Why Laurence Maroney Is a Fantasy Sleeper

Fantasy drafts are in full swing and future NFL betting is also a go as everyone is in the midst of handicapping the NFL season.

Betting aside for now, it's surprising to me that Laurence Maroney isn't getting much fantasy love these days.

Granted, Maroney was a huge disappointment last year, one has to figure that a Top 10 fantasy pick from a year ago is worth a flier this time around.

A lot has changed in the last year, which is why Maroney is slipping through drafts.

First of all, he missed most of the season with a shoulder injury and now heads into the 2009 season as a question mark. Secondly, guys like Sammy Morris and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who are both still around, emerged as capable runners while Maroney was out. Third of all, the team signed Fred Taylor.

But even so, it's hard to argue that Maroney isn't the guy with the most upside here. Morris and Green-Ellis are pluggers. Maybe they'll steal goal line carries, but if everyone in this backfield plays to their peak, Maroney is the guy.

There are some other factors here that benefit Maroney, such as the fact that everyone doubts him. He's looked very hungry in practice and Bill Belichick has complemented him on his route-running and receiving skills, two aspects he struggled at previously.

At this point, Maroney might be considered nothing more than a backup but when you consider all of the backups that are being drafted (Felix Jones, Willis McGahee, Ricky Williams, Jerome Harrison, Leon Washington, Jerious Norwood), you would have to think that Maroney can find himself a home. He potentially has more upside than any of those backs given the offense he plays in.

Take a flier on Maroney, you won't regret it. He's only 24 and he's really hungry.