A New Pack Of Sleepers
November 5, 2008 at 11:57 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
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The fantasy football landscape changes constantly, even in very subtle ways. During a week when QBs galore were replaced due to bad performances and injuries, there are also several new sleepers that have emerged - some based on solid play, others finally returning from injuries.
Matt Schaub is out in Houston, and Sage Rosenfels takes over as the team’s starter for the next 3-4 weeks. It looks like Daunte Culpepper will get a shot in Detroit with Dan Orlovsky out, and the most publicized QB change - Brady Quinn makes his first real NFL start on Thursday night against the Broncos. Lastly, with Ben Roethlisberger’s status up in the air, it looks like Byron Leftwich could be called upon for a second straight week.
However, we’re not focusing on those occurrences this week, as we believe they’ll have a minimal impact around the league. We’re looking at a new pack of sleeper wide receivers, as well as IDPs returning from injuries that need to be taken seriously moving forward.
Let’s start with the sleeper WRs…
Shaun McDonald, Detroit Lions - The 27 year old, who caught 79 balls for 943 yards and six TDs last season, has completely come alive after the Lions dealt Roy Williams to Dallas, hauling in 11 balls for 133 yards and a TD in his last two games. Even though he may not start games, he’s definitely the team’s WR2 right now, and has a friendly match-up at home this week against Jacksonville. If Daunte Culpepper can step in and play well, McDonald’s value could continue to rise.
Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs - Wow. We’re extremely impressed with fourth year man Mark Bradley. We knew he was a great player, and injuries always held him back in Chicago, but never did we expect him to step in after being signed by the Chiefs, and start to make such an immediate impact. The Chiefs offense has struggled this season, but fantasy owners need to realize that the team has moved the ball extremely well for the last two games under the leadership of Tyler Thigpen. Bradley hauled in five passes for 42 yards and a TD against the Jets in Week 8, and caught four balls for 65 yards and threw a TD pass against the Buccaneers in Week 9. The 26 year old 6′2″ pass catcher from Oklahoma could be a phenomenal pick-up at this point in time for dynasty owners, because if he stays healthy and the Chiefs continue to improve, he could be the 1B to Dwayne Bowe’s 1A.
Mark Clayton, Baltimore Ravens - Clayton, a college teammate of Bradley’s at Oklahoma, and a player selected a mere 15 spots ahead of him in the 2005 NFL Draft, caught four balls for 87 yards and a score against the Browns in Week 9, and faces the Texans in Week 10 as the team’s number two WR opposite Derrick Mason. Due to the fact that Demetrius Williams is out for the season on injured reserve, Clayton has an opportunity to regain the momentum he claimed as a second year man in 2006 when he caught 67 balls for 939 yards and five TDs, and appeared on his way to becoming the team’s star WR in 2007. With guys like Roddy White and Matt Jones turning around their careers in years three and four, it’s definitely possible that two more WRs from the same draft class (Clayton and Bradley) do the same.
Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars - Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments slash busts of the 2008 fantasy season has been 30 year old Jerry Porter. He signed to be Jacksonville’s number one WR and give David Garrard the downfield passing threat he so desperately needed. Instead, he’s appeared in only two games and has three catches for 44 yards on the season. However, he’s finally healthy now (not on the injury report this week) and faces the Lions in Week 10. Later on the schedule, the Jags face the Texans, Vikings, Bears, Packers and Colts - all teams that have been susceptible to the pass this season. A return to health, combined with a potential suspension of Matt Jones, means Porter could see a quick bump in fantasy value.
Michael Jenkins, Atlanta Falcons - Believe it or not, the 6′4″ former first round pick from Ohio State has been fairly consistent this season. His numbers haven’t been earth shattering, but he’s caught three or more balls in all but three of his games this season, including two catches for 64 yards and two scores in Week 9 at Oakland. Matt Ryan is looking to Jenkins more as Roddy White draws more attention from opposing defenses. Look for him to be a potential waiver wire gem at this point in the season, as he’s surpassed 50 yards receiving in each of his last three games.
IDPs on the comeback…
Bob Sanders, Colts FS - Bob is back. After taking care of ankle and knee problems and being out since Week 2, the 27 year old stud safety and heart and soul of the Colts defense returned to rack up eight tackles and intercept a pass against the New England Patriots in Week 9. He didn’t miss a series and should be considered a top five defensive back in all IDP leagues. If owners in your league aren’t hip to his news yet, you could have yourself a steal off the waiver wire.
Madieu Williams, Vikings FS - Bob isn’t the only one that’s back. Madieu, who signed a nice little free agent deal with the Vikings this off-season, made his debut for the Vikings in Week 9, starting and racking up eight solo tackles and an interception. Williams, who is only 27 as well, should be a phenomenal asset to the already strong Vikings defense moving forward, and could be a great fantasy option for the rest of the season as long as he’s healthy.
Ray Edwards, Vikings DE - 23 year old Ray Edwards, who has struggled with nagging injuries this season, finally had a strong game, racking up nine tackles and his first sack of the season against Houston in Week 9. Expect more solid play from Edwards, as Minnesota’s defense is cooking with gas.
This article is also featured on Athlon/Grogan’s Fantasy Football, your spot for Cheat Sheets updated daily, and Fantasy tools to manage your team all year long.
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