2008 Top Fantasy Football Sleepers - Draft Guide

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

The next installment of our preseason NFL draft guide for fantasy football is the 2008 edition of our top picks for draft day Fantasy Football SLEEPERS.

It takes a discerning eye to distinguish the unheralded or unused players primed for breakout seasons. They turn fantasy teams into Fantasychampions.

The way we see it there are three types of Sleepers.

1) Top sleepers are ready to break out or return to fantasy prominence

2) In standard leagues, mid-level sleepers are great late picks who could surprise

3) These sleepers probably aren't draft material, but keep an eye on them anyways.

The 2008/09 NFL Sleepers: Here's your guide to the draft day steals.
How about it, owners? Email me your thoughts.

Quarterback Sleepers For 2008 (In No Particular Order)

QB

Troy Smith (BAL) - The Ravens are looking for the best possible passer to lead their team before handing over the reins to Flacco. Smith has Baltimore's vets on his side, though, and that will probably count for something.

Brian Brohm (GB) - His status this season hinges on whether Brett Favre will join the team. He is Aaron Rodgers' backup and a potential late-season starter. Consider Brohm a middle-round pick in rookie-only drafts and ignore him in seasonal leagues.

Shaun Hill (SF) - Hill wasn't impressive in camps this spring so Alex Smith is the leading candidate to start the season for the 49ers, with Hill second. Keep an eye on what develops, but it's not a bad idea to take a late-round flier on the 49ers' starting QB. 49ers head coach Mike Nolan is refusing to name a front-runner.

Matt Schaub (HOU) - Texans coach Gary Kubiak indicated that he wants to avoid having a pass-heavy offense in 2008. This spells "OH-OH" for Fantasy owners. For now, go into 2008 with Schaub as a top-end No. 2 Fantasy option worth a pick around Round 10.

Matt Leinart (ARI) - Cardinals QB Matt Leinart goes into training camp as the starter, but, Warner is going to be there pushing him. This will be one of the best quarterback battles to watch because Leinart has plenty of upside. Still, just the possibility of a QB rotation makes Leinart a tricky fantasy bet and thus a "sleeper" candidate.

Joe Flacco (BAL) - Just remember Baltimore is intent on being patient with Joe Flacco. So, expect the rookie to take over as the Ravens' starting quarterback by the team's Week 10 bye. Flacco has potential to be a big-armed passer in the future. We like Flacco as a late first-round pick in rookie-only drafts.

Running Back Sleepers For 2008

RB

Jason Wright (CLE) - He won't see much playing time so long as starting RB Jamal Lewis is toting the rock for the Browns. However, Wright would have the most Fantasy value if something happened to Lewis and is worth taking with a late-round pick in all leagues.

LenDale White (TEN) - LenDale White revealed that he played all of the 2007 season with a torn meniscus. White says he's pain free and ready to play, and while Johnson will steal some reps, White is still expected to land over 15 touches per game with goal-line duty. You can knock White for his weight, but there was no denying his toughness.

Aaron Stecker (NO) - He decided to stay with New Orleans in 2008 and will again be a backup to McAllister and Bush. Stecker showed he is still a capable tailback, but his role will mostly be on special teams and third downs but watch out for injuries yet again. I'm just sayin..."Keep him on your radar."

Maurice Morris (SEA) - The Seahawks are still going to use RB Maurice Morris as a reserve even with the addition of Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett. Julius Jones will "most likely" emerge as the Seahawks' starting tailback, however Morris has been in the offense longer and knows all the assignments.

Michael Pittman (DEN) - In my opinion Pittman ends up playing FB for the Broncos this year. Just watch! But he will compete for the right to be the team's third-down back, which would put him in line for a decent amount of receptions and total yards. Does anyone ever know whats going on in the Denver backfield though? Yikes...scary!

Julius Jones (SEA) - Another camp battle looms here. Jones will split the starting running back duties with Maurice Morris this season. If the two do split carries, it will, of course, chip away at the fantasy value of both. I think Seattle will give Jones the chance to start, likely giving him close to 20 touches per game. Consider him a #2 Fantasy RB and draft him between Rounds 3 and 5.

Sammy Morris (NE) - He's coming off a sternum-clavicle separation (whatever the hell that is??) Plus the Patriots signed Lamont Jordan. Last year Morris was the rare Patriot rusher who saw 20-plus carries in back-to-back games. All that means to me though is for 2008 I think at best he's a reserve Fantasy RB worth a middle- to late-round pick.

Jamaal Charles (KC) - Charles is supremely talented but had fumbling problems at Texas, and as a rookie behind Kolby Smith and Larry Johnson, he'll have to show ball security. Don't expect him to see a lot of playing time unless something happens to LJ. He's worth a late-round pick in seasonal drafts and an early-round pick in rookie-only drafts.

Derrick Ward (NYG) - He's doing OK in camp coming off a broken leg in 2007. The Giants say they'll ride the "hot hand" this year and have opened this job to competition. Since Jacobs is injury prone, Ward could play a significant role in 2008. Plan on taking Ward with a late-round pick as a handcuff to Jacobs.

Kevin Jones (CHI) - The Lions released Jones in the offseason, and the Bears signed him to compete with rookie RB Matt Forte and veteran Adrian Peterson for carries. Jones needs to shed 10 pounds and get healthy. There's still a pretty good chance that he'll begin the regular season on the PUP list, but if he's healthy, Jones has the potential to steal some carries Consider Jones a No. 3 or No. 4 RB worth a late-round pick in all drafts.

Pierre Thomas (NO) - He continues to fly under the radar. Thomas played well at times in 2007 as a backup and injury replacement for Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister, and Saints coach Sean Payton believes third-down performance is one of Pierre Thomas' strong suits. But he won't be much of a factor in 2008 so long as the starters stay healthy.

Tim Hightower (ARI) - The Cards' coaching staff has compared him to Marion Barber and might get the rookie Hightower in the short-yardage mix before long. He's a 225-pound power back and scored 29 TDs as a senior. He'll add depth to the Cardinals' RB spot. Think late-round pick with him.

Wide Receiver Sleepers For 2008

WR

Demetrius Williams (BAL) - He's a deep threat that the club will keep an eye on this preseason. Currently rehabing from offseason leg injury, but will compete with Mark Clayton for a starting WR job in Baltimore. We'll see how this transpires so don't think of him as anything more than a spot starter in deeper leagues until we know more.

Arnaz Battle (SF) - It's a crowded WR core in San Fran. Battle has gone from a No. 1 option to a No. 3 behind new additions Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson. He'll battle Jason Hill and Lelie for the #3 job, and if he wins it he is a candidate to lead the 49ers in catches as a possession slot receiver. I think he could be a decent addition off the waiver wire at some point.

Ike Hilliard (TB) - Will try to remain the No. 2 receiving option behind Galloway, but he could get some competition from Maurice Stovall, Michael Clayton and Antonio Bryant this year. I don't see him at his age, and coming off offseason shoulder surgery starting at flanker again this year, but I could see him getting lots of action out of the slot. Consider drafting Hilliard with a late-round pick, especially in deep leagues.

Brandon Stokely (DEN) - Keep an eye on the Brandon Marshall (NFL status) looming suspension. I'm expecting Mr. Slot to be in a limited role considering the additions of WRs Keary Colbert, Darrell Jackson, rookie Eddie Royal and Samie Parker this offseason. A quality bye-week replacement at best.

Mark Clayton (BAL) - Mark Clayton is running exclusively with the first-team offense at Ravens training camp which is a good sign, and I expect him to bounce back and play well this year, only problem is it won't help that Derrick Mason and Todd Heap will be healthy in 2008. So target him with a middle-round pick and low-end No. 3 Fantasy WR status for now.

DeSean Jackson (PHI) - He'll fit right in - in the Eagles' West coast offense. I'm Projecting him to see time in the slot as the No. 3 option with McNabb chuckin him the rock. Consider him a higher end sleeper and worthy of a late-round pick, although we still wouldn't count on Jackson catching more than 20 balls as a rookie.

Antonio Bryant (TB) - Is battling Maurice Stovall, Ike Hilliard, and Michael Clayton at flanker, and I think he has the most upside of the group. It's unclear where Bryant is on the current depth chart though. The Bucs signed him this offseason, and he is trying to resurrect his career after sitting out 2007 due to a suspension. I think you'll be ok if you draft him with a final-round flier in deep leagues

Laurent Robinson (ATL) - Didn't make much of an impact in his rookie year but will enter his second season in 2008 with the hopes of starting opposite Roddy White. I think he's on his way to seeing a lot of targets in 2008 though, and he is worth spending a late-round pick on in deeper Fantasy leagues.

James Hardy (BUF) - Treat him like a top-end No. 4 WR with lots of upside. Hardy registered double digit touchdowns in each of his 3-seasons at Indiana so I like him to do OK in his rookie year for Buffalo. The Bills needed a big target to work opposite Lee Evans as well as bring a red-zone threat, Standing at 6-foot-5, Hardy is the perfect go-to target for Bills starter Trent Edwards.

Sam Hurd (DAL) - This week Coach Phillips said Hurd and Miles Austin are "probably even now" in their battle to be the Cowboys' third receiver. So this is promising news (I guess). Mainly because Hurd has more experience in Jason Garrett's offense. I'm not sure I draft him though. If he plays well, add him off the waiver wire.

Limas Sweed (PIT) - Look for him to be a decent reserve Fantasy WR in his first season. He will play behind Santonio Holmes to start the season and looks likely to be the team's third receiver. Considering Holmes' durability questions, Sweed may get some starts as a rookie. He's a late-round pick in seasonal drafts and an early-round choice in rookie-only drafts.

James Jones (GB) - Consider drafting Jones with a late-round pick as a reserve Fantasy option in 2008. Jones is the right slot guy with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings outside. So technically he's the #3 WR in Green Bay's passing attack. If he doesn't get drafted, Jones could have value off the waiver wire. Keep your eye on the depth chart here though, with Jordy Nelson close behind.

Darrell Jackson (Den) - We're hearing that D-Jack is working ahead of Keary Colbert at Broncos training camp practices, and I think that having played for Mike Holmgren, Jackson has more experience in a Mike Shanahan-like offense. Jackson is a nice reserve Fantasy option worth a middle- to late-round pick, watch the Marshall situation in Denver as well which could increase his playing time.

Tight End Sleepers For 2008

TE

Fred Davis (WAS) - Davis will be the No. 2 tight end behind starter Chris Cooley. He'll have to prove himself as a blocker before gaining significant playing time. In rookie drafts, consider Davis a third-round selection.

Kevin Boss (NYG) - Don't start the Kevin Boss hype machine just yet. The Giants are high on Darcy Johnson, who like Boss bulked up this spring. So for now Boss is the starter and this will increase his Fantasy value. In 2007 he caught nine balls for 118 yards and two TDs. Go into the season with Boss as a low-end No. 1 option.

Martrez Milner (ATL) - Martrez Milner would be the Falcons' primary pass catching tight end if the season began today. A rookie last year he will compete for the starting job this year, but he has minimal Fantasy value at this time.

Jeff King (CAR) - King started every game last season, but the Panthers want more from him in the run game. He showed a promising rapport with Jake Delhomme early in 2007 before fading badly down the stretch. He is competing for the starting job this year with Dante Roasrio and is a decent No. 2

Bo Scaife (TEN) - In 2007 Scaife set career highs in catches (46) and receiving yards (421). He will back up Alge Crumpler in 2008 and could be a factor if Crumpler misses time as a low-end bye-week or injury replacement.

Kicker Sleepers For 2008

K

John Kasay (CAR) - With the Panthers offense expected to be more explosive, consider Kasay a low-end No. 1. On a side note John Kasay has never been great on kickoffs, and will likely lose those duties to Rhys Lloyd in 2008

Jason Elam (ATL) - He'll be kicking in a dome now, but has lost some of his range and will be part of what projects to be a well below average offense. In 2008 for the Falcons he's a low-end No. 1 Fantasy PK. Look for Elam to be a good weapon for Atlanta

Rian Lindell (BUF) - Buffalo kicker Rian Lindell was accurate in 2007. He made 24-of-27 field goals and all 24 extra points. He is a solid kicker who holds up well in the elements in Buffalo but just doesn’t get enough scoring opportunities to be a starter on your Fantasy team. Can you say Bye Week fill in?

Matt Prater (DEN) - Matt Prater is expected to compete for the placekicking job in training camp. He'd be on a short leash during the season though because he has never done well in game settings.

Fantasy Defense | Special Teams Sleepers For 2008

DST

NY Jets - Sprinkle in 20 or so sacks and a few turnovers. The Jets Fantasy D isn't good enough to be used as a No. 1 DST, but they do have some upside and are well worth using as a bye-week replacement

Washington - Give the Skins spot start duty in 2008 as they have some good matchups. They will be a useful No. 2 DST worth using during bye weeks, they do have a bit more upside though now with Taylor on the team.

Kansas City - The unit is mostly a veteran crew that needs to be replaced. They're tough to predict. If you use them at all ONLY do it when they play at Arrowhead. We'll see how the rookies do I guess. With B.J. Sams signed to return kicks, they should still finish last in most leagues. A desperation bye-week replacement

Cleveland - Adding Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams to anchor the D-line was big. Some good matchups this year (see Baltimore), and with an upgraded D-Line more sacks are looming. And don't forget that they'll have speedy returner Joshua Cribbs working for them. I'd say they're worth a late round flier in the deepest of leagues.

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