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Fantasy Football Sleepers 2009

Updated on September 9, 2009

Time to Huddle Up

Time to huddle up and prepare to outwit your opponents this fantasy season
Time to huddle up and prepare to outwit your opponents this fantasy season

What is a Sleeper?

A sleeper is a fantasy player that is available at low draft pick but may out perform higher picks in that position. For instance, last year's biggest sleeper was DeAngelo Williams. Williams finished first among running backs in fantasy points; but was "sleep on" during fantasy drafts. His average draft position in 2008 was 105.8. That is the middle of the tenth round in ten team leagues. This year he is a first round pick in most drafts with an average draft position of 9.5.

Draft Smart

Take the studs while nobody is watching
Take the studs while nobody is watching

Key

The * stands for my favorite sleeper of that category.

Lee Evans

Wide Receivers

Lee Evans, (Buffalo Bills) averaged 10 points per week the first 8 games of the season. That would have placed him in the top ten of wide outs if he had continued to play at that level throughout the entire season. The addition of Owens will give him more opportunities to produce because Evans will no longer be the only receiving option to defend in Buffalo. At an average pick of 68.8 overall, this a great value for a potential top 10 receiver.

Anthony Gonzalez (Indianapolis Colts) Average draft position 83.4. Number two receiver in Indy. Keep expectations low, he did start 10 games last season and wasn't too stellar.

Lance Moore, (New Orleans Saints) finished 13th among wide receivers (144 points) last year that was tied with REGGIE WAYNE. He should be a viable fantasy option with an average pick of 104.0 overall.

Bernard Berrian, (Minnesota Vikings) The leading receiver for the Vikings may see an up tick in statistics with the addition of Brett Favre. Average draft position 70.6 overall.

Jerricho Cotchery, (New York Jets) could be the number 1 receiver for the Jets this season. He has been a fantasy stud long in the making, brewing for a few seasons now. This could be his season to explode now that is is no longer overshadowed by Laveranues Coles. His average draft position is 93.9 overall.

*Ted Ginn Jr. (Miami Dolphins) In the first 7 games of the 2008 season he averaged a mere 2 points per game. In the last nine games however he averaged 9.6 points per game. If he were able to play that well at the beginning of 2008 he would have been a top 15 wide receiver. This may be the year Ted Ginn becomes a fantasy threat. Average draft pick at 115.2.

Steve Breaston, (Arizona Cardinals) How many third string receivers can say they received for over 1,000 yards last season? None, other than Breaston. There is a chance the unhappy Anquan Boldin is traded some point in the season adding to Breaston’s value. Average draft position 108.2.

Tory Holt (Jacksonville Jaguars) had a subpar 2008 season. He averaged 8 touchdowns a season in 2006-2007 with the Rams and over a thousand yards in those two seasons. Holt will likely emerge as the Jaguar’s number one receiver this season and could very well be a top 15 fantasy wide out receiver.

Troy Williamson (Jacksonville Jaguars) is the leading the NFL this preseason as of 8/24/09 with 221 yards on only 7 catches. He typically goes undrafted, so not a bad guy to take a last round flyer on. He will likely be the number 2 guy in Jacksonville.

Jeremy Maclin, (Philadelphia Eagles) should be worth the flyer pick. DeSean Jackson performed well last season as an Eagle rookie. Maclin should have no problem producing on Eagles. I think he will be a low-end number two or number three fantasy receiver. At an average draft position of 140.3 he is well worth the price.

Chris Henry (Cincinnati Bengals) had 7 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown in his preseason debut. Average draft position 140.9.

Justin Gage (Tennesse Titans) Number one receiver, has looked well in the preseason. Gage typically goes undrafted and could potentially be a number 2 option at wide out. Not a bad guy to have on your bench.


Know the Game

Know the game so good others think that you have cheated
Know the game so good others think that you have cheated

Sammy Morris

Darren McFadden

Running Backs

Sammy Morris (New England Patriots) His numbers last year would have been better if he hadn’t missed 3 games due to injury which affected his next 2 games following his return. So injury limited him in 5 games last season. Injury should not be a concern though; he isn’t the cuddly teddy bear Laurence Maroney. Out of all the backs they have in New England, he is the Patriot back you want!Average draft position 137.9

Darren McFadden received the most carries in the Oakland backfield in his preseason debut. He rushed 4 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. Though at an average draft pick of 42.5 he is not much of a sleeper. Taking such a high pick for an unproven player with plenty of competition is not advised. Look else where for your running needs.

Tashard Choice (Dallas Cowboys) With Felix Jones always licking his wounds like a cat and Marion the barbarian playing at a subpar level, Choice could emerge as the choice back in Dallas. Not really roster worthy unless one of the two are injured. Average draft position 170.0.

Chester Taylor (Minnesota Vikings) If Adrian Peterson goes down say hello to Taylor.Average draft position 127.0

Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills) starts the first three games of the season and will probably hold on to starting position. Average draft position 123.8

Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay) People are shocked at how well Graham is playing thus far, really? I was shocked that Tampa Bay picked up Derrick Ward when they had a stud like Graham. Graham should see at least half the carries in Tampa this season and will likely be the choice goal line back. Average draft position 98.0

*Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints) Averaged 14.86 points a game in his first 7 games of 2008. That is more than Adrian Peterson averaged all season finishing with14.6 points per game. So hypothetically had Bush stayed healthy in 2008, he would have been on pace to finish third among fantasy backs and ahead of Adrian Peterson. Bush is not an Elite NFL Running Back but when healthy he can be an elite fantasy Running Back. Average draft position 65.0.

Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) should see similar role to what Dominic Rhodesdid last season if not more. I honesty think he could take the job from Addai, who I have always viewed as a product of his offensive surroundings. If the Colts were confident in the fourth year first round pick why would they take another first round running back? Average draft position 101.6.

Cedric Benson (Cincinnati Bengals) He is a starting running back that is all I have to say because I am anti the entire Bengals roster fantasy wise. Average Draft Position 87.4 is a cheap price for a starting back.

Chris Wells (Arizona Cardinals) Some of the best backs last year were rookies, many didn't pay attention to. I myself drafted Matt Forte last year and it paid off nicely. Wells is competing with the subpar Tim Hightower for the starting job. They will probably spilt carries this season but given the choice of the two I would take a chance on Wells, ADP 88.2.

Glen Coffee (San Francisco 49ers) Leads the NFL in the preseason with 196 yards and an impressive 6.5 yards a carry average.If Frank Gore were to go down, make the quick grab to pick him up.

Quarterbacks

David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars) finished 10th in points for fantasy quarterbacks last season. This was with a depleted offensive line, 5-11 team record, and no receiver breaking the 1,000-yard mark. This season he has a revamped line and new addition Tory Holt. Garrard has been drafted on average the 121.9 overall. That is quite a bargain for a guy who finished last season as a top ten quarterback.

*Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) Last season was a horrible year for Hasselback but keep in mind he only played 7 games on a team that had major issues keeping wide receivers healthy. The addition of T.J.Houshmandzadeh should help return Hasselback into a fantasy starter. Don't forget in2007-08 Hasselback threw for 28 touchdowns and nearly 4,000 yards. He is still having back issues, which were a problem for him last year. This makes him a risk to have on your roster considering that he has only played all 16 games twice in the last 5 seasons. Though at an average draft position of 116.9 the risk is well worth it. Good to have a number 2 quarterback to have on your roster who could potentially be your starter.

Trent Edwards (Buffalo Bills) has not shown he can be a fantasy stud. He only broke 20 fantasy points once last season with a 33-point performance against Kansas City. The addition of Terrell Owen should help his numbers. I think he will be a pretty solid backup but could emerge as a fantasy starter this season. He has been drafted on average 125.4 overall.

Chad Pennington, (Miami Dolphins) finished 9th overall in points among fantasy quarterbacks in 2008. His average draft position is 138.5.

Tight Ends

Dustin Keller (New York Jets) I can't believe I left this guy off my list at first! I have drafted him on in a league or two. Keller will benefit from being on a team with a rookie quarterback. He had a pretty decent season last year.

Jeremy Shockey (New Orleans) had a horrible season in his first year with the Saints in 2008. Look for him to redeem himself in 2009. He three catches for 61 yards and a touchdown in his first preseason game. His average draft position is 118.3.           

*John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) Seventh among Tight Ends last year with 627 yards and 5 scores. Average draft position 122.9.

Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) Number 5 fantasy TE last season. Average draft position 138.5.            

Zach Miller will probably lead Oakland in receiving yards and receptions this season. That fact that he only scored one TD last year hurts his value. But still he is a good option at TEs in deeper leagues and a solid backup for standard leagues.


Where To Sign Up For Free?

  • Espn.com (my personal favorite)
  • NFL.com
  • Si.com
  • Yahoo Sports
  • Fox Sports

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