The Top 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers

General Peppers by Correspondent Written on July 01, 2009

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MINNEAPOLIS - DECEMBER 28:   Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball in for a touchdown as James Butler of the New York Giants defends on December 28, 2008 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defea
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With the conclusion of the NBA draft, basketball season is all but over—well, excluding the inevitable horrendous Mike Dunleavy signing.

This can only mean one thing: Criminally audacious fantasy football previews bordering on a ethereal indulgence to stupidity. More bad picks than any Clippers GM could possibly make in a lifetime.

(Four sentences and already two Clippers references. I still have the magic!)

"True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you smartest of all"—Socrates

It is because of the above quote that I have such a solipsistic outlook on my fantasy knowledge compared to the infinite 20-something college kids who think they know everything.

It's all a guessing game. I can't predict a future that doesn't exist.

I don't know who is going to get hurt.

I don't know what coach is going to lose his mind and start chucking the ball 40-50 times.

I don't know which rookie is going to decide his college days of smoking weed and roping in every freshman blonde with an inferiority complex are behind him.

All I can do is make predictions based on current trends.

And with that, I bring you my 2009-10 sleeper/busts list.

The sleeper category will be filled with upstart rookies, top guys that are going 2-3 spots too low, guys going 2-3 rounds too low, and guys who will break out.

I do a lot of research using team Web sites, looking through countless other fantasy writers previews, and personal knowledge. My goal is to try and bring sleepers everyone else isn't talking about.

Last year my big sleepers were Steve Slaton and Tim Hightower. Not a bad year.

Don't go taking these guys over proven All-Stars but make sure you keep an eye on them.

No.10: Knowshon Moreno

ENGLEWOOD, CO - JUNE 12:  First round draft pick running back Knowshon Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball during minicamp practice at the Broncos Dove Valley training facility on June 12, 2009 in Englewood, Colorado.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/

Originally, Moreno was going to finish much, much higher on this list. As I began putting this article together, I realized there were three essential problems holding him back:

1. He was the first running back taken. Every "expert" in your draft is reaching for this guy in the fourth or fifth round. Think Darren McFadden last year. He's not much of a sleeper because of that.

2. The Broncos' backfield is stacked. Yes, it is stacked with enough average guys that they drafted a running back with the first pick, but stacked nonetheless. He will get the starting job, but I'm just not sure how soon.

3. Brandon Marshall might leave. He is on record as saying he hates Denver. Teams will stack the box if he is off the scene.

What keeps Moreno so high on my list is his ability and the Broncos' offensive line. This is the kind of sleeper that could win you your league with a fifth or sixth week breakout.

No. 9: Chris Johnson

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 21:  Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans looks on during the game against the Houston Texans at LP Field on September 21, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Chris Johnson's recent outburst about wanting to be his own man pissed off Titans fans and most importantly Lendale White.

Fantasy owners like myself got excited instantly.

"You mean more carries for this freak of nature. Oh joyous days."

If you have any pick from No. 2 to No. 10 in your draft, take him. I mean it. Take him whenever you can, because you might not get another chance.

If you get points per reception, you might want to take him even higher than before. He's that good.

Don't worry about Lendale White—they're moving him to right tackle this offseason.

No. 8: Juaquin Iglesias

LAKE FOREST, IL - MAY 01: Juaquin Iglesias #17 of the Chicago Bears catches a pass during a rookie mini-camp practice on May 1, 2009 at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

When first hitting this slide I can safely assume I will get two kinds of people.

The first will be the one's saying, "Who the hell?"

The others will be the ones asking if this photograph was photoshopped, because no one on the Bears knows how to catch a pass.

I tell these people to say hello to Sam Bradford's best wide receiver, and Jay Cutler's only wide receiever.

You don't sign Cutler to not throw. Devin Hester is the deep ball target, and Iglesias should see quite a few short zone catches because of it.

No. 7: Larry Johnson

CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 28: Larry Johnson #27 of the Kansas City Chiefscarries the ball as he breaks a tackle during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 28, 2008 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

The ruiner of millions of fantasy seasons for the past three years running.

You may I ask why I put him on this list and in such decent position.

Don't worry baby birds, I'll feed you.

Larry Johnson plays in the worst division, defense-wise.

The Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders were all poor defensively last season

(The Chargers' pass defense made their run defense weak, the Raiders offense killed their defense, and the Broncos were just terrible)

The Chiefs have a revamped style and added Matt Cassel, which will open up the box.

Most importantly, Herm Edwards is in the booth and not the sidelines.

To top it all off, you can get Larry Johnson in the fifth, sixth, or seventh rounds.

No. 6: Deion Branch

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 14:  Deion Branch #83 of the Seattle Seahawks carries the ball against Oshiomogho Atogwe #21 of the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 14, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri.    (Photo by: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

He's one of the most forgettable Super Bowl MVPs of recent memory, but expect a huge comeback year from this man.

His injury was one of a multitude in Seattle last year, and because of the bad record, they were granted amazing draft picks.

Add in T.J Houshmandzadeh on the other side, and a poor division, and you have a serious sleeper you can grab in the 10th or 11th round.

No. 5: Kevin Walters

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 28:  Kevin Walters #83 of the Houston Texans gets ready to move at the snap during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on September 28, 2008 in Jacksonville, Florida.  (Photo by Sam Gree

Reggie Bush is going to marry Kim Kardashian and get divorced.

Paris Hilton will get drunk tonight.

Blake Griffin will tear his ACL due to something Mike Dunleavy did wrong.

Andre Johnson will not play all 16 games.

Some things are just guaranteed.

I'll save the individual stats for my team breakdown column, but let me just say that Kevin Walters is better than 99 percent of the wide receivers you'll draft ahead of him in the third round onwards.

No. 4: Alex Smith

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 04:  Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers prepares to throw a pass against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 4, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia.The Falcons defeated the 49ers 20-16.  (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Ima

This one is either going to blow up in my face or gain me a few more followers.

If Alex Smith can't do it this year with good coaching, Isaac Bruce, Frank Gore, and most importantly, Michael Crabtree, well, it's never going to happen.

No. 3 The Other Steve Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02:  Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants meets Brandon Jacobs #27 after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during their game on November 2, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Al

This is my guarantee of the year.

No Burress.

Amani is one year closer to retirement.

The running game is dominant.

A No. 1 receiver has to come by.

That man will be Steve Smith.

No. 2: Michael Turner

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 9: Running back Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons takes the field against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on November 9, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

"What the...?! How can Michael Turner be a sleeper?"

Because he will have a better season than he did last year. That's how.

For anyone thinking of picking Adrian Peterson first, please get your head checked.

Here are five reasons why Turner is a better choice than Peterson for those that need them.

1. Turner has a passing game. He won't be seeing eight guys in the box with six or seven blitzing. You can't sell out on the run.

2. Turner has a quarterback that can spot a heavy blitz, audible and make defenses pay.

3. Turner gets twice as many carries inside the 10-yard line compared to Peterson.

4.Turner's backup doesn't scoop away goal line carries.

5. Turner doesn't get hurt. Peterson's injury problems have almost become Andre Johnson-like.

If you get the first overall pick, take Turner.

No. 1: Donovan McNabb

PHILADELPHIA - MAY 1: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during minicamp practice at the NovaCare Complex on May 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Remember a couple years back when Donovan McNabb was on pace to break Dan Marino's passing record?

Don't feel bad, most people don't.

Fast forward to the present.

The Eagles have added one of the league's best linemen.

The Eagles drafted track star Jeremy Maclin to join their other track star DeSean Jackson. That gives the Eagles two receivers that fit perfectly into their West Coast system of turning short passes into long runs.

Mcnabb also has a penchant for the deep ball.

The Eagles added Lesean McCoy, a running back many were calling this draft's best, to the always dangerous Brian Westbrook.

When I say this Eagles team will be putting up huge numbers, I can't hyperbolize the word huge enough.

McNabb will be one of the top 3 quarterbacks this year, and he will be available in the fourth round in some drafts.

Get him while you still can.

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So there we have it. Feel free to agree or disagree with my picks, because once again, I know nothing at all and I am always willing to take more advice.

Stay tuned for my upcoming articles concerning Fantasy Football

I will be doing a top 10 busts and a team by team breakdown.

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written on July 01, 2009 Rankings/List

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