Michael Vick, LaDanian Tomlinson and the Most Surprising Fantasy Football Studs

Every preseason, the hype begins to build.

Which players are going to make for great late-round sleeper picks? Which veterans are in for a letdown season? How much depth is there at the wide receiver position? These questions are just examples of the many that run through an owner's head while the clock counts down on draft day. 

While some sleepers make owners look like experts, there are an equal amount of big-name busts that fail to live up to their draft slots. With big-name early round picks like Tony Romo and Dallas Clark standing on the sidelines, some may not be too thrilled with how their squad turned out.

There have been plenty of surprises in fantasy football this year, but none more surprising than the players included in this list.

Ethan is a contributing consultant to Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.

8. Marcedes Lewis, TE Jacksonville Jaguars

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Marcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates after he scored a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Invariably in almost every fantasy football draft, once stud Antonio Gates is selected, the run on tight ends begins. Followed by Dallas Clark, Jermichael Finley, and Vernon Davis, owners are always looking to secure a top-tier option.

Well, Finley and Clark are both on IR, and Davis hasn’t exactly been the same producer he was a season ago.

Although Lewis has been involved in the passing game in previous seasons, he’s never been the red-zone weapon that he’s proven to be this season. With seven touchdowns in nine games, it seems QB David Garrad is looking his way every time the Jags are inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

Although his receiving yardage won’t blow anyone out of the water, he ranks second behind Gates is points by a tight end this season, and any way he can rack ‘em up, owners will surely take.  

7. LaDanian Tomlinson, RB New York Jets

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 14: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs the ball by linebacker David Bowens #96 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty I

Shonn Greene was supposed to be the top dog for Gang Green, but it hasn’t exactly worked out that way.

After a slow start to the season for the second-year back out of Iowa, Tomlinson stepped in and immediately showcased the moves that made him a perennial Pro Bowler for San Diego. Cutting, dancing and breaking tackles, Tomlinson showed no sign of age, wear or tear, and has proven to be a rock-solid RB2 for owners who gambled on him as a backup.

His 4.7 average yards per carry are his highest since 2007-08, and his contributions in the passing game have been a welcome addition for QB Mark Sanchez. Using ESPN’s standard scoring, Tomlinson has more fantasy points than Steven Jackson, Michael Turner, Jahvid Best and even Ray Rice.  

6. Peyton Hillis, RB Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates their victory over the New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

After being gift-wrapped to the Browns this offseason for QB Brady Quinn in what has to be one of the most lopsided trades of all time, Hillis is mashing through every defense without any problem.

Hillis already more than doubled his previous career high in rushing yards and is well on pace for his first 1,000 yard season of his young career.

Perhaps what’s most impressive about Hillis’ breakout season thus far is the fact that he’s currently third in the NFL with eight rushing touchdowns, trailing only Arian Foster and Chris Johnson.

An absolute beast, Hillis and his enormous biceps should have no problem carving out a wonderful future in the league, as he appears to be the new and improved version of former fantasy football favorite Mike Alstott. 

5. Terrell Owens, WR Cincinnati Bengals

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 24: Terrell Owens #81 of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 24, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Owens couldn’t even find a team that was willing to take a chance on him before friend and teammate WR Chad Ochocinco lobbied for him to join the Bengals.

Signed to a ridiculously cheap one-year, incentive-laden deal, Owens has surpassed all expectations that anyone held for the veteran. Enjoying a better fantasy season than Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall and Larry Fitzgerald, it's clear that No. 81 still has plenty left in the tank. 

He’s already surpassed last year’s numbers and is on his way to yet another 1,000+-yard season, so it’s safe to say that the demand for Owens will rise substantially when he hits free agency once again this offseason.

4. Darren McFadden, RB Oakland Raiders

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

McFadden has scored double-digit fantasy points in every contest that he’s been on the field.

Despite missing a couple of games due to injury, the former draft pick has quickly shed his blossoming bust label and has really come out of nowhere to enjoy a breakout season.

Prior to Week 1, many thought it would be teammate Michael Bush who would be the favorite for carries with the Raiders, but an early injury gave McFadden the opportunity and he’s really run with it. Averaging over 100 yards rushing per game, the Arksansas product is also a legitimate threat in the passing game with 24 receptions for 242 yards.

With 999 total yards and still seven games to play, owners have to be thrilled with what they’ve received from the late-round flier. 

3. Kyle Orton, QB Denver Broncos

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos greets his teammates as they enter the field to face the Kansas City Chiefs at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 49-2

After alluding to his budding fantasy stardom earlier in the season, Orton’s play has taken my hypothesis and turned it to fruition.

Currently the No. 2 quarterback on ESPN, trailing only MVP-candidate Philip Rivers, Orton’s return on investment has been phenomenal considering he was most likely selected long after the likes of Flacco and Favre.

With 2,806 passing yards entering Week 11, it’s almost certain that Orton will eclipse his career-high mark of 3,802 yards set last season. His 16:5 TD:INT ratio ranks him among the top at his position, and he’s averaging over 300 yards per game.

What more can you ask from the neckbeard?

2. Brandon Lloyd, WR Denver Broncos

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd #84 of the Denver Broncos celebrates the Broncos 49-29 win over the Kansas City Chiefs as he leaves the field at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmon

Who are we kidding? Lloyd already has the Comeback Player of the Year Award wrapped up in fantasy football circles.

Perhaps the biggest afterthought across all draft boards, Lloyd went undrafted in just about every league outside of the deepest ones that play with more than 12 teams. After compiling just 495 receiving yards since the 2007-08 season, Lloyd already has 968 yards (career high) this season through just nine games.

With five of those being 100+-yard efforts, including two where he went off for 169 yards, the veteran is clearly Orton’s favorite target and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Regularly making ridiculous highlight-reel grabs, Lloyd has really come into his own at age 29 and established himself as a legitimate WR1.  

1. Michael Vick, QB Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The No. 1 player on this list for obvious reason, Vick was an afterthought in most drafts.

After attempting just 13 passes all of last season, the dynamic quarterback has dropped back to throw 153 times (and counting) without throwing an interception.

Additionally, his 115.1 QB rating and 62.7 completion percentage are both career-highs. Supported by 15 total touchdowns, Vick has yet to turn the ball over and is making it look easy with every pinpoint pass and electric run.

And his owners are certainly reaping the rewards as a result. If you were smart enough to draft him, kudos to you. If you were lucky enough to grab him off the waiver wire, sit back and enjoy the ride.