The following is our expert opinion on players who you can draft that will provide excellent fantasy value.  You have to remember that Sleepers might not perform at the beginning of the season for specific reasons, but as the season progresses, will prove to be well worth the investment. 

Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers

The time is now and Rodgers has a recipe for success.  What more could a quarterback ask for?  A familiar system, learned from an inevitable hall of famer, great running game, great line, great receiving corps, great team chemistry, great potential for success and most importantly, great pick in this year’s draft.  With all that said, the rumblings of Favre’s return make him somewhat of an even bigger risk than just being a first year starter.  However, if he can emulate any of Brett’s positive attributes, the reward will heavily outweigh the risk.

Jake Delhomme

Carolina Panthers

When Delhomme went down early last season, the Panthers’ season was over.  The offense couldn’t get anything going after that and the team’s best player, Steve Smith was hurt tremendously.  Delhomme is healthy and has a chance of doing special things this season.  He has a new running back in Jonathan Stewart and two new receivers in Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett.  We are cautiously optimistic that Delhomme can throw 23+ touchdowns. 

Matt Schaub

Houston Texans

Schaub was a solid starter last year before he was knocked out by injury after 11 starts.  Off-season shoulder surgery has raised some concern in the Texans’ locker room, but not in the world of fantasy football.  We know better.   He was only sacked 16 times last season and wide outs like Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter make his job so much easier.

JaMarcus Russell

Oakland Raiders

Ready or not, it’s Russell time.  Once he finally got into camp, he started to learn a little bit about the NFL and hopefully his lengthy holdout will not hinder his progression.  Culpepper was a good mentor while he lasted, but now Al Davis has to let Russell loose.  He’s got way too much invested in the number one overall pick of a year ago.  Fortunately for him, he now has a potentially competitive team around him.  The Raiders’ success largely depends on Russell and I think he’ll be up to the challenge.

Jason Campbell

Washington Redskins

Campbell is another QB who had his season shortened by injury.  He played very well in 13 starts last season before veteran Todd Collins took over and helped the team earn a playoff bid.  This season looks good for Campbell.   With a new coach and a new system, his skills should transfer fairly easily and give his owners something to cheer about. 

 

Selvin Young

Denver Broncos

Ok.  The Denver RB tradition took a slight hit last year.  However, they still know how to recruit talent.  With the release of Travis Henry this off-season, it is time for this former Longhorn to carry the load.  He doesn’t have a big name (yet) and that makes him the number one sleeper in this year’s draft.  Be meticulously wise and steal him when the time is right. Updated 8/8 – Now that Ryan Torain is injured, Young has less competition for the starting job.  He is a much better sleeper now. 

Michael Turner

Atlanta Falcons

Out of the shadow and into the spotlight of………..Atlanta?  Yes, Turner finally was granted his wishes and now will get a chance to show his “stuff” on a team that is in obvious rebuilding mode.  With a rookie QB (that may get to start very soon) and a shaky offensive line, it’s tough to say exactly how Turner will handle his new situation.  But, one thing’s for certain and two things for sure, Atlanta has a great two-back tandem now with Norwood and Turner.

Darren McFadden

Oakland Raiders

Although Justin Fargas showed flashes of a solid starter towards the end of last season, the Raiders still needed to solidify their run game.  In comes “Run-DMC”.  No, not the historic rap music figures, but possibly this year’s Adrian Peterson.  If he can come anywhere close to the production that Peterson gave the Vikings....Enough said!

Kevin Smith

Detroit Lions

The Lions released Kevin Jones to make way for another Kevin.  In steps Kevin Smith from Central Florida, a very versatile back who will compete with Tatum Bell for the starting role in Detroit.  He may not beat out Bell for the starting role early in the season, but if Bell doesn’t show the consistency that he showed in Denver, we could see Smith sooner than we thought.  Grab him as your 3^rd back and be patient as he emerges throughout the season.

DeAngelo Williams

Carolina Panthers

Added 8/15 – Someone has to start in Carolina and whoever it is, should have a decent year now that the passing game is healthy.  Williams shined in his debut last week and has the edge over Stewart for the starting job. 

 

Jonathan Stewart

Carolina Panthers

There is no doubt that DeAngelo Williams is a good RB, but he may not be the every down back that the Panthers thought that he had the potential to be.  Perhaps I’m way off and they just wanted a potent two-back tandem like the rest of the league, while complementing Williams’ running style.   Whatever the case is or may have been, Stewart was drafted high for a reason and in many fantasy drafts across the country and he’ll be drafted higher than Williams for a good reason as well. Updated 8/8 - Stewart has been bothered by a toe injury which has limited his touches.  DeAngelo Williams is the starter and until Stewart can get healthy and get on the field, he will be the backup. 

 

Anthony Gonzalez

Indianapolis Colts

Last season, when Marvin Harrison was out with a rare injury, Gonzalez stepped in and performed well as a rookie.  Acknowledging the fact that Wayne is the new number one, Gonzalez could potentially be the new number two sometime this season, contingent upon how Harrison recovers from injury (at his age) and also how the off-season incident transpires.  In any case, when Gonzalez gets the start, you want him in your active lineup because it can cause you to lose your entire league if you have him on your bench and he has a monster game when you need it most like he did at the end of last season.

Calvin Johnson

Detroit Lions

This season, “flashes” of a great receiver won’t be enough.  In his second season with the Lions, Calvin will know what to expect when he faces defenders.  Although his season was hampered by a back injury that he never fully recovered from, this season will be much different if he stays on the field for 16 games.  In any case, he is certainly worth a reach as a number two or even a number one receiver on your squad because of the hype that he didn’t live up to last season.  This season will be different.  Trust me on that one.

Dwayne Bowe

Kansas City Chiefs

Dwayne Bowe was everything that the Chiefs hoped for and even more in his rookie campaign with the club.  He has great hands so he makes tough catches when he needs to and is the perfect complement to Tony Gonzalez.  The only problem is at the quarterback position where there has been nothing but inconsistency since Trent Green left.  If Croyle makes a drastic improvement from a year ago (and he might), then Bowe’s numbers will be that much better.

Nate Burleson

Seattle Seahawks

Last season, Burleson was in this exact same spot on this very same list of sleepers.  Why is he back, you ask?  One reason is that he still doesn’t get the respect that he deserves as a receiver.  Another reason is that the Hawks believe that he is too valuable of a return guy to use him exclusively as a receiver.  I see their point and I’m sure you do too.  And if your league rewards receivers that are dual threats…………………..point taken, point understood.  Updated 8/15 – With the injury to Bobby Engram, this pick looks even better now.  Burleson is the undisputed number one receiver. 

Kevin Curtis - Remove

Philadelphia Eagles

I know, I know, Curtis again.  Yes, I am a fan of Curtis, if you can’t tell by now.  But you must admit, if you had him in your starting lineup versus the Lions last year (as I did), you earned a lot of points and won your game for the week and possibly a couple bucks for your gas tank (which is more valuable than winning).  He’s still not quite yet a fantasy number one, but he had a great year for his first full season in a starting role and with a new team.  This year will be even better.  Updated 8/23 – Curtis suffered a sports hernia injury and had surgery.  He will miss the next 6 to 8 weeks and is no longer a sleeper candidate. 

 

Marcedes Lewis

Jacksonville Jaguars

He finally made some huge strides (no pun intended) near the end of last season to complement a solid rushing attack and to help the Jags earn a playoff bid that ended in New England.  Garrard has proven to be a good starting option for the Jags because he minimizes mistakes and consistently finds the open man.  When you’re 6’6” like Lewis, you’re always open especially in the redzone.

Leonard Pope

Arizona Cardinals

When you have two of the best receivers in the league on either side on every play of every down, chances are you are going to get open sometime.  For Pope, being open is nothing new.  He just has to be found in the middle of the coverage.  As he gains more experience and the offense becomes more TE friendly, his numbers will certainly improve.  This will be the season for that improvement.

Zach Miller

Oakland Raiders

Zach Miller gives the Raiders a huge target across the middle to help to move the chains on a consistent basis.  Miller should see a lot of passes this season as he proved that he is capable of catching the ball when it is thrown his way.  He set the Raiders’ rookie receiving mark with 44 catches a season ago.  With Russell being the unquestioned starter this season, Miller should easily improve his numbers a great deal and the Raiders should be very competitive this season.

Kris Brown

Houston Texans

He’s got the leg - no question about that. He’s got the accuracy - no question about that either.  So what’s the question, you ask? The question is, how efficiently and effectively the Texans will move the ball this season.  That question will be answered with the durability of Ahman Green (if there is such a thing) and the health of the shoulder of Matt Schaub (the lesser of the two evils).  Either way because of a crowded backfield and a solid backup Brown is unquestionably a safe choice as a starting kicker for your team.

 

Josh Scobee

Jacksonville Jaguars

Once his quad injury allowed him to get back on the field, he returned to his old, regularly consistent self again.  This season he should start the year off right, as the Jags are a very popular choice to make the playoffs again this season.  With the addition of more explosive playmakers on the outside and a mean offensive line, Scobee should surely see his fare share of field goal opportunities and that bodes well for the fantasy enthusiast. 

Ryan Longwell

Minnesota Vikings

When you’ve got arguably the best offensive line in the league, with two great running backs behind them, teams have a tendency to move the ball very well.  The key is the quarterback position.  When there is inexperience at the QB position, which there is in Minnesota, sometimes they don’t always make the best decisions to move the chains.  Hence, there will be more field goal tries.  This is why Longwell will be an excellent pick this season as a starting fantasy kicker.

 

This section is a little different from the Sleepers section.  "Deep Sleepers" can be defined as players you can take a chance on very late in your draft or as free agents early in the season.  There is no guarantee these players will start or even play this season.  However, if you do get one of these players and they do become a starter this could be the difference between winning and losing your league.

Trent Edwards

Buffalo Bills

This second year quarterback is in the perfect position to achieve instant success now that he doesn’t have to compete with a veteran for the starting QB spot.  He showed promise last year when the starter went out with a minor injury and he never looked back.  He is surrounded by a much better team this year on both sides of the ball.  He is worth taking a long look at as your number two QB.

Troy Smith - Remove

Baltimore Ravens

What about Troy?  Doesn’t the Heisman mean anything anymore?  Where is his respect?  Where is his love?  Smith deserves a shot to be the starting QB in B-More this year and why not.  He’s been on the team for a full season and made a few great plays last year when he was called upon.  Boller is obviously not the solution.  Let the kid play.  They have nothing to lose. Updated 8/15 – Smith is in a battle with Kyle Boller for the starting job.  He is falling behind but will get the start tonight, which will be his test if he can be the starter.  Updated 8/29- Smith has tonsillitis and will not win the starting job.  We would remove him from the list. 

Tarvaris Jackson

Minnesota Vikings

Nobody seems to think that Tarvaris Jackson can get it done in Minnesota.  I think differently.  Hand it off, get out of the way.  Hand it off, get out of the way.  As long as he doesn’t force plays, he’ll be fine.  Now, I realize that is easier said than done, but he should really see a lot of single coverage in the secondary and he is surely mobile enough to avoid pass rushers behind his great offensive line.  Fake the hand off, play action, TD!

Felix Jones

Dallas Cowboys

With Julius all the way in Seattle and McFadden all the way in Oakland, Felix Jones is a Dallas Cowboy still sitting behind another good RB.  His time will come, maybe sooner than you think.  He has the talent and explosiveness to be a starter in the NFL, but it may take a year or two.  Either way, Jones is worth a spot o your roster just because of his potential for success and because of what you saw him do in Arkansas.

Matt Forte

Chicago Bears

Cedric Benson is no longer a Chicago Bear even after his under-achieving season of a year ago.  In steps rookie sensation Matt Forte from Tulane.  This kid had potential to unseat Benson even if he hadn’t been released from the team.  The signing of Kevin Jones puts more risk in this pick but you should take a chance.  Forte will be available late in the draft so no need to take a chance on him too early, just beware of others watching his fall.

Rashard Mendenhall

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Big Ten Conference is known for putting out some good RB prospects.  Rashard Mendenhall is just another in a long line of them.  Although Parker is a solid starter, the Steelers probably don’t want him to lead the league in carries again this season.  Mendenhall will easily take some pressure and some carries off of “Fast Willie” and that should be enough to keep Parker fresh all season.  Although injury is an unfortunate part of this great game, players just have to be ready.

 

Jason Wright

Cleveland Browns

This third year guy from Northwestern that you probably never heard of is an extremely solid and versatile running back for the Browns.  He will continue to add a different element to the Browns’ rushing attack when he spells Jamal Lewis throughout the game.  He only started one game last season but showed that he can handle the load if called upon.  The Browns have many weapons and they finally proved it last year.  Wright fits in well and is surely one of those weapons.

Kolby Smith

Kansas City Chiefs

This guy will become a valuable asset to your fantasy squad if Johnson can’t stay healthy for a full season.  The Chiefs addressed their horrible offensive line last off-season and should improve their run game this season.  Smith showed that he is certainly worthy of a spot late in the draft as a bench warmer until something happens.  He made a name for himself last season in his first start, so who’s to say that he can’t duplicate that effort again in 2008 if given the opportunity?  Not me.

Tim Hightower

Arizona Cardinals

Added 8/8 – With Marcel Shipp being cut, Hightower could end up the backup come week one.  The rookie has all the skills to be a strong runner in this league.  With Edgerrin James over 30, the odds of him making it through a full season are slim.  Hightower could see playing time right away and is one injury away from being a starter. 

Steve Slaton

Houston Texans

Added 8/18 – The rookie has looked tremendous in camp and gets the start this week in the third preseason game.  True, Ahman Green is dinged up but this is an opportunity for Slaton to shine.  He might not be an every down back; however, he is electric and could turn into a gem. 

Chris Perry

Cincinnati Bengals

Added 8/23 – If the season started today, Perry would be the starter.  Rudi Johnson has been bothered by a hamstring injury leaving Perry running with the first team.  Perry has had a solid camp, though remember he has been injured each of the last two years.  You can take a late round chance on him. 

Bryant Johnson

San Francisco 49ers

Now that he is out of the shadows of Fitzgerald and Boldin, Bryant Johnson can show the entire league that he is worthy of a starting role in the NFL.  The only concern is (not to downplay it as if it is not a major concern) the quarterback play.  The Niners success this season’s will weigh heavily on the shoulders of Alex Smith.  If he can play within himself and get along with Nolan, Bryant Johnson will surely be one of the beneficiaries. Updated 8/18 – Johnson has missed most of the preseason due to a hamstring injury.  So far, he has shown nothing and lead us to believe he might not be the force we thought he would be this season. 

Ronald Curry

Oakland Raiders

If only he can catch the ball every time he gets his hands on it.  That’s the negative part.  The positive is that he has the ability to get open down the field and he has a quarterback with a very strong arm that can and will get him the ball.  The other positive is that he now has a pro bowl receiver opposite of him that will demand a lot of attention.  This means Curry will see more man coverage and should use that to his advantage.

D.J. Hackett - Remove

Carolina Panthers

Yes, he made the list again but wait, let me explain.  If and I mean if, he can stay healthy, he will surely be a nice complement to Steve Smith.  He has come up big for fantasy owners in the past, but has also disappointed at the times when we needed him most.  We live in a world of second chances, this is his second chance to prove that he is worth a spot on a fantasy roster.  There will be no third, although he is worth the gamble. Updated 8/8 – Hackett has been bothered by an injury the first week of camp so he is not getting off on the right foot.  With Steve Smith being suspended for the first two games, Hackett could be the starter in week one.  Updated 8/23- Hackett is still not practicing and should be removed from the sleeper picks. 

James Hardy

Buffalo Bills

This rookie from Indiana is likely to be a starter on this team as early as opening day.  He is a big receiver with good hands and really good speed.  The Bills are dying to find a receiver to play opposite their go-to guy Lee Evans and they may have found that in Hardy.  Inexperience will hurt him at first, but as the season unfolds, this guy could really be a big fantasy producer and that is what counts the most.

David Tyree - Remove

New York Giants

You know David Tyree!  -- the one who made that great catch after Eli’s great scramble to ice the Super Bowl victory for the Giants last season.  Oh yeah!  Now that you know his name, remember it when you are deep into your draft this year and you need another wide out with a tremendous upside.  Tyree might not be the starter just yet, but you never know what the future holds.  Update 8/1: Tyree is on the PUP list due to injury and might not be ready for the season.  We would hold off drafting him.  Updated 8/23 – Tyree is still on PUP and will likely start the season there.  We would remove him from the sleeper picks. 

Derek Hagan

Miami Dolphins

Eddie Royal

Denver Broncos

Anthony Fasano

Miami Dolphins

Parcells knows what he likes and he obviously likes his talented young draft choice from Notre Dame that he groomed in his days with the Cowboys.  With the Fins, Fasano will have a full time starting role in an offense that will be run-heavy, which is good for him.  The Fins won’t make the playoffs this season but that doesn’t mean that certain players won’t putt up decent numbers for you and your team.  Fasano will be a good second TE option for your roster.

Dustin Keller

New York Jets

With Chris Baker unhappy with his contract situation, the Jets have already drafted their TE of the future.  At Purdue, Keller proved to be ready for the NFL with his diligent work ethic and his willingness to get better at the position.  The Jets felt that they needed to address their need on offense and took him in the first round.  This made Baker even more uneasy.  But, he’s a Jet now and he will eventually play…..to be continued.

Kevin Boss

New York Giants

Jeremy Shockey was traded to the Saints just before training camp, leaving Boss with the starting job.  Not so fast, he will have to beat our big time receivers named Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson before he lines up with the first team opening day.  Even with that tough competition, we see Boss as a starter, someone that you should take a chance on. 

Shaun Suisham

Washington Redskins

Suisham finally found a place that he can call home in the nation’s capital.  He made 29 out of 35 field goals last season with the Skins and was one of their most consistent offensive weapons.  This season, he looks to be even more accurate as the Skins try to get back to the playoffs and actually advance this year as well.  With Campbell healthy and more weapons at his disposal, Suisham will need to contribute in a major way and I believe that he will. 

Taylor Mehlhaff

New Orleans Saints

I know.  Some will say I’m crazy but, I’m not crazy enough to realize that a kicker on an explosive offense will get many opportunities to add points to my fantasy team.  With that said, this rookie from Wisconsin has a great leg and excellent potential to unseat the aging and semi-consistent Martin Gramatica for the starting spot in the N.O.  He could be this year’s Gostkowski.  Take him as your last pick and smile.

Matt Prater

Denver Broncos

Well, someone has to fill the big shoes left by Jason Elam.  Why not this free agent from Central Florida?  With Elam now in Atlanta, the future is bright for this strong-legged prospect.  Shanahan will not expect this kid to be Elam at first, but he will expect him to make his attempts when given the opportunity and opportunities he will have.  The way the Broncos move the ball make Prater an excellent final round pickup that nobody’s ever heard of, until the season begins of course.