2010 Fantasy Football Sleeper Spotlight: Early Doucet

A typical fantasy football league consists of 12 teams, nine starters (QB, two RBs, three WRs, TE, K, D), and anywhere from five to seven bench players. If you go with the latter bench allotment, you’re looking at 16 roster spots or 192 draft picks. By that definition, any sleeper should have an average draft position about 180 or lower.

 

Arizona Cardinals WR Early Doucet sports an ADP of 263 according to Mock Draft Central . That would make him the 11th pick of the 21st round and somewhere around the 85th WR taken. In other words, that would make him a WR7 in 12-team leagues, or most likely not on a roster.

 

I feel he has the upside to warrant taking a chance on him much earlier in fantasy drafts. For starters, he showed big play potential in last year’s playoffs, combining for 14 catches for 145 yards and 2 TDs in the Cardinals’ win over Green Bay and loss to the Saints.

 

Not only that, but Anquan Boldin has moved on to Baltimore, meaning Doucet should have a bigger role in the offense. Obviously Larry Fitzgerald will be the primary target and Breaston will likely continue to be the deep threat, but Doucet should see a big bump in targets working the slot.

 

Life would be better for all of the Cardinal WRs if Kurt Warner hadn’t hung up his cleats, but I feel Leinart will be solid. He’s had time to mature and learn the offense under one of the best QBs to ever play.

 

They have some solid match-ups, too.  They meet the Rams twice, the Seahawks twice, the Raiders (he won’t have to face Asomugha), Bucs, and Chiefs.  All of these teams were in the league basement last year.

 

I’m not saying you should count on him as a WR4 even, but he could put up those kind of numbers. I’m just saying I would take a chance on him over some of the players, who on average, have gone before him in drafts. I’m talking about guys like Chansi Stuckey, Michael Jenkins, Armanti Edwards, Torry Holt, Troy Williamson, Sam Hurd, Juaquin Iglesias, Damian Williams etc.

 

Prediction:  65 catches, 800 yards, 4 TDs

 

What are your thoughts on Early Doucet?

 

Click here to enter the Best Fantasy Football Team Name Contest  for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.