Fantasy Football Sleepers: 25 Steals That Will Make You League Champ
Everyone knows that winning a fantasy football league is less about how you start a draft, and more about how you finish it.
You know what you're getting in the first few rounds; it's trying to find those guys who will give you early-round caliber production late in the draft that can prove daunting to even the most seasoned fantasy veterans.
That's why I'm bringing you this list of the top 25 late-round players who could win you your league title. They're players who will be available in the latter half of most drafts, who could put up the kind of numbers you only dream of from your late-round picks.
25. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
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It took Foster 14 weeks to see the field in 2009, but he certainly made the most of his short opportunity. He racked up 215 yards and 3 touchdowns on 39 carries in that 2 week span, and with the injury to rookie Ben Tate, Foster looks to have the starting job locked up.
With a team that throws as much as Houston does, Foster won't get 30 carries a game. But he has the talent to be a productive back, and without much name clout, he can certainly be had as a second runner in the latter half of the draft.
24. Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys
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I know; Barber lost the starting job to Felix Jones. I also know Barber tends to get hurt rather frequently.
But Marion has had strong fantasy season's in years past, and Felix Jones hasn't exactly been an iron man in his short NFL career either. If he's available in the latter half of a draft, I take a flier on him. Just be ready to cut bait if things don't go well.
23. Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers
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Last season, Floyd was the third target on a pass heavy Chargers team (behind Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates). He averaged 17.2 yards per catch, but never caught more than four passes in a game (excepting Week 17).
This year, though, Jackson is busy throwing a holdout temper tantrum, and could be traded before the season begins. That makes Floyd the top wideout in San Diego, and he should see the number of balls he gets thrown his way increase significantly.
Without the name recognition of Jackson or Gates, people will forget about Malcom Floyd. Fortunately, you'll be there to reap the benefits of their memory loss.
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22. Matt Leinart, QB, Arizona Cardinals
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27-year old Matt Leinart has finally taken the reins of the Cardinals potent offense from Kurt Warner. But in the short period of time he has played since coming out from USC, he has failed to impress, struggling with accuracy and decision making at times.
But there is hope that this year, Leinart will break through. He's got a talented group of wide receivers to throw to, and in Beanie Wells he's got a potentially strong running game to back him up. If he makes a smooth transition to starter, he could put up the same kind of numbers Kurt Warner did in Arizona for years, at a fraction of the cost to you.
If he doesn't, you just cut him like you would any backup fantasy QB.
21. Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings
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Shiancoe has quietly become an underground sensation in the fantasy community, and is one of a number of talented tight ends this season.
He's been consistently improving his numbers each of the last three seasons in Minnesota, and with a name few outside of the serious fantasy community know, could be stolen in the latter half of the draft.
If Brett Favre continues to throw to his tight ends as much as he has in years past, Shiancoe could once again put up serious numbers for a relatively low cost.
20. Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans
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Last season, Kenny Britt showed he belonged in the NFL. A big, rangy wideout with Brandon Marshall-like skills, he became the go-to receiver in Tennessee when Justin Gage battled injury.
Were it not for Nate Washington's presence in Nashville, and Vince Young's lack of accuracy, Britt would certainly be unavailable. But he's proven to be as sure-handed a receiver as any in Tennessee, and he's the one I would take this season.
19. Nate Burleson, WR, Detroit Lions
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Burleson has been one of my fantasy favorites for a few years now. He's sure-handed, quick, and poses a serious deep threat.
His value took a major hit in Seattle, where Matt Hasselbeck's corpse couldn't throw him the ball, but in Detroit, alongside Calvin Johnson, he's poised for a big year.
There will definitely be those who will be scared off by his performance last year, but with Megatron attracting most of the attention (and double-teams), Burleson will be a steal this year.
18. Josh Morgan, WR, San Fransisco 49ers
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Morgan has been pegged for stardom since he entered the league in 2008. He has all the tools to be an elite receiver. The problem is, he has yet to put it all together.
With big name players like Gore, Davis, Crabtree and Smith in San Fransisco, Morgan hasn't seen much of the football. But he's lining up alongside Crabtree, and the 49ers are talking like Smith is going to be throwing more. With a talent like Morgan's, he's sure to see some of that bigger slice of offensive pie thrown his way.
That being said, cut him loose if it looks like he's not a part of things in the first couple of weeks.
17. Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions
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Kevin Smith underwhelmed as a starter in Detroit the last two seasons, despite being given every chance to excel.
So the Lions drafted the explosive Best out of Cal, and he has the talent to make big fantasy waves. He's fast, strong and agile, with good hands. If he stays healthy, and Detroit gives him the chance to start, he'll put up numbers this season.
Why can he be had so late? A combination of location (Detroit), injury history (lengthy), and Kevin Smith (still the starter in Detroit). Still, as a mid-to late-round pick, he's a good choice with a ton of upside.
16. John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks
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John Carlson is the most consistent wideout in Seattle, which is sad because he's a tight end. Even with Matt Hasselbeck's corpse feeding him the ball, his number should improve significantly over last season, and make him a good late-round steal.
He struggled for part of last year, but that was due to the fact that Seneca Wallace was throwing him the ball. You'd struggle if Wallace was throwing you the ball, too.
15. Jason Campbell, QB, Oakland Raiders
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So Campbell struggled in Washington. So he's going to an Oakland team who haven't had a winning season since 2003. Jason Campbell could make the leap this year.
He's got more talent at receiver than he had at any point in Washington. He's got zero pressure to perform, given the Raiders' recent quarterbacks. He still has all the tools that made him a first round pick in 2005.
This team will probably be behind quite a bit, and Campbell has the arm to make the most out of all those chances to throw. He's definitely worth a late-round pick.
14. Alex Smith, QB, San Fransisco 49ers
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Here are the facts: the Niners have more passing weapons than they've had at any point in Smith's tenure in San Fran. He's in his third year in the current offensive system, and there are hints that head coach Mike Singletary might throw the ball more than he did last year.
Everything San Fransisco has done in the offseason was done to help Smith flourish. Why won't he? He'll be there late, and will make you glad you picked him.
13. Michael Bush, RB, Oakland Raiders
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Michael Bush is talented. He might be the best, most consistent running back the Raiders have had in quite a long time. Sure, Darren McFadden is there, and might have more talent. But he has yet to show that talent, and can't stay healthy.
If McFadden grabs sole possession of the starting job, he will put up numbers. And because people are wrapped up with McFadden, he'll be available for less than most starting backs would be.
12. Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego Chargers
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So the Chargers took Ryan Mathews with a first-round pick last year. So everyone seems to see him as being the starter.
The fact is this: until someone says otherwise, Sproles is the go-to back in San Diego. He's explosive, and has good hands, despite his diminutive stature. He's also getting first crack at the starting job; if he keeps it, he'll have more value than Mathews, who's going several rounds sooner.
11. Fred Davis, TE, Washington Redskins
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In almost any other city in the NFL, Fred Davis would be the unequivocal starter at tight end. He would go top-5 among tight ends, with his hands and speed and size.
But the Redskins have Chris Cooley, long a fantasy favorite, so Davis has flown under the radar. He'l get his share of looks, especially in the red zone, because the 'Skins lack proven wideouts. And he'll be cheaper than Cooley, too.
10. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions
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With as many newfound offensive weapons as there are in Detroit, someone has to get them the ball, right?
Enter Stafford, now in his second season in the NFL. He's got a strong arm, and makes decent decisions for a kid his age. If he continues to mature, top-10 quarterback status is well within reach, for a kid with his talent.
Teams will be scared off by his age and injury last season, but he's worth a late-round pick, and could pay big dividends for your team.
9. Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans
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Fantasy teams are scared of Vince Young. That is a fact of life. He's got accuracy issues, character issues, and he plays for a team that likes to run the ball.
But under that veneer of negativity lies the talent that made Young a first round pick. He's got a strong arm, is mobile, and is a fantastic leader. If his accuracy improves a bit, he's got guys around him who can catch for the first time in his career. He's poised to break out, but be ready to drop him like a bad habit if things start really poorly.
8. Chester Taylor, RB, Chicago Bears
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Matt Forte is the most talented back in Chicago. Matt Forte is also maddeningly inconsistent running the ball, as we saw last year.
Enter Taylor, who signed in Chicago in the offseason. Taylor's big, talented and has soft hands. Even if he doesn't start, he'll have decent fantasy value. But if he does start, look out. He could be the best late-round pick you make.
7.Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
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Hakeem Nicks has the most upside of anyone in New York. He's big, rangy and has good hands. The Giants lack a consistent receiver, and Nicks could be the one to step up and fill that void. He can be had at less cost than teammate Steve Smith (the OTHER Steve Smith), and has the talent to never let go of the number-one spot once he gets it.
6. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Heath Miller won't fall to you because he isn't talented; he's one of the best tight ends in football. He won't fall to you because he doesn't produce; he's been a consistent top-10 tight end for several years.
Why will he fall to you in late rounds? Everyone forgets about him in Pittsburgh. Including your opponents. Consider this your reminder.
5. Matt Moore, QB, Carolina Panthers
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Contrary to popular belief, the Panthers did have a starting quarterback worth talking about last season, and they have one this year too. His name is not Jimmy Clausen.
Moore is a third-year player out of Oregon State, and took over the starting job in Carolina when everyone realized Jake Delhomme was Jake Delhomme. He's got a good arm, good poise, and a great target in THE Steve Smith. He excelled in limited starting time last year. Look for him to excel again this year, and be a great value for you.
4. Devin Aromashodu, WR, Chicago Bears
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Devin Aromashodu is big. Not just physically big, Aromashodu plays big. And in a wideout corps with more speed than size, that will make him a favorite Cutler target this year.
He can be had cheaper than Knox and possibly Hester, but could be more valuable than either of them at season's end.
3. Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins
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A bit of a boom or bust candidate, Henne begins his first full year as Dolphins' starter with high hopes.
He's throwing to a talented group of wideouts, led by super stud Brandon Marshall (crazy aside), and he's got the arm strength to make lots of owners very, very happy.
Even if he doesn't hit top-7 quarterback status in fantasy this year, he'll make an excellent backup or trade chip, for little cost to you.
2. Ed Dickson, TE, Baltimore Ravens
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This kid has all the makings of a fantasy football stud. He's 6'7", but runs a 4.6 40, on par with the Antonio Gates class tight end. He's got fantastic hands, and is almost impossible to tackle one-on-one.
Were it not for Todd Heap and fellow rookie Dennis Pitta, Dickson would be a lock for crashing the top-5 of all tight ends this year. But, as it stands, he's got fantastic value as a late-round sleeper pick.
1. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
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Carson Palmer is the ultimate sleeper pick. He had a down year in 2009, coming off numerous injuries, and trapped in a conservative offense.
But Palmer's over a year removed from all of those problems, and has his most talent receiver corps ever. With that many mouths to feed in the passing game, head coach Marvin Lewis is sure to open things up a bit. If he does, Palmer will put up top-5 numbers again.
Taking Palmer in the latter half of the draft will win you your league, even if no one realizes it yet. That makes him the ultimate late-round steal.
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