5 Fantasy Football Dark-Horse Sleepers Who Could Break Out in 2013

What is it about the dark horse that instantly grabs our attention, captures our imaginations and sparks our enthusiasm?

Those personal qualities and background stories that tug at our heartstrings and endear us to athletes who we seemingly know very little about? 

Perhaps, it's just human nature to root for the underdog, but, then again, perhaps, it goes much deeper. 

After all, who doesn't like rooting for those who inspire and give us hope—those who show us that with hard work and perseverance nearly anything is possible? 

These are the players who, maybe like you, are just waiting for their opportunity—that one chance to seize the day and finally bring glory to their last name. 

And, maybe, just maybe, help you bring home that coveted fantasy football trophy in the process. 

Here's a look at five players who can do just that and possibly even help you restore your image as general manager of the year and team to beat in 2013.

Honorable Mentions

Danny Woodhead, RB, San Diego Chargers:

It's hard to call Woodhead a fantasy football sleeper, considering all he did during his time in New England; however, his future could shine even brighter out in San Diego with a more increased role and back who earns extra flare in PPR leagues. 

Vick Ballard, RB, Indianapolis Colts:

The Colts' offense revolves around Andrew Luck, but that doesn't mean others wont benefit by his sheer presence in 2013. Ballard figures to be one of those players and should benefit directly from the easier box looks because of the team's notable passing attack.  

Chris Ivory, RB, New York Jets:

Brought over in a draft-day trade with the Saints, new Jets running back Chris Ivory figures to earn and play a more instrumental role on a team built for the physical downhill running style that Ivory can immediately provide.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Cincinnati Bengals:

There are plenty of mouths to feed in Cincinnati but Bengals second-year wide receiver Sanu could be the one in store for the biggest increase in production and targets in 2013. As a possession-type receiver, Sanu makes for an excellent resource at or near the goal line and in third-down situations. Figure him to play the role of T.J. Houshmandzadeh to A.J. Green's Chad Ochocinco. 

Tyler Wilson, QB, Oakland Raiders:

One would have to think Matt Flynn will get his chance to finally start, but should he fail expect him to once again concede to another rookie quarterback with the last name of Wilson for the second year in a row. Making Tyler a sneaky pickup, especially in dynasty league formats. 

Joseph Randle, RB, Dallas Cowboys:

DeMarco Murray hasn't exactly been the epitome of health since being drafted out of Oklahoma in 2011 and now Randle enters the fold as one of the more undervalued and balanced backs to come out of the 2013 NFL draft.Consider him to be a low risk high reward candidate and one of those key players who could become an excellent handcuff option in the case Murray fails to remain on the field. 

1. Jarrett Boykin, WR, Green Bay Packers

There is, perhaps, no better team at cycling in new wide receivers than the Green Bay Packers. Year after year, new names enter the fold, and year after year, those new names start producing. 

Take for instance just this past year.

Not just one, but two receivers, Randall Cobb and James Jones, broke out for the Green and Gold—accounting for nearly 150 receptions and over 20 receiving touchdowns between the two of them.

In 2011 another wide receiver broke out. Jordy Nelson set the “Frozen Tundra” on fire with an astounding season by catching 68 balls for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Of course, it never hurts when you have a quarterback as talented as Aaron Rodgers throwing you the football—or playing in an offense that favors the pass much more than the run—nevertheless, what we have started to see is this trend beginning to emerge:

Green Bay wide receivers entering the season as third- or fourth-string options and go on to become extremely valuable and relevant fantasy commodities by season's end.

This year, that Packers player could very well be second-year wide receiver Jarrett Boykin.

As an undrafted player out of Virginia Tech, Boykin fell mostly in the draft because of his poor time in the 40-yard dash (4.57); however, he had always been the type of receiver whose whole was much greater than the sum of his parts.

Take for instance, he has the unique ability to use his size and physicality to outmuscle defenders, while using his body to create separation. Or, there's his superb hand-eye coordination helping to make catches in traffic, while also making adjustments to poorly thrown balls. 

These are just a few of the skills that allowed him to become Virginia Tech's all-time leading receiver, and while Green Bay may already have its fair share of possession-type receivers, Rodgers is the type of quarterback who isn't afraid of spreading the ball around, telling the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that Boykin is "going to get some opportunities this year," according to Tyler Dunne. 

That's likely music to Boykins' ears; yours, too, should be ringing with excitement. 

After all, if there's one team that knows how to evaluate talent at the wide receiver position, it's the Green Bay Packers. Why else do you think the team felt comfortable letting Greg Jennings walk this offseason?

The answer to that question lies squarely in their trust and belief in Boykin.

He's a fantasy football dark horse in every sense of the word and just one of the players you'll need to keep tracking throughout the 2013 season.

2. Patrick Edwards, WR, Detroit Lions

When generating a list, such as this one, there are a few key areas you want to initially look at. Those areas are: skill, opportunity and fit.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Patrick Edwards is one player who possesses all three. 

Edwards was able to put up remarkable numbers in college while playing in a spread offensive system at Houston that favored the vertical passing game. 

In Detroit, the Lions operate what the league likes to call a pass-first offense.

It's the same pass-first offense that has made them the most pass-heavy NFL team overall the past two seasons, with an astounding 1,406 attempts over that time span, according to Sporting News.

Clearly the Lions and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan like to chuck the ball, and Edwards' familiarity with this type of system only makes him all the more attractive to fantasy owners—especially when considering his rather explosive qualities to stretch the field opposite Calvin Johnson. 

Recently, Edwards' teammate Nate Burleson told the Detroit Free Press that he "guarantees he {Edwards} will be a big-time playmaker for us this year."

Those are certainly strong words coming from a respected NFL veteran. Edwards was well on his way to making an impact as early as last season before a quadriceps injury landed him on the injured reserve. 

Now healthy, Edwards is, once again, generating plenty of buzz following the Lions OTAs, prompting respected talent evaluator Matt Waldman to offer up his take on the 5'9", 175-pound receiver's fantasy value—citing him as "a player to keep an eye on and someone who has value in deeper leagues or dynasty formats."

Look, from here, opportunity will be key as it always is for any young player.

Nevertheless, what we have here is a classic case of talent and fit.

Now all that needs to happen is for Edwards to get his opportunity to shine—which is certainly very possible, considering the lack of overall depth and injury history the Lions have recently had at the position. 

It's reason enough for you to be keeping an eye on this emerging young talent whose current situation is oozing with potential and future promise.

3. Rob Housler, TE, Arizona Cardinals

With zero career touchdown receptions in his first two NFL seasons, it might seem odd at first to include Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler on this list.

With that being said, as a player with the inside track to the starting job and a bevy of athletic talent, Housler is exactly the type of dark-horse player figuring to make an impact at some point next season, and his front office very much seems to think the same. 

Recently, new general manager Steve Keim told azcardinals.com that they believe Housler is an "emerging star" and player capable of causing "mismatches" for opposing defenses. 

Arians even went far enough to say that he considered drafting Housler as a wide receiver with the Steelers, also according to an azcardinals.com article.

High praise coming from two prominent evaluators of NFL talent, Housler has many of the skills you look for in what has become known as the "new age" NFL tight end.

Player's such as Aaron Hernandez and Jimmy Graham can line up in the slot and stretch the field, while using their size advantages and physicality to cause mismatches for any NFL defense. 

Housler's athletic prowess fits this bill to a tee, and he should also benefit greatly by now having veteran quarterback Carson Palmer back behind center. 

Palmer—if you remember correctly—made Brandon Myers fantasy relevant in 2012. He helped him on his way to becoming a surprising top-10 finisher amongst NFL tight ends in ESPN standard-scoring leagues, while also, according to Sporting News, making him the league's fourth-most targeted tight end.

Figures that would surely seem to hint that Housler is also well on his way to experiencing a breakout season of his own.

4. Jordan Cameron, TE, Cleveland Browns

Much like the previously mentioned Housler, Cleveland Browns third-year tight end Jordan Cameron is an athletic seam-stretching tight end who should see plenty of opportunities this upcoming season, transforming him from a dark horse to a more readily known player.

In fact, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland Plain Dealer said "Cameron was targeted on plenty of deep balls in OTAs."

Two coaches who obviously appear to be on the same page on their plan to best utilize Cameron, both Chudzinski and Turner come from the same offensive mindset and philosophy that requires an athletic tight end who can stretch the vertical parts of the field. 

And, as one of those highly regarded converted basketball tight ends, Cameron should be able to do just that. 

This offseason, the team let both Ben Watson and Alex Smith walk, which will open up even more opportunities for a player who has flashed, but has yet to receive enough targets to fully make his name be heard.

However, if there is a staff that knows how to get the most out of it's tight ends and put them in the best position to succeed, it has to be the combination of Chudzinski and Turner.

They not only have a track record of developing great tight ends, but they have also made good on their promises to make tight ends a featured part of their offenses.

Look, I'm not saying Cameron is the next Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski, but it goes without saying that his situation is advantageous to say the least—seeing as he now possesses not only the skill and talent, but he also possesses the opportunity and confidence providing by the coaching staff. 

That's certainly reason enough for me to believe a potential breakout season could be in the works.

5. Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego Chargers

To be perfectly honest, Vincent Brown was a player I talked up and targeted last year as being a potential breakout fantasy football star; however, after a preseason ankle injury stole what looked to be a very promising season, Brown essentially fell off the map.

Nevertheless, now 100 percent healthy and over nine months removed from his injury last August, Brown, once again, finds himself as an undervalued commodity and player with all the talent in the world looking to potentially experience a breakout-type season.

A year ago, he was essentially the talk of the Chargers' OTAs, and this year, his name has, once again, come up; however, only this time, it is as a player who is already running with the first-team starters, according to Michael Gehlken of the U-T San Diego.

Looking at his current situation, Brown finds himself somewhere behind Danario Alexander and potentially Malcom Floyd; however, don't be too surprised if Brown eventually makes his case and winds up becoming the No. 2 wide receiver in San Diego.

The new regime and Mike McCoy are already clamoring about Browns' great hands and ability to run precise and efficient routes, citing him as a player who will "without a doubt" be a big part of the offense in 2013, also according to the aforementioned article in the U-T San Diego.

Which, in a nut shell means you, too, should "without a doubt" be targeting and keeping an eye on this talented third-year receiver out of San Diego State. 

After all, the ingredients are finally in place for him to finally accomplish everything he has ever worked for.

The question, now, becomes, can and will he stay healthy?

Here's to hoping the answer to that question remains a yes.