Who Will Be This Year's Michael Turner? Five Fantasy Football Sleepers for '09

Even though we more than three months away from football season. All of us die hard Fantasy addicts are preparing for the 2009 season. One of the major keys to success in fantasy football is your draft strategy.

There is nothing that can set a team apart from the others than getting the bargain sleepers in the late Rounds. Kudos to all of you whom Drafted the likes of Michael Turner, Chris Johnson, and Kurt Warner.

Here is part of my 2009 fantasy football Stimulus package and five fantasy sleepers. To target on draft day.

1. Derrick Ward RB Buccaneers

As the No. 2 Rb with the New York Giants last year Ward finished the season with 1,025 rushing yards on 182 carries and 41 receptions for 384 yards. the downside to Ward this year is he is expected to split carries with Earnest Graham and Caddilac Williams.

Ward is expected to see around 15 carries a game and Graham is sure to steal some goal lime carries from Ward. Ward does have big play ability and he was the best backup in the NFL last year whom is now looking at a starting role.

Which puts him in a similar situation to Michael Turner last year. I do not expect to see the same type of success from Ward that we saw from Turner last year, but most fantasy experts have Ward as a number 3 RB and I think he could become a top No. 2 option in the 2009 season.

2. Anthony Gonzalez WR Colts

Gonzalez is entering his "magical" third season in the NFL. Not only is it his third year but he has received a promotion now the Marvin Harrison is no longer on the team. last year Gonzalez Totaled 664 yards and 4 TDs.

With this year being a little thin at the Wr position for fantasy football production Gonzalez can be drafted as a No. 3 or 4 WR around round seven and end up more like a No. 2 WR.

3. Kyle Orton QB Broncos

All of the attention from the trade that sent Jay Cutler to the Bears, has centered around Jay Cutler and his teammates. How cutlers value has fallen while players like Matt Forte, and Greg Olsen stock has risen.

Another Player whom stock as risen as well out of the trade is Kyle Orton.

Last year Orton passed for over 2,900 yards and had 21 total touchdowns 18 passing and 3 rushing. This year Orton has a better situation to produce better stats. He is now in the QB friendly offense off Josh McDaniels.

Orton now has better play making wide outs in Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal and tight end Tony Scheffler. Also Orton is on a team that the defense will force the offense to score a lot of points.

I don't think that he will be the Kurt Warner of this year, or even post the stats close to Jay Cutlers last year. Orton's stats should only get better from last year. I predict around 3,500 yards and 25 TDs.

He should be drafted as a No. 2 QB around rounds nine or 10. He has the potential to be a low end No. 1 QB this season.

4. Jamaal Charles RB Chiefs

Jamaal Charles is a deeper sleeper candidate then the last three players.

However, he is on a young Chiefs team who are looking for change. Larry Johnson will start the season. Johnson has been on the decline and does not have mush gas left in the tank.

He did not even rush for 1,000 yards last year. He is unhappy in the situation in Kansas city, and wants out. To top it all of he has a tendency to attract of the field issues.

I predict that Charles will have the chance to shine this year, possibly take over the starting Job in Kansas City before the season is over.

He is a great late-round sleeper to take a chance on while adding depth to your RB's. However there is some risk involved. He could end up a a nice flex or even second RB option later in the season.

5. Hakeem Nicks WR Giants

I am normally not big on Rookie wide receivers. Most don't make an immediate impact. Some of the biggest names from this years draft however are the receivers.

Like Michael Crabtree and Percy Harvin. Both Crabtree and Harvin will be drafted to Early in most leagues by some one eager to add them to their team. I think that Nicks will be much better bargain.

If it is close to the end of your draft and you need depth at the WR position target Hakeem Nicks. He is going to a better situation than both Crabtree and Harvin. Simply because Eli Manning is his quarterback.

I foresee the giants spreading the ball around a lot this so they wont have a clear cut No. 1 WR. However Nicks adds the deep threat that they need to help replace Plaxico Burress.

Nicks has also shown a very strong work ethic in mini camp so far and has left a great impression on coaches. I don't see Nicks as a must start each week, but should be a good bye week and injury replacement. Also I predict Nicks to be the rookie stand out WR of this year.