How to Dominate in Fantasy Football, Step 4b: The Sleepers
What do you think? Should I start Part II of the Sleeper Picks with another picture of a hottie taking a nap? Yeah, I thought so…
Thank, Veronica!
Defense - Green Bay Packers
CBSSportsline Ranking: #13 DEF
Talking NFL Ranking: #9 DEF
Lots to like here; plenty of good young players like A.J. Hawk and sack monster Aaron Kampman, a defense that gradually improved over the ‘06 campaign (from dead last at Week 7 to 12th in total yards allowed by the end of the season), all the starters are returning, and plenty of offensively challenged opponents like Minnesota, Chicago, Oakland, and the Giants (oh, yes - the Giants) on the schedule. Definitely worth a late round pick.
…and as much as I like the Pack this year, there’s another defense I have ranked higher that’s currently not in the Top 10. Sorry, I’m expecting VERY good things from them, and simply won’t give this one away. In fact, by Round 13 of my fantasy league’s draft, I will probably be rocking back and forth the way Terry Francona does on the Red Sox bench when he puts Eric Gagne in the game, hoping this D doesn’t come off the board by surprise…
Wide Receiver - Roydell Williams (Titans)
CBSSportsline Ranking: Not rated
Talking NFL Ranking: #145 Overall
In the last few rounds of the draft, I love taking a chance on a few unknown wideouts in the hope that one of them has a breakout year. Roydell Williams looks like a decent candidate. The Titans are hurting at WR, since they’ve been decimated by free agency and injuries. Brandon Jones was looking like their #1 guy by default, but Roydell got the start over him in the 3rd preseason game (also know as the “dress rehearsal” game), and had 4 catches for 68 yards. He’s got deep threat speed, is going into that magical 3rd year as a wideout, and could be the new go-to guy for Vince Young. Let’s just hope that Madden Curse doesn’t rear it’s ugly head…
Running Back - Tony Hunt (Eagles)
CBSSportsline Ranking: Not rated
Talking NFL Ranking: #168 Overall
For any of you that owned Tiki Barber last year & cursed Brandon Jacobs name everytime the Giants scored a short yardage TD, hear me now & believe me later: Tony Hunt will be the name Brian Westbrook owners will be cursing this year.
You’ve been warned.
Wide Receiver - Greg Jennings (Packers)
CBSSportsline Ranking: #122 Overall
Talking NFL Ranking: #108 Overall*
Why the asterisk? Simply put, keep an eye on the Donald Driver situation to see how he looks for the season opener. Should he not be ready to go, then that’s where Jennings should be ranked (if not higher).
Quarterback - Kellen Clemens (Jets)
CBSSportsline Ranking: Not rated
Talking NFL Ranking: Not rated (yet)
We all know how I feel about this guy. Now, I’m not recommending drafting him, but I am recommending that you DON’T draft Pennington (probably didn’t need me to tell you that), and that you keep an eye on how the Jets fair early on. If both the team & QB are struggling, don’t hesitate to put this guy on your bench. You never know…
(I’d also be keeping an eye on the QB situations in Chicago, Cleveland, Miami, and Tampa Bay. Any of those teams could get off to a sluggish start & give you the opportunity to grab this year’s version of Jay Cutler.)
So here’s the sleeper list:
Quarterback - Kellen Clemens (Jets)
Running Back - Tony Hunt (Eagles)
Running Back - Jerious Norwood (Falcons)
Running Back - Kenny Irons (Bengals)
Wide Receiver - Roydell Williams (Titans)
Wide Reciever - Greg Jennings (Packers)
Wide Receiver - Wes Welker (Patriots)
Tight End - Eric Johnson (Saints)
Defense - Green Bay Packers
Remember, the best thing about picking up a sleeper that comes through for you happens a year later. You’ll be sitting there, looking at last year’s draft board, saying, “wow. I mean who in the world would have thought Frank Gore would have been that good. Oh, wait - I did!”
(Hopefully you’re doing this in front of your friends, instead of by yourself in a dark room. Because that would be sad…)
NFL, Fantasy Football, Sleeper Picks, Fantasy Draft, Kellen Clemens, Tony Hunt, Roydell Williams, Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers, completely out of control ego
August 27th, 2007 at 7:46 am
In my longest-running league, we’ve already done our draft by the time the preseason starts. Guess who drafted Kenny Irons the week before Irons is out for the season? Riight, me.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Ugh. My condolences, Ron.
Seriously, you guys should wait until after at least the 3rd preseason game.
Our draft is on Labor Day - we take NO chances!
November 12th, 2007 at 5:06 am
[...] The game ball for the 7 - 1 Packers after this beatdown of the Vikings doesn’t go to Favre; it goes to their resurgent defense that held Minnesota scoreless, and their vaunted running game to just 86 yards on the day. (Hope you have them on your fantasy team, like some smart guy suggested before the season started!) [...]