - Morgan is the true definition of a Sleeper. Isaac Bruce receives the attention due to his surprising results from last year and Michael Crabtree gets the press due to his high-profile college career, draft position and current holdout. Crabtree will sign before the season starts as it is asinine to expect Top-5 rookie money as the 10th overall pick. However, his holdout, rookie status and lingering ankle injury will cost him playing time this year and Isaac Bruce will slow down as the Niners work some youth in at the WR position. This will be Morgan. He is projected to be available at the start of the 12th round - a very nice place for a receiver that you can start every week.
TE: Ben Celek (PHIL) - Tight End is a position that is very deep and turns out Sleepers year-in and year-out. With that in mind, you can let other managers spend high draft picks on Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten and Antonio Gates. Celek turned it on at the end of 2008, especially during the playoffs. The Eagles let long-time McNabb favorite, L.J. Smith, go since they have his replacement in Celek. With Philly's plethora of wispy receivers, McNabb needs someone to make the tough catches and hold onto the ball without leaving the field on a cart. Celek will fill that role nicely as a 16th round pick.
D: San Diego Chargers - The Chargers defense gave up 347 points last year but were missing Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips for most of last year. They are back and healthy this year. The Chargers also added Larry English in the middle of the defense. The schedule is very favorable (how can it not be when playing 6 games against AFC West teams?!) and the offense will be dominant once again, which is helpful in assisting the defense with additional sacks and interceptions. The Chargers are projected as the 18th defense off the board, which will occur in the 16th round.
K: Garrett Hartley (NO) - After the Saints came to their senses and dropped Martin Gramatica and replaced him with Hartley, Hartley promptly went 13-13 on FGs and 28-28 on extra points. While kickers rarely get much attention in the fantasy world, any kicker that is accurate, kicks in a dome over half the year (including a road game in Atlanta) and kicks for a team that puts a load of points on the board is worthy of drafting in the very last round of your draft as your only kicker.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/2009-fantasy-football-sleepers-1173773.html
About the Author
Bill Parsons is the owner of http://www.MaximumFantasySports.com and a rabid fantasy sports participant. He began creating his own football and baseball fantasy leagues at the ripe old age of seven; tracking stats and standings on paper. Bill decided to create a real-time fantasy football league website that includes all of the best features and some never attempted at any other website.
November 30, -0001
12:00 am
SO many late-round sleepers this year, especially @ RB. Good luck!
Less Desirable, BUT they are the starters:
Clinton Portis
Cadillac Williams
Michael Bush (I’m assuming he’ll start)
Justin Forsett
I also like Lendale White now that he’s in Denver. He’ll get the goal-line carries, and you can have him for cheap.
WRs:
*I’m taking Welker off the sleeper list because of his recovery and he’s getting picked up earlier each day.
Devin Thomas
Dexter McCluster (WR/RB according to Yahoo!)
Malcom Floyd
Anthony Gonzalez
Nate Burleson (real deep sleeper)
Austin Collie
November 30, -0001
12:00 am
i like
Adrian Foster Texans RB- With Ben Tate lost for the year and Slaton in the doghouse with fumblitis, he looks like the starter for a high powered offense.
Mike Williams Bucs WR- looks solid on a team that needs a #1WR
Percy Harvin Vikings WR- He gets his touches receiving and rushing, and is always a big threat.
Marion Barber Cowboys RB- not exactly a sleeper but someone who gets lost in the shuffle with all the hype around Felix Jones.
Vincent Jackson Chargers WR- Apparently, people won’t touch this guy due to his suspension and his “possible” holdout. If he doesn’t play this season, the Chargers will trade him. Why will you lose a talent when you can trade him? Right now Seattle is talking to VJax. This guy, who was rated at #15 WR, fell to me in the 9th round in a draft. If he gets traded and only misses three games, then that was a STEAL.
Terrel Owens Bengals WR- Personally, i think he’ll put up Ocho-Cinco numbers at a 7th round price. Whats not to like?
November 30, -0001
12:00 am
What’s up w/ all this Nike BS.
There have been tons of questions on here regarding sleepers…do a search.
I like: LeSean McCoy, Nate Washington, Earl Bennett, Ray Rice, David Garrard, and Jamal Charles (LJ won’t play all 16).
November 30, -0001
12:00 am
Ok, here’s my take! The most valuable players on any team (assuming you don’t have weird scoring) are the feature tailbacks (those not part of a timeshare). However, this season is a bit stronger than usual at RB, so if you grab a top one, and then an elite WR (mainly Fitz, AJ or CJ) is available on your second pick, grab him and then get back to RBs.
For the most part, QBs are overrated. You can easily wait til the 4th or 5th round and pick up someone like Aaron Rogers or Rivers, who will put up numbers similar to the top 3 QBs. Let someone else grab Brady in the first round and then regret it…lol.
Also, don’t reach for secondary slots like DEF, TE and K. Draft them at the end. You’re much better off playing matchups with DEF than grabbing one in a middle round.
My sleepers: Matt Schaub, Ronnie Brown
Deeper sleepers (I think these guys are way underrated but still not someone you’d grab early) – Fred Taylor, Devin Thomas, Sam Hurd
November 30, -0001
12:00 am
A big sleeper is hakeem nicks the newest wide receiver for the giants they drafted him for the replacement of plaxico burress and if u r a unc fan you would know all the big numbers he put up in his 3 year career at north carolina
August 2, 2009
4:33 pm
What will be the top rookies this year in fantasy football and best sleepers to draft?
I need some help in figuring out what rookies this year our expected to put up big numbers in fantasy football and who will be the best sleepers in the draft? Thanks. Last year I missed out on players like Matt Forte and Michael Turner. Thanks for all of your help!
August 9, 2009
10:21 am
Fantasy Football #1 Sleepers and who to take at the right time in the draft. Please Help?
Right now my Fantasy Football Draft is in 7 days and money is on the line, up to $300! So i woukd really appreciate your advice here. Im looking for your opinion on your #1 Sleepers and who not to take to early in the draft or let slip past you.
Thanks
August 23, 2009
7:10 am
Any ideas for late round fantasy football sleepers?
I have my draft goin on later tonight, so any last minute advice would be awsome, thanks
August 9, 2010
10:01 am
Who are some fantasy football sleepers this year?
My draft is today and I just want to know who are your football sleepers for this year?
August 22, 2010
6:26 pm
Football: Who are some Fantasy Football sleepers to draft this season?
I want to take some good stars in the middle rounds (around round 5 – 10). Who are some sleepers to grab in those rounds? Please explain. Thanks.