The Top 50 Fantasy Football Sleepers for the 2011 NFL Season

With the NFL lockout reportedly to be lifted this week, now we can start to looking forward to our fantasy football leagues in the hopes of winning a title. 

Each and every year there are a select few players that are considered to be "sleepers" prior to everyone's fantasy drafts.

However, only a few of those select players will actually turn out to be a productive member on your respected team.

Here are the top 50 fantasy football sleepers for the 2011 NFL season. 

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50. Pierre Garcon

Pierre Garcon is turning into quite the NFL wide receiver as he emerges into one of Peyton Manning's most reliable targets.

Last season for the Colts, Garcon caught 67 passes for 784 yards and six touchdowns in just 14 games. If Garcon can stay healthy, he should be a solid option coming of your bench or even starting in most fantasy leagues. 

49. Mark Clayton

In just five games for the St. Louis Rams last season, Mark Clayton managed to snag 23 balls for 306 yards and two touchdowns, as be emerged as Sam Bradford's top receiver.

However, his season fell short due to a torn PCL in his right knee.

If Clayton returns healthy, he should be a reliable option in your fantasy league. 

48. BenJarvus Green-Ellis

BenJarvus Green-Ellis very quietly ran for over 1,000 yards in 2010 for the Patriots and is certainly worth a later-round pick for fantasy owners.

Green-Ellis may see a dip in playing time due to the selections of Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, but he's a solid goal-line running back that scored 13 touchdowns on the ground last year for New England. 

47. Earl Bennett

Earl Bennett is one of the many Chicago Bears that benefited in Mike Martz' offensive system last year and should get even better in 2011.

Bennett tallied up 46 receptions for 561 yards while scoring three times in just 14 games. If Bennett is able to put together a 16-game season, he should be one of the more reliable receivers in the NFL.

It's likely that Bennett will fall under most fantasy owners' radars.  

46. Louis Murphy

Each year, Louis Murphy's stats got better and better.

Murphy could emerge as one of Jason Campbell's top receivers in 2011 and could be worth the gamble in the later rounds of your fantasy draft. 

45. Plaxico Burress

After spending significant jail time, it's unclear if Plaxico Burress can return to being a productive football player in the NFL.

Burress may be the biggest risk of them all when it comes to choosing your sleeper picks, but he could pay off big time in the long run. 

44. Mario Manningham

Mario Manningham has quietly caught nearly 60 passes in each of the last two seasons for the New York Giants and has the potential to burst onto the scene in 2011 as a very productive fantasy option. 

43. Dustin Keller

With the likelihood of the Jets being unable to keep both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, it's safe to expect to see Dustin Keller's productive to improve in 2011.

Keller is a very talented tight end and can be one of the league's top if he received more touches. 

42. Brandon Tate

At times, Brandon Tate was quite the offensive weapon for Tom Brady, but inconsistency certainly was Tate's downfall during his second year in the league.

Tate is a very talented wide receiver, but being consistent is what kills him from being a quality fantasy option. 

41. Jordy Nelson

Jordy Nelson should see more playing time in 2011 thanks to his productive 2010 season as he reeled in 45 passes for 582 yards and two touchdowns.

Nelson may be the Green Bay Packers' third wide receiver, but he should get plenty of looks in their pass prolific offense. 

40. Daniel Thomas

The Miami Dolphins may have struck gold with the addition of Daniel Thomas in this year's draft.

As of right now, Thomas is the only running back on Miami's roster and should see some major playing time in 2011. 

Thomas will likely remain under the radar of many fantasy owners but should be considered a sleeper with loads of potential. 

39. Michael Bush

Michael Bush has quietly averaged 4.4 yards per carry over his three-year career with the Oakland Raiders and has the talent to burst onto the scene in 2011 under first-year head coach Hue Jackson. 

38. Danny Woodhead

Danny Woodhead saw career numbers in the passing and rushing categories during his first year as a member of the New England Patriots. 

Woodhead emerged as New England's top third-down and change-of-pace running back and will have a legitimate shot at emerge as one of the league's most dynamic running backs in 2011. 

37. Donovan McNabb

We all know that Donovan McNabb is a solid NFL quarterback despite his disappointing performance with the Washington Redskins in 2010.

Wherever McNabb will play this season is unknown, but it is known that he's a fierce competitor and will do whatever it takes to improve on his subpar performance last season. 

If you see McNabb in the later rounds of your draft, it wouldn't be a bad idea drafting him. 

36. Bernard Scott

Bernard Scott is an impressive young running back with loads of potential and should see an increased role in 2011.

Scott ran for 299 yards on just 61 carries in 2010 for the Bengals but should be more productive in Cincinnati's young and inexperienced offense this season. 

35. Mike Williams

Mike Williams was Josh Freeman's top receiver in 2010 as he recorded 65 receptions for 964 yards as he scored 11 touchdowns.

As Freeman gets better, I think it's safe to assume that Williams will accumulate well over 1,000 receiving yards and at least 15 touchdown receptions. 

34. Mikel Leshoure

If Matthew Stafford can stay healthy for the entire 2011 season, then that would do dividends for rookie running back Mikel Leshoure.

Leshoure has the potential to be offensive rookie of the year in such a stellar yet young offense in Detroit. 

33. Steve Breaston

Steve Breaston is arguably one of the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL and could see a boost of production in 2011.

Assuming that the Arizona Cardinals are going to address their awful quarterback position, then it's safe to say that Breaston's value as a fantasy option will certainly increase. 

32. Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell had a bumpy yet promising first year with the Oakland Raiders.

Campbell has the potential to be a quality NFL starter and could flourish in another season in Hue Jackson's offensive system. 

31. Jermaine Gresham

Jermaine Gresham is one of the NFL's up-and-coming tight ends as he reeled in 52 passes for four touchdowns during his rookie season last year.

Gresham will certainly be a reliable option at the tight end position in 2011 but will likely fall under the radar. 

30. Kevin Kolb

Whoever trades for Kevin Kolb is certainly playing to slot him in as their starting quarterback for 2011 and should see some major playing time.

Kolb has a strong arm that can be very productive and may be one of the top sleeper quarterbacks in the 2011 season. 

29. Jacoby Ford

Jacoby Ford is arguably the Oakland Raiders' most explosive and dynamic player and could emerge as the team's big-play threat in 2011.

In 2010, Ford averaged 18.8 yards per-reception and should develop an even better relationship with Jason Campbell entering next season. 

28. Chad Ochocinco

Where ever Chad Ochocinco plays next season, he should produce some very impressive numbers.

Ochocinco will be entering his final year of his contract, and we all know that players will do whatever it takes to produce top-notch numbers when it's a contract year. 

27. Tony Moeaki

Tony Moeaki is a young tight end that will fall under many fantasy owners' radar entering the 2011 fantasy draft season.

Moeaki is a talented receiver that should see more red-zone targets in 2011. 

26. Jordan Shipley

Jordan Shipley should emerge as a very productive wide receiver considering that Terrell Owens will not be returning in 2011 due to his ACL injury. 

Shiply caught 52 passes for 600 yards during his rookie season with the Bengals and should improve his numbers as he'll be entering his second year in the league with a much more significant role in the team's offense. 

25. Sam Bradford

Sam Bradford managed to toss 18 touchdowns in 2010 with literally no house-hold name receivers.

Bradford will be entering his second year in the league and should improve on his already solid numbers from his rookie campaign. 

Most fantasy owners will be hoping that the St. Louis Rams will surround Bradford with more talent in 2011. 

24. Michael Crabtree

Michael Crabtree is one talented wide receiver that has fallen under most fantasy owners' radar since last season.

Crabtree should be a much more valuable part in Jim Harbaugh's West Coast offense in 2011. 

23. Lance Kendricks

Tight end Lance Kendricks was the St. Louis Rams' 47th overall pick in this year's draft and could become one of Sam Bradford's favorite targets in 2011.

It always seems like that young quarterbacks love having reliable tight ends, and Kendricks is certainly a player that could emerge as a very productive tight end. 

22. Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram is arguably the most NFL-ready player coming out of the 2011 NFL draft class.

Ingram will join a pass-heavy offense in New Orleans and could certainly balance the team's scoring attack and emerge as one of fantasy's top producing running backs. 

21. Jerricho Cotchery

Assuming that the New York Jets wont be able to re-sign both Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards, then it's safe to assume that Jerricho Cotchery will produce at a higher level in 2011.

Cotchery has always been a quality option at the wide receiver position but has fallen under the radar quite some bit, but he has the opportunity to emerge as a quality offensive weapon. 

20. Felix Jones

Felix Jones is one player that has been improving ever since he entered the league in 2008.

Jones ran for 800 yards last season and has a legitimate chance at accumulating well over 1,000 yards in 2011 for the Dallas Cowboys. 

19. Joe Flacco

To many, Joe Flacco isn't considered a sleeper pick, however, I strongly believe that he is.

Flacco falls just short of the top tier of quarterbacks in the NFL and could certainly be over-looked by many fantasy owners entering 2011. 

It might be a wise choice to pass on quarterbacks until the middle rounds where you can snag someone of the high caliber of production like Flacco. 

18. Colt McCoy

Colt McCoy is a young yet promising quarterback and could earn himself the starting job in Cleveland this training camp. 

McCoy played in eight games last season for the Browns and threw for 1,576 yards as he tossed six touchdowns. 

Not too many people will invest in McCoy, but he's a talented player with loads of potential, which labels him to be a sleeper. 

17. LeGarrette Blount

LeGarrette Blount was the only rookie running back to rush for 1,000 yards in 2010 as he only played in a total of 13 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now only imagine how well he'll do in a full season. 

16. Shonn Greene

Shonn Greene was over-shadowed by LaDainian Tomlinson last season, but he did accumulate 766 total yards on the ground.

By looking at Tomlinson's age, there's a good chance that Greene will be even more involved in the Jets' offense in 2011. 

15. Devin Hester

Devin Hester's stats may be on the decline, but due to his potential and lack of production, he's labeled a sleeper. 

Hester is Chicago's best deep threat, and if the Bears and improve their running game from 2010, then Hester should be able to get more shots deep in 2011. 

14. Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez is certainly worth the gamble to be your backup quarterback on your fantasy roster.

Sanchez will be entering his third year in the league and has all the talent and tools around him to have a breakout year in 2011. 

Stay on the look out for Sanchez. 

13. Chris "Beanie" Wells

Most will consider Beanie Wells to be a rather disappointment for the Arizona Cardinals but still is one talented running back.

Wells will be receiving some competition in 2011 with the addition of rookie Ryan Williams and could certainly spark Wells into having a breakout year. 

12. Aaron Hernandez

Aaron Hernandez is one player that you want to have on your fantasy team.

Hernandez is listed as a tight end, however he's a mismatch nightmare as he players more like a wide receiver.

As he enters his second year in the league, I'm expecting him to emerge as one of Tom Brady's favorite targets. 

11. Tony Scheffler

Tony Scheffler's first year in Detroit was a rather disappointing one as he only scored one touchdown.

Prior to playing for the Lions, Scheffler was a solid offensive tight end in Denver and has the capability to be a true red-zone threat as member of the Lions. 

10. Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas put up very respectable numbers last season as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas reeled in 66 balls for 820 yards.

Another year with quarterback David Garrard, Thomas should emerge as a Pro Bowl caliber wide receiver. 

9. Legedu Naanee

There's a great possibility that the Chargers will enter 2011 without wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd, and Legedu Naanee is the next receiver on the depth chart.

If Naanee sees more playing time in 2011, he's a sleeper that very well could be worth the risk in a later round. 

8. C.J. Spiller

Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller had a very disappointing rookie season, as he only averaged 3.8 yards per carry.

However, Spiller is a very talented running back with loads of potential, he's definitely a player that's worth the risk. 

7. Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow has all the talent in the world, and if he wins the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback job over Brady Quinn and Kyle Orton, there is a good chance that he'll put up very impressive stats. 

6. Matthew Stafford

If Matthew Stafford can find a way to play an entire 16 game NFL season, he has the potential to be a top-10 fantasy passer. 

Prior to being sidelined for the majority of last season, Stafford put up huge numbers in just three games: six touchdowns and just one interception as he tossed 535 yards. 

5. Julio Jones

Julio Jones may be in the best position to succeed out of every single rookie entering 2011.

Jones will line up opposite of Roddy White and should become Matt Ryan's second favorite target in Atlanta's prolific passing attack. 

4. Ryan Matthews

Ryan Matthews had a rather disappointing rookie season for the San Diego Chargers, as he managed to only play in 12 games. However, in those 12 games Matthews displayed promising signs as being a potential top of the league running back.

Matthews averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season for the Chargers as he scored seven touchdowns. If Matthews can stay healthy, he should become a very reliable option in everyone's fantasy league. 

3. Josh Freeman

Josh Freeman is a young quarterback is on the rise to emerge as one of the league's top quarterbacks.

Last year for the Buccaneers, in just his second season, he tossed a stellar 25 touchdown passes while only being picked off a minimal six times—not to mention, Freeman posted a solid 95.9 passer rating. 

2. Dez Bryant

Over the course of Dez Bryant's 12-game rookie performance, he certainly posted some promising stats. 

Bryant caught 45 passes while scoring six touchdowns as he accumulated 561 total receiving yards. As he enters his second year, he should emerge as one of Tony Romo's most reliable and productive receivers. 

1. Jonathan Stewart

Jonathan Stewart has been overshadowed his entire career as he sat behind DeAngelo Williams, who is one of the league's most dynamic running backs.

If Williams, who's set to become a free agent, decides to sign somewhere else, Stewart should put up some major stats. Stewart will likely become Carolina's top offensive player and has the potential to be a 1,500-yard rusher.