Misc. Monday - 08-22-11 - Top 10 fantasy football sleepers for the 2011 season
Let's start at 10 and work our way to number one, with number one being the top sleeper for the upcoming season. And sorry there is no Brian Robiskie in this list Browns fans… and surely no Tim Tebow. It's kind of funny how quickly the Tim Tebow fans have disappeared.
10) CJ Spiller - Running Back - Buffalo Bills - After a disappointing season last year and being third on the depth chart, Spillar should move into a starting role this year in the backfield of the quarterbackless and hopeless Buffalo Bills. Can you name the Bills starting quarterback? It's Ryan Fitzpatrick. Which means Spillar should get some carries and also get return yards if your league scores that category. A top 10 draft pick last year and only had 283 yards rushing in his first campaign. Look for Spillar to break out this year though.
9) Tony Scheffler - Tight End - Detroit Lions - As Matthew Stafford improves (if he stays healthy) so does the Detroit Lions offense, and a big piece of that offense for the Lions is Scheffler. Jay Cutler's roommate and favorite target in Denver a few years ago, Scheffler's first season with the Lions was tough, but this list is about sleepers and comeback players, and this season, Scheffler will be better with a healthy Stafford. If you wait in your draft to get your tight end, take a risk with Scheffler… you won't regret it.
8) Jordan Shipley - Wide Receiver - Cincinnati Bengals - Like the Buffalo Bills, Shipley is on a bad team, but has moved up the depth chart quick with both Terrell Owen and Chad Ochocinco out of Cincinnati. Shipley had 600 yards receiving last year with three touchdowns and if Carson Palmer decides to stick around in Cincinnati, Shipley could have a productive season.
7) Brandon LaFell - Wide Receiver - Carolina Panthers - Second year starter, Brandon LaFell was one of the few bright spots on the Panthers rooster last year. LaFell put up 468 yards receiving while in a secondary role behind Steve Smith. Without Smith in the preseason lineup, LaFell has been targeted a lot more and it looks as though he might have a nice connection with started Cam Newton. If you play four receivers in your starting lineup, LaFell can make a nice fourth receiver or if he breaks out, like I am thinking he can, be a nice three or even second receiver.
6) Christian Ponder - Quarterback - Minnesota Vikings - A key to any successful rookie season for a quarterback is having a solid running game. Big Ben had Jerome Bettis, Matt Ryan had Michael Turner and Sam Bradford had Steven Jackson. Christian Ponder has arguably the best running back in the league, Adrian Peterson, in his backfield. Signee Donavan McNabb might be the opening day Vikings starter, but his days will be number and my guess is that Ponder plays most the season.
5) Daniel Thomas - Running Back - Miami Dolphins - It seems like the Dolphins are pretty happy with their second round draft pick, rookie Daniel Thomas. The Dolphins unloaded both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, leaving Thomas the Miami starting running back. Thomas had a nice game Friday night against the Panthers, rushing for 52 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown. If you play more then two running backs in your lineup watch week or have a utility spot I recommend snagging Thomas in the late rounds. P.S. - Reggie Bush is overrated.
4) Felix Jones - Running Back - Dallas Cowboys – OK, so what? This is kind of an obvious pick. It seems as though Jones will never be a starting running back and will just be used as a Devin Hester-type weapon. Jones will return punts and kickoffs and earn extra points in the return game, but will also catch balls out of the backfield, not to mention he will likely break some big runs out of the backfield. Marion Barber is gone and I think Jones can be a starting running back in the league, as well as a productive number one running back in your lineup.
3) Greg Olsen - Tight End - Carolina Panthers - Like Brandon LaFell, Olsen is going to reap the benefits of having Cam Newton as his quarterback. As Newton learns the league, he can use his big, crafty tight end as a safety blanket, giving Olsen quality numbers this season. Olsen, having attended the "U", can be a great late round pickup at tight end to help you win your league. I would suggest going after him before it's too late though, because he is going to be on a lot of radars this year at your draft.
2) Sam Bradford - Quarter Back - St. Louis Rams - Looking very accurate in the preseason, Sam Bradford is going to start the turn around in St. Louis. Last year Bradford, as a rookie, passed for 3,512 yards and had 18 touchdowns. He is smart, has a great arm and has a good running game. The Rams also play in a bad division where Bradford can shine and should be able to rack up some decent numbers.
1) Randall Cobb - Wide Receiver - Green Bay Packers - Let's face it, Donald Lee is just getting plain old. At the age of 36, Driver's numbers should start to drop off while, rookie Randall Cobb should be ready to step right in. Cobb is going to be, dare I say, "great" this season. Stepping into a starting role with the best offense in the league has got to equal big numbers for the rookie. We all know how Aaron Rodgers likes to spread the ball around his offense. Cobb, who is kind of small, should still be able to get open and has the reliable and accurate Rodgers firing him peas. Pick him early if you want, I would say as high as a fifth round pick.
Good luck in your draft, we will revisit this blog at the halfway point of the NFL season and see how good these top 10 sleepers actually are. I feel pretty solid about Randall Cobb and Felix Jones. I think those guys might go higher in your draft than you expect, so if you want them, you need to go get them early.
Misc. Monday Web Video of the Week
In honor of the high school soccer season starting, here is one of the best classic soccer videos. This keeper gets completely owned by the striker taking the kick. Epic!