Fantasy Sleepers That You Need to Look at Come Draft Day

Five Fantasy Sleepers That You Need to Look at Come Draft Day

Having a successful fantasy football season involves taking some risks on draft day. The owners that can identify the TRUE sleepers amongst all the PRETENDERS are half- way to their league championship.

1. Jerious Norwood (Running Back, Atlanta Falcons) - Norwood may be an obvious sleeper thanks to the Michael Vick situation and with Warrick Dunn’s age catching up to him. Dunn has had one helluva ride for a 5’9 back but it looks like all the dents and dings are catching up to him. The Falcons are looking at making Dunn the third down back this year. Norwood’s speed makes him a big play threat and should again be utilized in the return game, which means extra points each week and is why he is number one on my list.

2. Brandon Jackson (Running back, Green Bay) - Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch have been getting all the hype but Jackson could be just as awesome in 2007. I see Jackson as an even better product for fantasy owners in 2007 because he has more staying power. Peterson will share time with Chester Taylor and Lynch is playing in a very difficult division with teams that can really shut the run down. He also has the ATrain, Anthony Thomas behind him that will surely come in around the goal line and on third downs. I also like Jackson because he is more elusive and durable than Lynch and Peterson. Jackson should take over the starting running back spot from Vernand Morency by the start of the regular season.

3. Matt Leinart (Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals) – Leinart next to Jay Cutler is the only quarterback that should really be considered a sleeper this year because the Arizona offense is just load with weapons. We all saw what Leinart did last year in his rookie campaign. This year will be even better. Leinart has a better offensive line in 2007 and with attention on the power run-game, “Mr. Troy” should have the opportunity to make some big plays. Leinart may have been thrust into the starting lineup faster than Arizona would have liked but last season he showed tremendous poise, accuracy and with a bright, offensive-minded new head coach, Leinart is ready for Studsville.

4. Jay Cutler (Quarterback, Denver Broncos) – Cutler is very similar to Leinart in the fact that he was thrust into a starting roll and produced in 2006. Cutler also has terrific weapons at his disposal and with the addition of Travis Henry defenses will need to stack the box against Denver. Cutler will be a fantasy stud in 2007 and is flying below the radar of most fantasy owners. Cutler is also ready for Studsville and with a full season in 2007, fantasy owners should expect big numbers from the Denver ace.

5. Kevin Curtis (Wide Receiver, Philadelphia) – Curtis is a fantastic fit in the Eagles offense. Curtis could be this year’s Mike Furrey and is going to be the number two wide out behind Reggie Brown in Philly in 2007. Curtis has already had an impressive preseason and training camp and with his tremendous speed and agility he has big play potential written all over him. Look for 1,000 yard season with 5 plus touchdowns.

Here are a few more big name sleepers that should have monster 2007 campaigns:

• Travis Henry (Running back, Denver) – Henry in Denver has a lot of fantasy owners drooling and I am one of them. Henry if healthy could rush for 1,800 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is the perfect back in the Denver zone blocking system.
• DeAngelo Williams (Running back, Carolina) – Last year Williams looked impressive as rookie and in 2007, he’ll perform even better. The Panthers are getting fed up with the injury-prone DeShwan Foster so look for Williams to see a lot more touches even if Foster stays healthy for the whole year.
• Lee Evans (Wide Receiver, Buffalo) – Evans was a beast in the second half of the 2006 season racking up 735 yards and six touchdowns in the last seven games. Evans speed and agility make him a big play threat and with a better offensive line in 2007, look for J.P. Losman to have time to get the ball to Evans even more in 2007.
• Devery Henderson (Wide Receiver, New Orleans) – With Joe Horn out of the way, Henderson will have the second receiver spot to himself all year. With Drew Brees shredding defenses left and right, look for Henderson to get a piece of the action . Marques Colston will also be demanding more double team coverage in 2007 and rightfully so after his magical rookie season. Henderson also possesses terrific speed and will be Bress’s home run target with Colston being the possession receiver.
• Vincent Jackson (Wide Receiver, San Diego) – Jackson was San Diego’s third receiver last season but after a terrific end to the 2006 campaign, Jackson should emerge as the Charges number one receiver come opening day. Jackson won’t put up outrageous numbers because Antonio Gates is still the primary weapon in San Diego’s passing game but 8 touchdowns and 1,000 yards are not out of the question for Jackson. With LaDainian Tomlinson tearing up the record books and Gates dominating the middle of the field, look for tons of dancing room for Jackson.