Fantasy Football News

The A List - Sleepers

08/25/2007

Fantasy football owners know that the bottom two rounds of any fantasy football draft are the most difficult to complete. In larger leagues you are scrambling through players that you can take a chance on and one week hope that they can contribute to your success. Usually, you look at fantasy players that are back ups, can serve as protection to one of your earlier picks just in case of injury or off field transgressions. One can also look for fantasy football rookies that aren’t ballyhooed coming out of college, but just end up in the right scheme to maximize their talents. This edition of the A – List looks at all of the aforementioned situations in giving you a handful of fantasy football sleepers for 2007.

Jacoby Jones WR Houston Texans
In watching Jacoby during this preseason, the first thing that pops out is his size, standing at 6-2 and weighing 210 lbs. he is a load to bring down once he catches the ball. The explosiveness is there as the Texans have gotten him the ball on reverses and in the return game. Presently, he is the third receiver behind Andre Johnson (all pro) and Kevin Walter (who?), as Jacoby continues to make plays you have got to like his chances to move up on the depth chart. Jones should start making big noise around week 3 or 4. A pick best saved for the later rounds, especially in leagues that allow fantasy points for return yards.

Ladell Betts RB Washington Redskins
On paper, Ladell Betts is Clinton Portis’ backup, to smart fantasy football owners Ladell is a valuable addition and safety net to those with Portis. Portis, already battling knee pain, will eventually give carries and playing time to Betts during the 2007 season. Betts did rush for 1100 yards last season and even though he only scored 5 total touchdowns he still is a quality fantasy football option as a sleeper pick. Betts makes the most of his chances in the passing game as well, with the Redskins passing game still struggling; Ladell Betts will gain fantasy football points on his reception yardage as well as his rushing.

Vincent Jackson WR San Diego Chargers
Somebody has to catch passes from the wide receiver in San Diego in order for the Chargers o take that next step as an offense and as a team. This year the fantasy points will go to Vincent Jackson. A tall target with decent speed, Jackson is growing into the role of a possession receiver that is dangerous in the red zone. Most of the touchdowns will still flow thru Gates and Tomlinson, but Jackson will use his size and ability to gather at least 6 (as he did last season) touchdowns, proving his worth as a fantasy football sleeper. Definitely worth a late round pick.

Kevin Curtis WR Philadelphia Eagles
Kevin Curtis is a proven receiver that when given the opportunity can be a very productive fantasy football scoring option. Already schooled in an open pass oriented attack (Mike Martz’s Rams) Curtis should flourish in the Eagles’ spread attack with a healthy Donovan McNabb. Instead of playing the slot as he did in St. Louis, Kevin will man one of the outside receiver slots for the Eagles and if preseason is any indication; Kevin Curtis is ready to turn in big fantasy football numbers in 2007. Kevin has shown he can contribute in a big way, as he did in ’05 when he recorded career highs in yardage and touchdowns. Kevin will do well on a fantasy football team, especially leagues that start 3 receivers.

Santonio Holmes WR Pittsburgh Steelers
After a productive rookie campaign (824 yards, 2 tds), Santonio Holmes is primed to progress as the big play threat the Steelers have been missing since the departure of Antwaan Randle El. At times Holmes loses concentration and may drop a pass or two, but usually he is a more than adequate receiver. Under the tutelage of Hines Ward, Santonio has shown this preseason that he is ready to blossom in the newly opened Pittsburgh offense. Antonio has excellent speed and works hard to get open; it is his skill after the catch that makes him valuable. An experienced return man, Holmes runs to daylight and takes on tacklers like a running back once he is free in the secondary. This fantasy football sleeper may go early, around the eight or ninth round, because many owners are looking for big numbers out of the Steelers’ attack.

James Jones WR Green Bay Packers
James Jones is coming into this season as a rookie with the chance to make a lot of fantasy football noise. As the Green Bay Packers look to give Brett Favre an explosive supporting cast in his final (maybe) year. As a fantasy player, James will put up stats comparable to the third receivers throughout the league. A fantasy football sleeper shows the ability to make plays given the opportunity. In this preseason Jones has done just that; performing like a number one receiver when called on by the Packers. Fantasy owners, we only need him to perform at the same level during the regular season to certify his status as a fantasy football sleeper.

About the Author
Augustine Dashiell is a senior staff writer for fflcommish.com, a fantasy football league management service providing flexible features for the discerning fantasy football league manager . He can be reached at augustine@fflcommish.com.