5 Fantasy Football Sleepers You'd Better Not Sleep on

What wins fantasy football leagues every year isn't so much a stud running back like Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings or a top-flight wide receiver like Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans.

What wins leagues more often than not are the so-called "sleepers"—players whose fantasy production so outweighs their draft position that it tips the scales and leads teams to the Promised Land, much as Arian Foster did for many a year ago.

Taking that into consideration, here are a handful of players that could provide just that sort of value to fantasy football owners on draft day, making significant contributions to fantasy squads for mere pennies on the dollar.

1.) Ryan Fitzpatrick: QB, Buffalo Bills

Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was a surprising bright spot on a woeful Bills team in 2010, throwing for 3,000 yards and 23 TDs in 13 starts and apparently inspiring enough confidence that the Bills front office eschewed drafting a potential successor in last April's NFL Draft.

If there's another Harvard educated starting quarterback on a bad AFC East team that has more sleeper potential than Ryan Fitzpatrick, I'd like to know who it is.

Fitzpatrick finished in the top 10 at his position in fantasy points per game a year ago and has a solid shot at posting QB1 numbers playing catch-up all season under center in Buffaltoronto. Considering how late he can be had in fantasy drafts, he's a perfect add for owners who like to wait on quarterbacks or as part of a platoon.

2.) Tim Hightower: RB, Washington Redskins

Ryan Torain's latest injury has opened the door for recently acquired running back Tim Hightower to gain an early stranglehold on the starting job at tailback for the Washington Redskins. The 25-year-old Hightower averaged 4.8 yards a carry and scored five touchdowns on the ground last year in a part time role with the Arizona Cardinals.

Hightower played well in Washington's first preseason game and is the best receiving back and pass blocker the Redskins have. If he can remedy the ball control issues he had in Arizona, he should be able to supplant the brittle Torain as lead back in D.C. That position may not be a fantasy football bonanza, but for those looking for a late-round running back with RB2 potential, Hightower should be the "High"est back on their fantasy draft sleeper lists.

3.) Earl Bennett: WR, Chicago Bears

It was an up and down third season in the NFL for Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett, who started only three games in 2010 but still managed to haul in 46 receptions for 561 yards and three touchdowns during Chicago's surprising run to the NFC Championship Game.

Bennett has an early leg up on undrafted free agent rookie wideout Dane Sanzenbacher to be the Bears slot receiver. Considering the Bears have no real receiving threats at tight end and Bennett's history with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler going back to their days together at Vanderbilt, it's not hard at all to envision a career-year for Bennett. This would make him a very nice late-round addition to a fantasy football team's receiving corps.

4.) Andre Roberts: WR, Arizona Cardinals

Wide receiver Andre Roberts of the Arizona Cardinals could be the biggest beneficiary of Steve Breaston's departure to Kansas City. He moves into the starting lineup entering his second season in the league. Roberts, 23, had 24 receptions for 307 yards and two scores last year for the Redbirds.

Roberts had five catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in a Week 16 matchup against the Cowboys last year, giving fantasy owners a glimpse into his potential. The starter opposite star wideout Larry Fitzgerald will almost certainly see single coverage the majority of the time, and should that starter prove to be Roberts, he will easily outperform his modest asking price.

5.) Lance Kendricks: TE, St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams made tight end Lance Kendricks the 47th selection in last April's NFL Draft. The former Wisconsin standout is expected to make an immediate impact for the Rams offense. The 6'3" 243 lb. Kendricks had 43 catches for 661 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in Madison.

Kendricks caught five balls for 47 yards and a score in the Rams' preseason opener and could post solid numbers as a check-down option in new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel's passing game. Kendricks is well worth a late look in fantasy football drafts as a TE2 in the hopes that he becomes the 2011 version of Rob Gronkowski.