The JOCKpost 2010 Fantasy Football Sleeper Picks

Every fantasy season there are those players that come out of nowhere. By season’s end you find yourself asking, “Why the hell didn’t I draft that guy?”

Last season players like Miles Austin, Jamaal Charles, Mike Sims-Walker, Ray Rice came out of the woodwork and helped millions of dudes win their respected leagues. If you are like me, you scour the free agent list week after week trying to find these soon-to-be fantasy studs.

Then there are the guys that you think are a sure thing to help your team, but end up being a bigger bust than Darko Milicic. Below, I have compiled a list of guys you may want to take a look at grabbing in later rounds who could turn out to be major players.

Quarterbacks

1.) Tim Tebow – Denver … just kidding. If anyone drafts him at any point in your league, make fun of him for the entire season. I know I will be.

2.) Chad Henne – Miami. Look for a breakout year from him this year. He was a respectable fill-in last year for bye weeks and injuries, but this year I would not be surprised to see a lot of fantasy players starting him throughout the season. All he has to do is throw the ball in the air and Brandon Marshall will come down with it, or fire it to other maturing role players like Devonne Bess and Brian Hartline.

3.) Mark Sanchez – New York Jets. I ragged on everyone last year for drafting this turd. This year I will still rag on people, but not as bad seeing as he did get a lot of experience last year all the way into the second round of the playoffs. The Jets did add a Super Bowl MVP in Santonio Holmes, but the Sanchise won’t see him until later in the season. I’m not ready to crown him fantasy-starter worthy just yet, but I don’t think he is far off.

4.) Vince Young – I’m going to give Vince one last chance to show he can be a major player in fantasy football leagues. Any player with the ability of Young should be able to put up some points week in and week out. Especially when you have the best dual threat running back in the league. Nate Washington, Kenny Britt, and Justin Gage are good young receivers that can get open and pad Young’s stats. You also can’t ignore the fact he can tuck the ball and get down the field as quick as anyone.

5.) Kevin Kolb – Philadelphia. Not really a sleeper, even though he hasn’t proven anything yet. With the talent around him though, I would definitely take a chance on making him my full time starter.

6.) Matt Stafford – Detroit. He showed Lion’s fans that he is the man for years to come. With a year of experience under his belt he could be a serviceable fill-in for a player suffering an injury or bye week.

Running Backs

1.) Shonn Green – New York Jets. He is the man now in the backfield. Some, may accuse you of reaching if you take him early, but tell those guys to suck it because you have last year’s Ray Rice.

2.) Jamaal Charles – Kansas City. He should pick up right where he left off last year. I picked this guy up late in the season and he was my leading scorer almost every week. Thomas Jones may take some of his touches, but not many. If he is available early, take him.

3.) Ryan Matthews – San Diego. I’m going to go ahead and crown Matthews steal of the draft already. He could not have asked for a better position to be put in. Sproles will still get touches, but Ryan will be the one you see near the goal line, which is where you really get your points.

4.) Jahvid Best – Detroit. The job is still Kevin Jones’ to lose, but if this season is like the last two, Jones will be banged up and give you a good game one every three. Don’t take Best early, but if he is available in later rounds and your not sure where to go, grab him. He also has durability issues, but he is worth the risk.

5.) Darren McFadden – Oakland. Yes, I know, putting a Raider on the sleeper list is flirting with constant criticism, but I really think having Jason Campbell at QB is going to change the way this team plays. Campbell is experienced and is extremely efficient. Look for a lot of dump-offs to McFadden that will really benefit you in a PPR league. The O-line is getting pretty respectible, so they should be able to open some holes for him and watch him go to work like he did for Arkansas.

Wide Recievers

If you are in a 3WR league, most of these guys are your third, possibly second tier guys you should be able to pick up 3rd round and later.

1.) Malcolm Floyd – San Diego. Vincent Jackson clone.

2.) Demaryius Thomas – Denver.  Possible Brandon Marshall Jr.

3.) Mike Wallace – Pittsburgh.  Should step right into Santonio Holmes’ shoes

4.) Michael Crabtree – San Francisco.  Alex Smith has to throw to someone

5.) Anthony Gonzalez – Colts.  Was a second round pick in almost all leagues last year. Should be ready to make up for the loss of last season.

6.) Dez Bryant – Dallas. Behind Roy Williams on the depth chart right now, but he will be carrying Bryant’s pads by season end.

7.) Hakeem Nicks – New York Giants. Nicks should make everyone forget about that Plaxico guy.

8.) Darius Hayward-Bay – Oakland.  I see a break-out season for this guy with an experienced QB throwing to him.

9.) Julian Edelman – New England.  If Welker is any bit rusty, Edelman has proven he can step in and catch 8-10 passes a game.

10.) Mohamed Massaquoi – Cleveland.  I had to put at least one Brown on here. When Delhomme isn’t throwing interceptions, they should be completions to this guy.

11.) Devone Bess – Miami. When Brandon Marshall is atracting all the defenders, look for Bess to reap the benefits.

Tight-ends

1.) Zack Miller – Oakland.  See Darius Hayward-Bay.

2.) Jermaine Gresham – Cincinnati.  The Bengals finally have an offensive weapon at TE. I have heard nothing but amazing things about this guy and could turn out to be a huge steal in any fantasy draft. Or be a typical Bengal and get suspended for a season.

3.) John Carlson – Seattle.  After getting me all excited last year when he scored two TD’s in the first game of the season, Hasselbeck went down and so did Carlson’s fantasy relevance. He still has the ability to be a viable option at TE if you want to wait and get one in a later round.

4.) Anthony Fasano – Miami.  He showed some signs last season he might be useful for some fill-in weeks. But, this year with Henne as the definate starter, look for his targets to go up.