Who Is This Year's Ryan Grant in Fantasy Football?

Last year, Ryan Grant ran many fantasy owners all the way to the finals with his 956 yards and eight TDs, despite only starting seven games.

He was joined in the super-sleeper category last year by Packers' receiver Greg Jennings, who notched 920 yards and 12 TDs, as well as Tampa Bay's Earnest Graham, who racked up 898 yards and 10 TDs over 10 starts.

So who will surprise this year? It's a very popular question, and the time has come for me to weigh in with my answer.

Before I get any angry comments from the Lions' fans, I want you all to know that Calvin Johnson won't be on my list because I've seen him go as high as the sixth round in fantasy drafts, which disqualifies him as a sleeper.

A sleeper is someone who either gets taken in double-digit rounds or is undrafted and surprises many.

And so, in no particular order, let the breakdown begin.

Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings

Sidney Rice had a very average rookie year, gaining 396 yards and four TDs on 31 receptions.

This year, Rice will serve as the Vikings' No. 2, next to Bernard Berrian. Rice's 6'4" frame will offset Berrian's speed, and while Berrian will easily get more yards, Rice should pull in at least seven or eight TDs, becoming a great offensive weapon for Tarvaris Jackson, especially in the red zone.

A year of experience under his belt won't hurt either.

Rice shouldn't be drafted any higher than Round 11, and in most leagues, he will hit free agency without being drafted. You can take your chances on the waiver wire, but I would recommend scooping him up in one of the last two or three rounds as a reserve receiver to keep your eye on.

Jerry Porter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

If Jerry Porter played for Jacksonville last season, he would have been the Jaguars' leading receiver with 705 yards.

The Jaguars haven't had a 1,000-yard receiver since Jimmy Smith in 2005, and they are hoping Porter can be that guy. I wouldn't bank on him putting up stellar numbers, but he should duplicate, or even improve upon, last year's numbers in yards.

If Reggie Williams can grab 10 TDs in Jacksonville's passing system, then Porter can easily get at least eight.

He should be considered as a late-round flyer, and at this point, he could even be counted on as a No. 3 receiver, with the potential to develop into a No. 2.

Leonard Pope, TE, Arizona Cardinals

Leonard Pope is a good, blocking tight-end, but his receiving numbers shouldn't be overlooked either.

Pope logged 238 yards last year, which isn't great, but his five TDs were tied for eighth among all tight ends in the league, even though he missed the final two games of the season. He improved in his second year, and he should improve again this year.

Pope is perfectly designed to be a red-zone terror at 6'8" and 258 pounds, and the Cardinals realized that late last year, as three of Pope's five TDs came in his last five games.

His numbers should rise again this year, and while he won't get drafted in many leagues, he is well worth adding as at least a backup tight end, with the possibility to start for your team. He may even log eight or nine TDs.

Donald Lee, TE, Green Bay Packers

Donald Lee is in the perfect position for a breakout fantasy year.

Lee had a career year in 2007, with 575 yards and six TDs. This year, he is working with Aaron Rodgers instead of that Favre guy.

Some people might view that as a bad thing. I completely disagree.

Who is a young quarterback's best friend? A good, receiving tight end. That's exactly what Donald Lee is. Rodgers will be hitting him in the red zone and on check-down routes throughout this year, and Lee should be in line for a second straight career year.

Ryan Torain, RB, Denver Broncos

Mike Bell 2.0? Not quite. Ryan Torain can't fall into that category because he was actually drafted in the fifth round this year, and Mike Bell never was.

But in terms of fantasy production, he may very well be. A lot of fantasy-football players are talking about Selvin Young, Selvin Young, and Selvin Young.

But Broncos' head coach Mike Shanahan has been quoted praising Torain for his "first-round ability", and declared, on July 26, that the starting running-back job in Denver is officially up for grabs.

Torain will be drafted in less than one percent of fantasy drafts this year, but don't let that stop you from keeping an eye on him while he's on the waiver wire. Keep an eye on the position battle, and if Shanahan declares a starter before your draft, then take a flyer on that back in the last round.

Every running back thrives in Denver's system, and if given the opportunity, Torain could easily match Bell's 2006 numbers of 677 yards and eight TDs.

Don't bank too heavily on these guys, as they are only sleepers and nothing is guaranteed. But don't be afraid to take an 11th or 12th-round flyer on any of them, either.