Fantasy Football Draft Strategy 2012: Top Sleepers and More Players You Must Get

Odds are, if you haven’t drafted for your fantasy league just yet, you will be this weekend or next at the latest.

There are less than two weeks left before the season begins, and the time is now to identify your sleepers and top prospects.

Let’s take a look at each position and pick an elite player you should focus on drafting early and a sleeper you can fall back on late in the draft.

QB: Tom Brady / Jake Locker

The New England Patriots QB is primed for a monster year. He’s reunited with Josh McDaniels and has a legitimate deep threat in Brandon Lloyd.

Brady also has perhaps the most weapons of any signal caller in the league and knows how to use them to his advantage. Expect another 40-plus touchdown season.

Locker is a great sleeper as he’s just earned the starting gig in Tennessee. The Titans will rally around the young QB, who has a great arm and surprising mobility, to win a few games and put up good numbers.

RB: Arian Foster / Chris Rainey

Foster has taken a pounding over the past two seasons, but the fact of the matter is until he starts slowing down, he’s the top running back on the board. This guy simply dominates the gridiron and is in line for 20-plus carries per contest.

Rainey is a deep sleeper who might see the field due to his athleticism in Pittsburgh. The RB situation is a mess, with starter Rashard Mendenhall out for some time, and the former Florida star could take advantage.

WR: Andre Johnson / Brandon LaFell

Andre Johnson is flying a bit under the radar this season, despite being one of the most consistent options in fantasy football over the past decade.

The 31-year-old receiver was hindered by injury last year, but should be healthy and ready to go in 2012. With Matt Schaub back under center, you can count on greatness from the Texans WR.

LaFell earned the No. 2 spot across from Steve Smith in a new-look Panthers offense that has a much more confidant Cam Newton slinging the rock. They also plan to run the wishbone offense, putting a lot of pressure on the defense to stay honest and play the run. Expect the third-year receiver to take advantage of the single coverage and mental lapses from the opposing secondary.

TE: Rob Gronkowski / Kyle Rudolph

The GRONK is back for another season after a thrilling summer. He should be completely rehabilitated from the ankle injury he suffered last year and in line for another monster campaign.

Gronkowski might not reach his record-setting 17-touchdown figure again, but he’s a shoo-in for at least 10 and a ton of yards.

Rudolph is a sleeper pick due to the lack of weapons in Minnesota for Christian Ponder to throw at. Like Gronk, Rudolph is a freak athlete with massive hands who will yank down anything in his vicinity. Percy Harvin is going to get the lion’s share of targets on the Vikings, but Rudolph should be the second-leading receiver.