Tim Tebow and 15 Fantasy Sleepers in the Upcoming 2011 Fantasy Draft
It's nearly June, and that means it's nearly July and nearly August, where we will see a plethora of boozed-out 20-somethings or gray-haired soccer dads talking smack about how good their teams are.
Of course, these teams are just pretend, but as a fantasy football addict who is in no way seeking recovery soon, I know that owning and managing these fantasy teams is a stressful proposition.
Maybe one day someone will open up a Fantasy Football Anonymous support group. Until then, the stress, bragging rights and trash talk continues for the millions of afflicted addicts.
Here are 16 sleepers who you can draft in the mid-to-late rounds of your draft that could become stars for your fantasy football squad.
(QB) Colt McCoy, Browns
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Colt McCoy played well in 2010 on a very sub-par Cleveland Browns team. Despite throwing more interceptions than touchdowns (9-6), he still showed moments of great brightness for a rookie.
He also had to deal with injuries to his best two wide receivers in Joshua Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi. With a healthy receiving core in 2011 and a decent tight end in Benjamin Watson, McCoy should be poised for improvement.
Granted, I would be much more confident in this pick if the Browns didn't trade their sixth pick in the draft to the Falcons, who ended up drafting WR Julio Jones.
(WR) Josh Morgan, 49ers
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The 49ers No. 2 receiver has quietly had three respectable seasons in San Francisco, despite fighting off some injuries and illnesses.
He will be the No. 2 receiver again this year to Michael Crabtree, but should be able to put together decent production as a bench player on your squad. The biggest thing holding him back is San Francisco's quarterback situation, which currently slates veteran David Carr as the starter. (Likely to change before the start of the season.)
Look to draft Morgan in the 10th or 11th round and hope for good flex/bye-week replacement numbers.
(RB) Toby Gerhart, Vikings
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I think people have forgotten what a talent Toby Gerhart really is. I guess that happens when you get drafted as Adrian Peterson's backup.
Nonetheless, Gerhart is a fantastic runner with the size (6'0", 231 lbs) necessary to level defenders. The Vikings are a team that rely heavily on the run game, and the second Peterson goes down with an injury, Gerhart is their man.
Draft him mid-to-late for the potential he has, and nab him before the Peterson owner does, as it will give you tremendous trade bait. (Unless of course you are the Peterson owner!).
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(RB) Rashad Jennings, Jaguars
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My argument for Rashad Jennings is similar to mine for Toby Gerhart: draft him for his potential.
He is backup to Pro Bowler Maurice Jones-Drew, yet the second Jones-Drew is down with an injury, Jennings will see an enormous amount of playing time in the run-heavy Jacksonville offense.
Jennings will have to compete with to-be sophomore Deji Karim for the No. 2 role, yet he appears to have the upper hand, plus one more year of experience.
Jennings is also great trade bait to get in order to tempt the Jones-Drew owner to want to handcuff his star running back.
(QB) Charlie Whitehurst, Seahawks
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Charlie Whitehurst was by no means great when he played last season, but as of May 2011, he is the only quarterback signed on Seattle's depth chart. Matt Hasselbeck could re-sign, but he showed last season that, at this point in his career, he is injury prone.
This could be a defining season for Whitehurst if he is given the reigns of the Seahawks. They are not a great team, yet play in a very weak division and showed last year in the playoffs that they can win big games.
With a talented squad of young receivers to work with (Deon Butler, Mike Williams, Ben Obomanu—see slide 15), Whitehurst can have a great season. Draft him as a backup to your first quarterback.
(WR) Anthony Armstrong, Redskins
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I am calling Anthony Armstrong to be the Stevie Johnson of 2011. He's a small, quick, talented wide receiver on a below average squad and could be the only shining light for the Redskins this season.
With the re-signing of Santana Moss a mystery, Armstrong could be the No. 1 receiver in Washington.
I expect Armstrong to have a breakout season and possibly be a top-10 fantasy wide receiver. He has the build and size to be a scoring machine.
(RB) Donnie Brown, Colts
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This is the year Donnie Brown could get his shot at being a legitimate starter. If it isn't, his NFL career may be nearing an end.
The pieces are in place though; Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes are both aging free agents, and Javarris James was not impressive when he played this past season.
The Colts did draft ex-Syracuse running back Delone Carter, so he could compete with Brown for the starting role. Still, however, draft Brown late and hope that he becomes a starter.
(RB) LaRod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals
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Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower have both been relative disappointments in Arizona. It may be time for LaRod Stephens-Howling. The 5'7" former Pittsburgh Panther showed he could be quick and affective in the brief moments he has carried the ball.
He is definitely a deep sleeper, yet if he gets the starting role, I see a lot of potential for the little guy. I think his value will fluctuate greatly depending on how good of a quarterback Arizona signs. If they have to role with an aging veteran or the young John Skelton, expect a lot of running plays in the Cardinals' game plan.
You don't have to worry about drafting Stephens-Howling till way late in the draft. What a great name too, by the way!
(TE) John Carlson, Seahawks
9 of 16John Carlson was never able to develop a great relationship with Hasselbeck, but assuming Charlie Whitehurst or another quarterback is taking the snaps in Seattle, I see him getting a new shot to highlight his potential.
I have thought Carlson would breakout for the past two seasons and he hasn't. He had a good 2009 season with seven touchdowns but scored only three in 2010.
Hopefully his numbers will go up again this year and Seattle will utilize this big, route-running tight end as a receiver.
Also, you have to LOVE the acting in that video above to get the touchdown.
(RB) Keiland Williams, Redskins
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Keiland Williams is, hands-down, the guy in Washington now. He completely outperformed Ryan Torain near the end of the season and with Clinton Portis out, Williams will be taking the majority of the handoffs.
I see a lot of potential in the former LSU running back and I expect Washington to run a lot of run plays this season.
(TE) Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
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Brandon Pettigrew may not qualify as a sleeper since he finished 2010 ranked third among tight ends with 71 receptions and seventh with 772 receiving yards.
Still, any Detroit Lion is often forgotten, and I think Pettigrew will slip through the draft boards and can be nabbed late.
If he finally has one quarterback throwing him the ball (and not the Stafford/Stanton/Hill cocktail), I think Pettigrew's numbers could go up even more this year. He could have a Mercedes Lewis-caliber season in terms of touchdowns.
(WR) DeMaryius Thomas, Broncos
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Despite my bias of being a Denver fan, I really think that DeMaryius Thomas will breakout this year. I drafted him fairly high last year with the same thought, but unfortunately, injury rained on my parade.
The former Georgia Tech standout is healthy now though, and the Broncos always have a prosperous offense (not defense, however).
Draft Thomas mid-round and expect at least WR2 production out of him, with chances at him becoming your No. 1 wide receiver.
(QB) Josh Freeman, Buccaneers
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I cannot get over how impressed I was with Josh Freeman last season (or the Bucs in general for that matter). A passer rating of 95.9, 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Wow.
With numbers like that, it's amazing that Freeman wouldn't go in the first 12 quarterbacks. He definitely will in some leagues, but he is still not a big name and the Bucs are still not considered a good team, so he can easily slip past the first round of quarterbacks drafted.
If he does, draft him, because you just got a steal. With a great, young wide receiver in Mike Williams and a solid tight end in Kellen Winslow, I expect Freeman to have another great season, as he gains experience and poise and most likely leads his young squad to the playoffs.
(WR) Donnie Avery, Rams
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Donnie Avery missed the entire 2010 season, but he is coming back, healthy, and with a more experienced Sam Bradford throwing him the ball.
Bradford was better than most expected last year and Avery now has the advantage of not having to deal with a rookie quarterback. Assuming his knee healed up okay and he is able to run routes like he did in college at Houston, I think Avery will have a fantastic season with the up-and-coming Rams.
You can definitely draft him very late and expect a lot of bang for your buck.
(WR) Ben Obomanu, Seahawks
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Don't critique me too hard for putting three Seahawks on this list, but I really think Ben Obomanu is a talent and will prove it this season.
It has taken Obomanu a bit of time to get going in the league, but after an impressive end of the season and playoffs last year, Seattle signed him to a three-year deal, which shows they are optimistic about the 27-year-old ex-Auburn Tiger.
I think alongside Mike Williams and John Carlson, Obomanu will complete a nice trio of receivers that will keep Seattle's offense healthy and help them stay relevant this season.
(QB) Tim Tebow, Broncos
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Finally, the most popular quarterback who has barely played, Tim Tebow. He is already a household name, so his next step is just to live up to it and be a Pro Bowl quarterback.
Tebow has an insane amount of critics, to which I think is justified when you look at how unconventional his playing and throwing style is.
Tebow's biggest challenge this year will be learning that he can no longer plow through defenders like a fullback like he did at Florida. He is a big guy, but he is now an NFL quarterback and they are fragile beings.
Nonetheless, I think this is the year that Tebow shuts up his cynics and proves that he is an NFL quarterback, capable of leading a team to success.
It's risky, but I would say it's safe to let some quarterbacks pass, pick up some talent at other positions and draft Tebow in a middle round as your starting quarterback for this 2011 fantasy football season.
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