Fantasy Football Sleepers 2012: Brandon LaFell and More High-Upside Targets

The 2012 NFL season is a week away, meaning it’s time to get your fantasy draft done, if you haven’t already.

One of the best ways to insure that you make the playoffs, look like a draft guru and earn championship glory against your friends and co-workers is to target sleepers and carefully select them in the mid-to-late rounds.

If you can get early-round production out of a player taken late in the draft, you’ll almost certainly have a leg up on your opponents.

Let’s take a look at a few sleepers to keep an eye on this year.

Brandon LaFell—Panthers WR

The Carolina Panthers are going to be a good team in 2012.

Cam Newton is only going to get better as a passer, and the rushing game is as dangerous as ever, with Mike Tolbert, Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams and the mobile truck of a QB.

Because of how scary the Panthers will be on the ground, defenses will have to remain honest in most scenarios. That will allow the No. 2 receiver, LaFell, to capitalize with single coverage.

He’s about to have a breakout year now that he’s earned the starting job and should be considered a No. 2 WR option in fantasy.

Kyle Rudolph—Vikings TE

Rudolph has Rob Gronkowski-like athleticism and could absolutely take over games if Christian Ponder can find him.

Considering that Percy Harvin is the only other serviceable weapon in the passing attack and the Minnesota Vikings will be forced to throw the ball while playing from behind, Rudolph should see plenty of targets.

The second-year TE could be a superstud in 2012.

Ryan Williams—Cardinals RB

The Cardinals are going to have a tough time passing the ball this year, meaning they will rely on the two-headed monster of Beanie Wells and Williams to provide the most offensive firepower.

Williams was a major sleeper in 2011 before suffering a season-ending injury in a preseason contest.

Now he’s fully healthy and ready to split time with Wells in the Red Birds backfield.

Expect the second-round pick to make the most of it and perform above expectations.