Fantasy Football Sleepers 2012: Offensive Gems Waiting to Be Uncovered

Although big-name stars are primarily responsible for leading fantasy football owners to league championships year in and year out, it's often times the sleepers that make the difference. 

Sleepers don't always stand out in the box score, but they can be relied upon week after week to deliver vital fantasy production.

Let's take a look at some offensive gems waiting to be uncovered this September.

Toby Gerhart, RB

Believe it or not, Toby Gerhart averaged more yards per carry than fellow Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson last season.

The former Stanford back averaged 4.9 yards per carry in 2011, running the ball 109 times for 531 yards and a touchdown.

With Peterson coming off a brutal knee injury suffered late last season, Gerhart could see more carries than most experts think. 

His average draft position is around 113th overall in ESPN Fantasy Leagues this summer, which seems surprising considering how strong of a runner he is and the current concern surrounding Peterson's future.

Nate Washington, WR

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington recorded his first career 1,000-yard receiving season in 2011, but he is being overlooked by fantasy owners so far this year.

Second-year Titans quarterback Jake Locker will be looking to veteran wideouts like Washington in  2012 in order to find some comfort in Tennessee's offense. 

Washington also had a career-best seven receiving touchdowns last season. 

What makes Washington such a phenomenal steal though is the fact that he has never missed a game in six NFL seasons. 

Fantasy owners can always count on Washington on Sundays, and that's rare in today's game. 

David Wilson, RB

New York Giants rookie David Wilson is a speedster with incredible vision out of the backfield. A first-round pick last April, Wilson promises to earn a significant amount of touches in 2012.

Wilson averaged 5.9 yards per carry last season with Virginia Tech in college, carrying the ball 290 times for more than 1,700 yards. 

According to The New York Post's Paul Schwartz, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has interest in using Wilson as an outside rushing option while utilizing veteran Ahmad Bradshaw as primarily an inside rusher.

Wilson had a stellar preseason, averaging more than 4.5 yards per carry and consistently demonstrating what fantasy owners love to see; explosion, speed and breakaway runs. 

Wilson comes at a risk as a rookie, but he possesses the potential to be one of the most talented offensive weapons in the league this season nonetheless.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter all season long for more fantasy football analysis.