Every season, many fantasy football publications identify sleepers. Inevitably, such sleeper picks lose their sleeper status as draft time approaches due to hype and publicity. True sleepers fly under the radar and deliver surprising results. Here are several players that have not received much hype, and as a result, are still available on the majority of waiver wires. Such players may not reap immediate benefits but they could provide value as the season progresses.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay – It is not often that a running back that averages 4.6 yards per carry is a backup, but fumbles casted a shadow of doubt over Blount’s ability to become an elite player. Despite the fumbling woes, Blount has compiled a 385 carries, 1788 yards and 11 touchdowns over his first two seasons in the NFL. Doug Martin has received the rookie hype but Blount has demonstrated success in the NFL. Remember all of the hype surrounding first round pick C.J. Spiller a couple of years ago? Fred Jackson is still the starter. Blount is currently owned in 42% of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues.
Felix Jones, RB, Dallas – The Cowboys selected Jones in the first round of the 2008 draft. While he has averaged over 5 yards per carry in his short career, Jones has not been able to overcome the depth chart. Whether it is Marion Barber or DeMarco Murray, Jones is typically the back up. With good hands and break -away speed, Jones has the capability to become a top ten fantasy running back. If anything happens to Murray, watch out for Jones, who is currently owned in 31% of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues.
Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh – According to offseason reports, new Steelers Offensive Coordinator was very excited at the prospect of working with Heath Miller. The Steelers tight end was underutilized by former Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians despite having excellent hands. Miller is capable of an elite fantasy season if he is targeted by Ben Roethlisberger on a more consistent basis. Owned in only 23% of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues, Miller is available for the taking.
Dallas Clark, TE, Tampa Bay – It is not often that one will find a former 100 reception tight end floating around on the waiver wire. The last time Clark played a full season (2009), he caught 100 passes for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman is not an elite quarterback (yet), but he has a big arm and is capable of putting up gaudy numbers. Owned in only 26% of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues, Clark is another tight end that could lead you to the promised land.
Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis – The first overall pick of the 2010 draft lived up to the hype by tossing 18 touchdown passes in his rookie campaign. The future was bright and Bradford was poised to become an elite NFL quarterback. Then 2011 happened. Last season, Bradford was sacked 36 times in 10 games. The Rams injury riddled offensive line surrendered the most sacks in the NFL by allowing 55 for the season. Bradford’s ceiling is unknown, but if the Rams offensive line performs well, he could live up to his potential. Bradford is an excellent post hype pick and deserves a spot on your roster. He is only owned in 23% of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues and could become an elite option in 2012.
Honorable mention: Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert, Danny Amendola
