Victor Cruz, Jake Ballard, Roy Helu, Jared Cook and Demarco Murray. These are just a few of the names that rose from obscurity to the realm of fantasy relevance last season in the NFL. You were either on board ahead of time and swooped up these players late in your draft or left holding the bag and hoping to get them through your leagues waiver wire process. These sleepers posted here before the 2012 NFL season is even over will put you on pace to dominate your draft next season. Don’t rely on chances to maybe pick up these players a week into the season by waiver.
Marcus Easley(WR/BUFF)- His last two seasons have been spent on IR for a knee(2010)and a heart ailment discovered early last season. He has now been cleared to play in 2012 and has all the tools to become the immediate #2 wide receiver in Buffalo. Stevie Johnson may not be re-signed by the Bills and passing either David Nelson or Donald Jones on the depth chart is not too tall of a task for Easley.
Alex Green(RB/GB)- Green had a chance to get his feet wet this season before ending up on the injured reserve list. While the Packers will never be a ground and pound offense the right running back in this system ends up with huge holes to run through. James Starks and Ryan Grant have had their respective chances and not delivered. Green has all the tools and will be lighting it up next season.
Jason Snelling(RB/ATL)- You know the name because Snelling has actually been a decent contributor to the Falcons over the years and maybe even your fantasy squad. He is on this list because 2012 is the year he blows up on another team. He is a free agent and will be able to walk from Atlanta to a Detroit or a Cleveland and finally get the role he is built for. Snelling is a bruiser who can pound the rock and he has soft hands to make him a very viable 3 down back. Get him on your team late in the draft and reap the rewards.
Stephen Williams(WR/AZ)- This kid is 6′ 5″ and entering his third year with the Cardinals. They dressed him late for a couple games last year and he put up nothing. This is good for the knowledgeable owner who will be able to snag Williams very late in their draft. Passing Early Doucet in the line up will be an easy task and while Andre Roberts really came on late last season Williams will soon be pressing him for the #2 WR position. As teams try to contain Larry Fitzgerald this leaves plenty of balls for Williams and this is the season he shines.
James Casey(TE/HOU)- This another name that both savvy and novice fantasy owners know. He had a blow up game last season as Owen Daniels was out and was targeted repeatedly. Dainels came back, Casey faded so now he sits right where we want him. The league has become TE crazy with Gronk and Graham tearing it up this season. Casey will be the next big thing,trust me. This kid catches everything thrown his way and can also be used as an H-Back. The Texans only scratched the surface of his potential this season and next season he belongs on your roster.
Folks, this is just a taste of the untapped players that will separate you from your lazy league mates. The uneducated owner will surf the same old sites for the same old information from the same old experts. Don’t be that guy. Take these players on draft day and reap the rewards as the rest of the owners fight over re-treads like Nate Burleson,or Robert Meachem. Trust me, have I ever lied to you?
