Fantasy Football 2012: 5 Late-Round Rookies Worth Your Pick

On September 5, the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants will kick off the 2012 NFL season alongside the spectacle of trash-talking, name-calling and large amounts of hard-won cash (maybe) that is the fantasy football season. 

Many of us have been tirelessly poring over rosters, injury lists, schedules and fantasy projections. We want to pick the perfect team to destroy and humiliate our friends, families and that annoying co-worker that is only in the league 'cause your wife/girlfriend/significant other said you were being mean by excluding them. 

At any rate, the NFL draft has served up an extremely talented and exciting rookie class that should score some major points in fantasy leagues in 2012. Having said that, some of them are in danger of being overlooked, which could be disastrous for your team.

Here are five late-round rookie sleepers that are worth your pick. 

Cyrus Gray, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Cyrus Gray was one of the more impressive running backs in this year's draft, posting a 1,000-plus yard season last year with Texas A&M and running in 12 TDs (via CBSSports). 

Gray slipped down to the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round, which is a testament to how impressive this running back class was.

He brings a multi-faceted game to the Chiefs offense, since he is dynamic on the ground and also in the passing game. 

Gray is currently behind Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis on the depth chart in the backfield, but if Hillis continues to have inconsistent performances, Gray very well could jump up to second. 

At any rate, Gray is the perfect third-down back. He should grind some yards out for both the Chiefs and your fantasy team this season.

Bryce Brown, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Bryce Brown was drafted in the seventh round by the Eagles, but has really impressed during preseason and earned himself a spot on the Eagles roster. 

In their last preseason game, Brown had nine carries for 20 yards and a TD. He also picked up 30 yards receiving in the win over the New York Jets (via ESPN). 

Brown is looking to hold down the third running back spot, but with Dion Lewis as his competition for the backup role, it's possible Brown could get a lot more carries than he anticipated.

Brown is a powerful runner and could very well take up most of the short yardage work for the Eagles. 

Rod Streater, WR, Oakland Raiders

Rod Streater has been making some noise in Oakland, putting forth some impressive performances for the Raiders.

Despite being low down on the depth chart, Streater has the skill set to make an impact on Oakland's offense. He's big, fast and while he's obviously inexperienced, he looks to make a shout for consistent appearances for the Raiders.

As the season progresses, the receiving corps is likely to be hit with injuries, which would open the door for Streater to showcase his skills to the NFL.  

Jeff Fuller, WR, Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins made an interesting move in signing undrafted free agent Jeff Fuller in the offseason, and Fuller has gone on to have one of the most productive preseasons of anyone on the Dolphins roster. 

Fuller is coming off a quiet season at Texas A&M, with just 828 yards and six touchdowns (via ESPN). However, he has maintained that quiet determination and impressed in Miami, becoming one of the Dolphins' more consistent performers this preseason. 

With Fuller's only competition coming from starters Legedu Naanee and Davone Bess, look for him to find the field more often than not and become a factor in Miami's success this season. 

Chris Givens, WR, St. Louis Rams

Despite failing to catch a ball in the Rams' recent preseason loss to the Cowboys, rookie WR Chris Givens should be a huge factor for the team this season.

Givens is easily the fastest wideout on the roster. According to ESPN, he "has all the intangibles" to continue his push up the depth chart. 

This kid is scary fast and scary good at what he does. Givens could be that late-round pick that could change your fantasy team from pretender to contender.