2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers
The Trashman, Rosterwatch.com

Photo by Alex Dunlap, Rosterwatch.com

This year there are lots of players that have the potential to make a big impact that require little investment. These are my sleeper picks:

 

Ryan Tannehill QB, Miami Dolphins: I don’t care what anyone says, a quarterback is only as good as the guys he has catching the ball, and Tannehill just got an upgrade in the form of Mike Wallace. Having a true top tier receiver to go to can do wonders for a developing quarterback, and though they aren’t yet on the same page, the chemistry will come along. Entering his second year in the league, Tannehill is thinking a little less and playing more football now. He’s using his innate athleticism to impose his will on the field. His attitude is one of a player looking to make a name for himself in the league, and while I can’t condone making him your first QB pick, I have great confidence in him as a solid QB2 with upside.

 

Mike Vick QB, Philadelphia Eagles: Word around the league is that Nick Foles is the favorite to win the quarterback competition in Philly, but I don’t believe a word of it. Vick’s style of play is tailor-made for new coach Chip Kelly’s speed offense, and Nick Foles is a statue.  Still, Vick’s reputation as a force to be dealt with in the league is tarnished from an underwhelming season last year, and his stock is probably the lowest it’s been since re-entering the league. His ADP is 16th among quarterbacks. But, if there’s any chance for him to make a comeback this year, it’s in this offense. We’ve all seen what Vick is capable of, and the sky is the limit.

 

Other sleeper QB picks:

 

E.J. Manuel, Bills: We don’t even know if he’ll start, but we do know that Kevin Kolb is not the answer in Buffalo. Manuel could be the best QB they’ve had in Buffalo for a decade.

 

Geno Smith, Jets: Smith is in a similar situation as Manuel. His competition in Mark Sanchez is laughable, but Smith is still only a rookie. The conservative offense the Jets run could hold him back.

 

Running Back

 

Danny Woodhead RB, San Diego Chargers: As the Ryan Mathews ship continues to sink in sunny San Diego, a new hope is rising in the form of Danny Woodhead. The former Patriot is destined for heavy involvement in the passing game, leaving Mathews to obvious running downs behind a suspect O-line. He’ll also be utilized as a change of pace back in the new offense. What it comes down to here is value, and Woodhead presents a much better value as his ADP 145 is rounds behind Mathews at 52. He could easily surpass the “number one” back in San Diego in fantasy points, and I wouldn’t blink.

 

Christine Michael RB, Seattle Seahawks: You have to be tough to have a name like Christine in professional football. Michael has done nothing but impress since being drafted by the Seahawks, and coach Carroll has a best player will play mentality, so his chances are good of seeing action. Marshawn Lynch’s backup, Robert Turbin, is sidelined for the time being with a foot injury leaving the door open for Michael to take the number two spot. He’s more talented than Turbin too, so it should stick.

 

Joique Bell RB, Detroit Lions: Mr. two minute drill is back. Reggie Bush won’t get all the action in Detroit, and Bell has had success eating up the clock and scoring from the goal line. Mikel Leshoure is still hobbled and is the third back at best.

 

Shane Vereen RB, New England Patriots: Vereen is slated to pick up Danny Woodhead’s former role as utility man and then some in the Patriots’ new run-heavy offense. Stevan Ridley will still be a beast, but Vereen could end up being just as valuable. He’s a great flex play all year.

 

Other potential RB sleepers:

 

Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons: Stephen Jackson looks fresh in his new town, but Rodgers is elusive and quick, things Jackson doesn’t excel at being. Should the Jackson experiment falter, Rodgers could get major action.

 

Bryce Brown, Eagles: Brown will get carries, this much we know. What he does with them is another thing altogether. I like his chances of being a value pick though.

 

Bernard Pierce, Ravens: Perhaps more than any other backup, I think Pearce has a shot to really make waves. He’ll be a fixture in flex spots all season.

 

Giovanni Bernard, Bengals: Bernard should be the lead back sooner than later if Marvin Lewis knows what’s best. He usually doesn’t.

 

Mike Goodson/Bilal Powell, Jets: We’re unsure of Chris Ivory, not that Goodson is guy you want to put any trust in. Powell has been reliable, and could get the benefit of the doubt. Or perhaps Goodson will actually show up at camp and blow them both out of the water. He is the most explosive of the three.

 

Andre Brown, Giants: David Wilson is the big news in New York, but Brown is the goal line back. That should count for something.

Wide Receiver

 

Michael Floyd WR, Arizona Cardinals: Sure, Larry Fitzgerald may get some life breathed back into his career with the recent acquisition of Carson Palmer by the Cardinals, but Floyd is the real value pick here. His last two games of the past season brought in over two hundred yards and a touchdown. Look for him to keep up the momentum in Bruce Arians’ offense as the potential deep threat, the role T.Y. Hilton played in Indianapolis.

Rod Streater WR, Oakland Raiders: Streater isn’t necessarily the best receiver in Oakland, but he does play z receiver and the slot, which is a great position to play with Matt Flynn and his less than stellar arm dishing out the ball. The second-year player is also the most consistent receiver on the team right now, and is already being called the “go-to” for Flynn. Possession catches aren’t sexy, but they add up.

 

Rueben Randle WR, New York Giants: One man’s injury is another man’s opportunity, and Rueben Randle looks to make the most of Hakeem Nicks’ absence with an injured groin. Randle has been lighting up the practice field this preseason in Nicks’ stead, often getting open in double coverage, an ability that not many receivers possess. He’s also the team’s number one punt returner. If you’re in a league that gets return yardage, it would behoove you to move on Randle. Even if you aren’t, I strongly believe he will be valuable at some point this season. It’s a question of when, not if Nicks misses playing time.

 

Other potential WR sleepers:

 

Golden Tate, Seahawks: Now that Harvin is sidelined, Tate has an empty elevator to the top. Everyone knows that now, so I guess he’s not much of a true sleeper.

 

Brian Quick, Rams:s Hopefully Quick lives up to his pedigree this year. It’s an open competition in St. Louis, and he has the ability to set himself apart.

 

Greg Little, Browns: Little just keeps plugging away. He wants to get better, and it shows on the practice field. It could be him and not Josh Gordon who leads the Browns in receiving.

 

Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers: Sanders is stepping into a low-pressure situation as second dog to Antonio Brown. All he has to do is play, and the results will pay dividends. He could be the new Heinz Ward on the offense.

 

Robert Woods, Bills: Move over Stevie Johnson. It may not be this season, but Woods will develop into the go to guy in Buffalo.

 

Kenbrell Thompkins, Patriots: He’s the only receiver making a name for himself in training camp for the Patriots. He’s fast and a good route runner. That’s all Tom Brady needs to make somebody into an All Pro.

 

Jeremy Kerley, Jets: We liked him last year, and we’ll like him even more if Geno SMith gets named Qb.

 

Mike Williams, Buccaneers: Williams might be my favorite receiver in the league. No one else gives you quality at such a low price. look for him to continue his winning ways.

 

Nate Washington, Titans: Another old faithful, Washington is always worth rostering.

 

Deandre Hopkins, Texans: Andre Johnson keeps getting older, and someday soon people will realize that. Hopkins is being groomed to be the next great Texans receiver. Hop on board before it catches on.

Tight End

 

Rob Housler TE, Arizona Cardinals: Described by coach Arians as a wideout playing tight end, Housler is going to do his best Aaron Hernandez impression, without all the murder. Many consider the 25 year old to be the breakout candidate of the team this season. That’s saying a lot with Michael Floyd making waves too. I would take Housler as my second tight end, and then trade whoever I chose as my first.

 

Other potential TE sleepers:

 

Martellus Bennett, Bears: The black unicorn has only improved his situation on a new team. Jay Cutler may need a safety blanket, and Bennett looks warm.

 

Dustin Keller, Dolphins: He could have a great year. He’ll at least have a good one.

 

Jared Cook, Rams: Maybe now Cook will come into his own on this rams squad. He has top five ability.

Jordan Cameron, Browns: The staff seems to think he’s the next Gronkowski. What do you have to lose in picking him up in the next to last round?