Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: 3 Sleepers That Will Wake Any Fantasy Team

You know all the usual suspects and have studied up on the studs to take in the front end of your NFL fantasy draft.

It is time to discuss the unlikely heroes if tomorrow. It is time to talk sleepers. It is time to beat your buddies into oblivion.

We all know that leagues are not won in the first few rounds. No, you can only lose the league with some gross blunders in the rounds that are dedicated to surefire studs and superstars. 

The easiest way to win the fantasy draft is to look deep into the future and nab the players that will come out of nowhere to command the highlight reels on a weekly basis. 

Seeing as how crystal balls are in a short supply these days, you have a list of three ho-hum names that will soon be the cat's meow of the NFL. The Peyton Hillis tale of 2011 is buried in the deeper rounds.

Here are those marquee names of tomorrow. 

James Starks RB

The Green Bay Packers spread the ball around at running back last year. This year, they are taxed with the same question of who should run the ball.

The general consensus has Ryan Grant and James Starks in a bitter battle to get the bulk of the touches. ESPN sees it my way—Starks is winning the race by a nose.

I am banking on a more fit and stronger Starks to win the bulk of the snaps, giving you a sleeper to bank on.  

Riley Cooper WR

Cooper will sink to the bottom of most leagues, giving this burner tremendous value. The fact is, we have no idea what shape Steve Smith will be in when he gets back or when he will get back.

That leaves the second-year pro who tore apart Ed Reed to get much-deserved passes thrown his way.

Cooper is a receiver you can believe in. 

Colt McCoy QB

I could have sworn the word was out, but there are still some drafts that are not clued in on Colt McCoy. 

The Browns quarterback is a backup quarterback you can't live without. Don't settle for a backup that you know will be dismal. Take a QB that is showing flashes of brilliance in the preseason. 

McCoy could be the real deal, so don't go sleeping on him.