Don’t Get Caught Napping on These Sleepers
August 22nd, 2008 by Mitch Hardt
The definition of “sleeper” differs from owner to owner, but for this piece I want to lay down some ground rules for what constitutes a player as a sleeper. A sleeper is a player that will most likely not be drafted in the top 100 picks and has the potential to be a fantasy stud, worthy of top 40 production.
“Potential” is a funky monkey when it pertains to an 18 year old man, so having not seen any of these athletes in person, I acquiesce to the rankings of professionals like Rivals.com. They rank players from 1 to 5 stars and give list of top recruits each year. After gathering this information I look at system, opportunity, and talents surrounding a player then make my decision. AWAY WE GOOOOOO!
Sleeper quarterbacks are plentiful this season so you should probably think about going RB or WR in the first three rounds, at least. Mark Sanchez leads my sleeper board. He has a knee injury that is scaring most away, but not me. It was not long ago when the USC QB position put up huge fantasy numbers. Sanchez was the top ranked recruit in 2005 so talent isn’t the problem. USC has lots of weapons that became seasoned last year and I expect the offense to return to form in 2008. Jonathan Crompton knows a little about being a top prospect in 2005, also. He was second ranked on the list and now grabs the reigns full time in Tennessee after the departure of Eric Ainge. I like that Crompton has much to prove and Tennessee is a team that consistently yields nice sleepers. Jevan Sneed might be on so many sleeper lists that he isn’t a sleeper anymore but I am firmly on the Sneed bandwagon. The UT transfer will do well at Ole Miss, even with the tough schedule.
Other QBs to consider late during your drafts. Chris Todd Auburn, Jake Christansen Iowa, Casey Dick Arkansas.
At RB, my methodology does not change. I want talented RBs that are in good situations, but have enough question marks to lower their prices. The running backs that I will speak about should be your 4th or 5th guys in your RB stable. These are the players that you can trade later to get Tier one type blue chippers or have on your team to deal with injuries.
Darrell Scott will be a huge fantasy back for Colorado this season. I have seen him as low as the 50th ranked RB on BCS only lists and that is criminal!!! Scott has size, speed and opportunity. Don’t be afraid of Colorado RBs either. Hugh Charles was a fringe starter and did not have a tenth of Scott’s ability. Stafon Johnson USC will be one of the funnier picks of the draft because someone will nab Joe McKight about 6 rounds before I take Johnson and I will get the better guy. The USC backfield has been crowded since Bush and White left, but Johnson ended the season running strong and will be a dynamite pick in the late rounds. Miami RB Graig Cooper fits a similar draft story as Johnson from above. Javarris James is going in drafts before Cooper and James is not even the starter!! College fantasy football is becoming more mainstream, but many owners still go by default lists and will make this same mistake. Cooper showed flashes last season and should put up good numbers in 2008.
Other RBs to consider in the later rounds include: Aaron Crawford Texas Tech, Caleb King Georgia, Ryan McCants Oregon St., LaGarret Blount, Oregon and Evan Royster Penn St.
My strategy for sleeper WRs differs slightly. I am all about “The System”. I tend to lean toward small schools with gimmicky offenses. If your player pool is just BCS, then look to the Big 12 where offense reigns supreme. Detron Lewis Texas Tech fits my sleeper methodology to a tee. He plays for Tech and lives in the shadow of Crabtree, but fear not fantasy brethren because there are enough TDs to go around. I think 1,000 yards and 10 scores are in line for Lewis and he is not even listed on some cheatsheets. DeAndre Brown Southern Miss WR will be the centerpiece of the new “spread” offense. He is the first 5 star recruit in campus history and this man isn’t on some websites lists. Wait until the draft reaches that double digit round and then pounce on this stud. Louis Murphy Flordia WR will be another forgotten man on draft day. All the publicity goes to Tebow and Harvin, but Percy is ailing and Andre Caldwell scored 130 points last season and I think Murphy will approach that this season.
Other WRs to consider in the later rounds include: Sammie Stroughter Oregon St., Jaison Williams Oregon, Julio Jones Alabama, Qaun Cosby Texas, Preston Parker Flordia St., and London Crawford Arkansas.
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