NFL: Early 2012 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Team-By-Team)

If you are a serious fantasy football player, it is time to start researching for sleepers. There is still a lot of off-season left, but the draft is over and most of the impact free agents have already signed. I pick one sleeper on every NFL team and give team-by-team analysis at this point in the off-season.

Some of the choices are no-brainers, but a few of the teams only have very deep sleepers. I didn't focus much on quarterbacks, since nearly every team has already named a starter for next season. A lot of incoming rookies and slot receivers made the list.

The sleepers I list below consists of running backs, wide receivers and tight ends who could impact their teams and your fantasy league this season. Let me know if you have your own fantasy football sleeper that didn't make the list. I will make sure to give you credit when I update this list during training camp.

Arizona Cardinals - RB Ryan Williams - Williams is coming off major knee surgery and will miss at least two games to start the season. I don't trust Beanie Wells as a starting running back and the Cardinals backup options are a mixed bunch. LaRod Stephens-Howling, Javarris James, Alphonso Smith, and Jared Crank are the guys who will battle for position on the depth chart. Williams is a guy you need to circle and keep an eye on his progress.

Atlanta Falcons - RB Jason Snelling - How can I have a fantasy football sleeper post without including the perennial sleeper favorite Jason Snelling? Michael Turner turns 30 this season and has carried the ball over 300 times in three of the last four seasons. He is at risk of regressing this season, but that same warning was also given before the 2011. Keep this in mind, the Falcons cut Pro Bowl fullback Ovie Mughelli. Bradie Ewing, a rookie, will be blocking for Turner this season. Jacquizz Rodgers is a back that shouldn't steal any carries from either Turner or Snelling, since he brings something different to the position.

Baltimore Ravens - WR Jacoby Jones - The Ravens have a slew of young wide receivers. Torrey Smith, Tommy Streeter, Demetrius Williams, and Tandon Doss will fight for playing time, but Jones has the most experience out of that group. Jones will be used as a return specialist, but he will also get opportunities at wide receiver. Flacco can't rely on an entire receiving corps of guys who are adjusting to the NFL. Keep an eye on this situation as training camp progresses.

Buffalo Bills - WR Naaman Roosevelt - Buffalo's wide receiver corps is an improved group. Stevie Johnson and David Nelson are the leaders, but after them it is unknown who the #3 or #4 receivers will be when the season begins. Naaman Roosevelt, Brad Smith, and Ruvell Martin will battle for those two spots. Roosevelt is a local fan favorite since he was born in Buffalo and went to college there. Ryan Fitzpatrick has the green light to air it out and he will spread the ball around.

Carolina Panthers - WR David Gettis - Gettis is a very interesting sleeper this year. He suffered an ACL tear last season and never had the opportunity to experience the regular season with Cam Newton. He had 500+ yards in 2010 with a hodgepodge of quarterbacks throwing to him (Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen & Tony Pike). Steve Smith had a Pro Bowl year in 2011 and Brandon LaFell had a promising season with 613 receiving yards. Gettis should win the #3 WR spot over Armanti Edwards and Joe Adams. Adams is someone to keep your eye on. He is an impressive talent and could impress Carolina's coaching staff in training camp.

Chicago Bears - TE Evan Rodriguez - Mike Tice is the new offensive coordinator in Chicago and he will not ignore the tight end position like former offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Kellen Davis will be the starter, but expect plenty two-TE sets. Cutler checked down to tight ends in Denver and Chicago's tight ends will be more productive in 2012.

Cincinnati Bengals - WR Jordan Shipley - Cincinnati drafted receivers A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, and Marvin Jones in the last two drafts. All three are tall and are a better fit on the outside. Shipley is the perfect slot receiver and he will be healthy this season. I look for Andy Dalton to build on his excellent rookie campaign.

Cleveland Browns - WR Travis Benjamin - Brandon Weeden has a bigger arm than Colt McCoy, so expect the wide receivers to have increased stats. Greg Little, Josh Cribbs, and Mohammed Massaquoi will all have the opportunity for breakout years. Benjamin could sneak into the game when the Browns go four-wide. Rookie quarterbacks get to know rookie wide receivers really well. They work with them in rookie mini-camp and they could develop chemistry.

Dallas Cowboys - TE James Hanna - Jason Witten has played ten seasons and is 30 years old. The Cowboys run plenty of 2-TE sets and Hanna is the next best tight end on the roster. He was impressive at Oklahoma in college and is in line to be Witten's successor. He is a big target for Tony Romo and has nice hands.

Denver Broncos - WR Brandon Stokley - Peyton Manning and Brandon Stokley are old friends and worked out together this off-season. They were also teammates together in Indianapolis. Stokley had 1,000+ yards and 10 TDs with Manning in 2004. They have amazing chemistry together and will be a huge asset in the slot. Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas will have success in 2012, but they are known commodities and both will be drafted.

Detroit Lions - RB Mikel Leshoure - Mikel Leshoure missed his entire rookie year to a serious injury and Jahvid Best has trouble staying on the field for Detroit. Leshoure is an intriguing sleeper since he could be a forgotten player during your league's draft. He could serve a two-game suspension for a marijuana arrest this off-season. Best will have the starting job going into the season, but Leshoure is the backup who has the best shot at starting for their team at some point in the season.

Green Bay Packers - RB Marc Tyler - James Starks has the starting job going into the season, but he has never had the job by himself. He split the carries with Ryan Grant last year, who is no longer on the team. John Kuhn will continue to vulture touchdowns in Green Bay. The backup running back job is up in the air. Marc Tyler has the best shot at winning the job over Brandon Saine. Tyler had a solid career at USC, a college known for grooming elite NFL running backs.

Houston Texans - WR Keshawn Martin - Jacoby Jones is no longer on the Texans and Martin will be taking over as their return specialist. He will not be in that role exclusively. He should play in the slot position or take over the 3rd wide receiver position if DeVier Posey has a rough training camp.

Indianapolis Colts - RB Delone Carter - The starting running back job is up for grabs in Indianapolis. Joseph Addai is gone and they will need either Donald Brown, Vick Ballard or Delone Carter to shine in training camp. Brown is the front-runner for the job. If he gets it, Carter should get plenty of goal-line carries. He is currently the front-runner to be the third-down back. I almost picked Ballard for the sleeper, since he has the same build as Carter.

Jacksonville Jaguars - WR Cecil Shorts - The Jaguars are looking to open the playbook for Blaine Gabbert in 2012. Mike Thomas led the receivers in receptions last season and the addition of Justin Blackmon is huge for Gabbert's development. The #3 and #4 spots are open to win during training camp. Shorts, Laurent Robinson, Brian Robiskie, and Chastin West will be battling for those two spots. Shorts only had two receptions last season, but he as a lot of speed. Gabbert is still a work in progress and any wide receiver other than Thomas or Blackmon will be a risky gamble.

Kansas City Chiefs - WR Devon Wylie - Wylie is another rookie that could make an impact this season. He is a smaller receiver and will be used in the slot. Scott Pioli knows all about how much Wes Walker improved the Patriots and they hope Wylie can deliver a spark.

Miami Dolphins - WR B.J. Cunningham -It isn't known if Ryan Tannehill will start the season as the starting quarterback or have either Matt Moore or David Garrard keep the position warm. When you glance at the wide receivers on the Dolphins roster, you have to google most of them. Davone Bess and Brian Hartline are the only receivers left who contributed in 2011. They added Legedu Naanee in the off-season and he will be a factor in the passing attack. B.J. Cunningham had a productive career at Michigan State and has an NFL body. He has great hands and has the size to jump for balls if Tannehill has trouble with his accuracy early in his career.

Minnesota Vikings - WR Greg Childs - Christian Ponder needs big targets and Michael Jenkins and Childs are the perfect receivers to line up on the edges. Percy Harvin can go back to the slot position. Childs was impressive at Arkansas, but fell in the draft due to a late-season injury. It is unknown if he will be 100% by the first game of the season, but that news should be released soon.

New England Patriots - RB Joseph Addai - Stevan Ridley and Danny Woodhead have a stranglehold on the running back position for New England. I am listing Joseph Addai as a deep sleeper because Bill Belichick seems to squeeze every last drop of talent out of thought-to-be washed up running backs. Woodhead and Addai could be a scary pass catching duo out of the backfield. The Patriots will be very creative in their formations with both of them having great hands.

New Orleans Saints - WR Nick Toon - How many Saints receivers have you owned over the last three seasons? Drew Brees likes to spread it around with Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, and Marques Colston expected to catch the majority of his passes. Robert Meachem is no longer on the team and Toon is built like Colston. It is possible that they will use him in a similar capacity.

New York Giants - TE Martellus Bennett - The Cowboys drafted Bennett to be Jason Witten's successor, but he never had the opportunity to be a productive player. The Giants already have Kevin Boss and just drafted Adrien Robinson. Bennett will get plenty of looks in the trendy two-TE set.

New York Jets - RB Terrance Ganaway - The Jets drafted Ganaway to help inject new blood into the backfield. Shonn Greene had a 1,000 yard season last year, but struggled at times. LaDainian Tomlinson is no longer on the team and Joe McKnight will get some carries. Ganaway has a shot at earning the backup job over McKnight. He has the talent but will need to adjust to the NFL. His carries should increase as the season goes along...sorry, I forgot to mention Tim Tebow. We have no idea how the Jets will use him. He could be a player that will have passing, receiving, and rushing stats by the end of the year.

Oakland Raiders - RB Taiwan Jones - Darren McFadden is coming back from a serious injury. He already has a history of various injuries that forced him to miss games. Oakland signed Mike Goodson from Carolina, but Taiwan Jones is an intriguing player. He was limited in 2011 because Michael Bush was in the way. Bush is now in Chicago and the backup job is open in Oakland.

Philadelphia Eagles - RB Dion Lewis - LeSean McCoy just signed a lucrative deal to stay in Philadelphia long-term. A lot of backs regress the season after they earn a big deal. I'm not saying that McCoy will sleep on his pile of money and be lazy, but it is just a weird coincidence in the NFL. Ronnie Brown is no longer his backup and Lewis is the next in line. I don't see Bruce Brown as a threat to overtake Lewis, but I'd be curious if he earns a roster spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers - WR Jerricho Cotchery - Mike Wallace is marred in a contract dispute which may not be resolved before training camp. Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown will step up and fill the need, but Cotchery lends veteran leadership to the position. He could take over Hines Ward's role. He will not be a superstar, but a possession receiver that could steal a few touchdowns inside the red zone. Another possible sleeper is rookie running back Chris Rainey. Isaac Redman will be Rashard Mendenhall's handcuff, but keep an eye on Rainey.

San Diego Chargers - WR Eddie Royal - The Chargers lost Vincent Jackson and Legedu Naanee this off-season but added Robert Meachem, Roscoe Parrish, and Eddie Royal. Philip Rivers still has Malcolm Floyd as his #1 receiver with Meachem the likely #2. Royal is the ideal slot receiver and has the speed to add yards after the catch. Rivers will throw for 4,500 yards again, but it is unknown how those yards will be divided. The first few games will foreshadow the rest of the season.

San Francisco 49ers - WR Chris Owusu - Alex Smith had a hard time connecting with his receivers in 2011. He used Vernon Davis and Frank Gore as his crutches and Michael Crabtree would often disappear in games. San Francisco signed Mario Manningham and Randy Moss in the off-season, but adding Owusu was a smart move. He played for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford and should pick up the offensive system fast. I'm not saying that he will have more receiving yards than the aforementioned receivers, but he could surprise a lot of fantasy football owners. I would declare him as a very deep sleeper.

Seattle Seahawks - RB Robert Turbin - For the people who draft Marshawn Lynch, Turbin will be his handcuff. He had a solid career at Utah State and should have an impact with the Seahawks. He's a workout warrior and a very intriguing running back to keep an eye on this season.

St. Louis Rams - RB Isaiah Pead - Steven Jackson will be 29 years old at the start of the season. He has been very durable throughout his career. He currently has a streak of seven straight 1,000 seasons. Jackson has a lot of miles on his body and he could start to break down over the next few years. Pead could receive some carries to spell him during long drives. He is a handcuff that you should make sure to own if you draft Jackson.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - WR Tiquan Underwood - Josh Freeman will have plenty of targets to throw to in 2012. Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, Sammie Stroughter, and Dallas Clark will all be awaiting his passes. It is hard to pick a sleeper from this team since Doug Martin isn't really a sleeper. He should get a lot of playing time by splitting carries with LaGarrette Blount. If I had to pick one, it would be Tiquan Underwood. He played for new head coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers. The receiving corps is very full and he may not even make the squad. He is just a guy to be aware of in very, very deep leagues.

Tennessee Titans - WR Lavelle Hawkins - Jake Locker is in the same boat as Christian Ponder and Blaine Gabbert this season. They had an abrupt preseason last year and they will have an entire off-season program this year. It is still unknown if Matt Hasselbeck will start the season at quarterback, but I will assume that Locker starts the season. Kenny Britt missed most of the last season due to injury. Nate Washington, Damian Williams, and Hawkins picked up the slack and had better than expected numbers. Britt will take away from a lot of the other WRs' targets this year. Hawkins is a small receiver and could get a decent amount of balls in the short passing game.

Washington Redskins - WR Anthony Armstrong - The Redskins added Josh Morgan and Pierre Garcon to the team this off-season. Those signings received a lot of media attention. The Redskins are making sure that Robert Griffin III has enough weapons to succeed in the NFL. The public forgot that Washington still has Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong. As a Colts fan, I can tell you that Garcon drops a lot of balls. Garcon, Moss, and Armstrong all have the same stature, but Moss isn't suited to play the slot. If Garcon starts to make mistakes, Armstrong's role will increase. One last thing...I want to add Kirk Cousins as a possible deep sleeper. He is the exact opposite of Griffin III. Cousins is a stationary quarterback and Griffin III may expose himself to some vicious hits by running with the ball. I am not saying that you should take a late-round flyer on Cousins, but just be aware of their distinct differences.

Would Peyton Help Groom Tim Tebow?

As Peyton Manning is in Denver talking with the Broncos, we all wonder how this will affect Tim Tebow. It isn't a guarantee that Manning will sign with them, since he will most likely visit a few more teams. Would Manning be afraid of the backlash that comes with blocking Tim Tebow from starting? Would he accept the role of mentor? What can Tebow learn from one of the games best quarterbacks? A lot of questions are still in the air, but one thing is known, they are both fierce competitors.

Manning has never been on a team with another quarterback that could start in the NFL. I think he has helped groom some of his back-ups in Indianapolis, but it wasn't his job. When the Colts were winning 12 games a year, Jim Sorgi or Curtis Painer would play a lot in the last few games of the year. Manning would have a headset on and he would be calling plays. He was able to do that because he had no threat at losing his job. I'm guessing that he enjoyed watching someone that he helped mold and call plays for him. Saying all of that, the situation in Denver would be quite different.


Drafting Tim Tebow in the first-round and having the ground-swell of support from Denver's fans, has been a problem for the Broncos front-office. John Elway has since taken over the operations and he wasn't in charge when Tebow was drafted. Football bloggers and mainstream journalists were waiting to see if Elway would him a shot. After a watching the first few games last year, Elway thought that they had nothing to lose and unleashed Tebow. Was Elway hoping that he would fall on his face? Elway's in a position that he has to leave Tebow alone or the fanbase will turn on him. The only way out of this would be if he signed Peyton Manning.

Denver's defense was very solid last year and rookie Von Miller was exceptional. In a weak AFC West, the Broncos are built to win now. They have the cap space to sign Manning and maybe a few of his old teammates (Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and/or Dallas Clark). The fanbase would realize that Manning would be the best choice to lead this team...right now.

What can Tebow learn from being Manning's back-up? First, he would probably be in less pictorials with his shirt off. I've seen Tim Tebow shirtless more times than I have seen myself nude. After that is addressed, he can learn to become a better passer. Manning helped build an offense around his strengths. Tom Moore was a huge help in doing that, but he started to learn defenses and call audibles at the line. This what Tebow needs to learn the most from Manning. If he can recognize defenses, he can go in the huddle and call one passing play and one QB option play. He can see what the defense gives him and then signal to his teammates which play he's calling. If he perfected that, Tebow would be more of a threat than Michael Vick...assuming that Tebow learns how to throw more accurately.

Will Manning groom Tim Tebow if he signs with Denver? I'm assuming that it would be a condition in his contract. What if Manning finishes his career there, in three or four years, and hands the keys to Tebow and he stinks? It wouldn't completely tarnish his reputation, but it wouldn't look good. Brett Favre never had that problem with Aaron Rodgers, even though he had nothing to do with Rodgers' success.

The apprenticeship that Tebow would receive from Manning would be priceless. They are both fierce competitors, Tebow just needs someone to mold him. He will not be fixed over night, so Manning would be the perfect stopgap.





Seriously bro, put on a shirt!

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2010 NFL Week 1 - Fantasy Football Sit/Start

I'm back with this season's weekly post when I announce who will be fantasy football studs and duds. I made it to the championship game in every fantasy football league I was in last season. I helped a lot of people last season and I got a lot of great feedback from readers. Here are my players to sit and start for Week 1.

I want to explain what I mean by "sit" and "start." Of course you are going to start some of the guys i say to bench this week, because you probably used high draft picks or a lot of money in an auction for them. I am just not completely sold that they will have good weeks. If you have a guy that you are on the fence about, maybe this will help you pick between the players.

START'EM

Adrian Peterson - Favre isn't 100%, Peterson should see a lot of work against the Saints.

Drew Brees - Vikings run defense is solid, but secondary can be throw on, if he's given time.

Both Steve Smiths - They face each other this week and they are both solid starts. I think Matt Moore is an upgrade over Jake Delhomme.

Chad Henne - If Brandon Marshall can make Kyle Orton look good, imagine how good he will make Henne look this season.

Michael Turner - The Steelers defense will focus on stopping him and making Matt Ryan throw to beat them, but Turner is difficult to contain.

Rashard Mendenhall - Dixon is the QB and he will need a rushing attack and an option to dump the ball off, Mendenhall will have a nice game.

Calvin Johnson - When healthy, Johnson is a freak...he's healthy and the Bears secondary is bad.

Matt Forte - I could be in the minority in thinking that Forte will have a nice season. He has nice hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Cutler will have to checkdown a lot to keep from throwing picks.

Cedric Benson - The Patriots front four is getting old and Benson should get the ball a lot.

Pierre Garcon - The Texans secondary is weak, all the Colts wide receiving corps should do well. Garcon has the hands and speed to do damage.

Chris Johnson - You used the #1 pick in the draft, you have to start him no matter the situation.

Jason Campbell - Redskins had him in handcuffs and the Raiders will let him use his cannon, even if his wideout options are weak.

Vernon Davis - He has turned to be Alex Smith's #1 target and Seattle gave up a ton of TDs to tight ends last year.

Arizona Cardinals Defense - You have to start any defense that face the St. Louis Rams this season.

Tony Romo - He's on the road in a big game, he has to be hyped for a game like this. He has many options to throw to and defenses will have to plan to stop Jones and Barber.

LaDanian Tomlinson - I know, I know...a bit risky. Shonn Greene is the #1 back, but I think LT gets in the end zone.

Green Bay Packers defense - Kevin Kolb looked good filling in for McNabb last season, but the Packers are going throw the kitchen sink at him.

Phillip Rivers - The Chiefs will be energized with a home Monday Night Football game, but their secondary is weak.

Both Mike Williams - DEEP LEAGUE START - You should start these in a standard league, but both Mike Williams (Tampa Bay and Seattle) are the only solid options on their teams at wideout.


SIT'EM

Brett Favre - He has to prove to me that his ankle is well enough to do anything of importance before I can start him in a standard league.

Pierre Thomas - He will lose some carries to Reggie Bush and the Vikings run defense is top notch.

Brandon Jacobs - He seems to have a scaled back role in 2010 and Ahmad Bradshaw is set to take over #1 duties.

Any Buffalo Bills player - I know C.J. Spiller is a sexy pick this year, but they need so much help on offense, they can't just rely on him.

Dennis Dixon - The Steelers would rather have Byron Leftwich at QB...that should tell you something.

Jay Cutler - The Bears O-line is bad, if the Lions can get pressure on Cutler, he's going to throw picks.

Any NE Patriots RB - The backfield for the Patriots is so congested, it's a crapshoot in trying to choose who to play.

Arian Foster - Steve Slaton and Derrick Ward are both on the roster. Slaton has had good games against the Colts, but Foster is a different type of back, a back that the Colts can stop.

Sam Bradford - He's a rookie and has zero options at wide receiver. It will be a long season for the young quarterback.

Donovan McNabb - He's a question mark to even play, so he's too risky to take a chance.

Derrick Mason - Not sure why so many people are on his bandwagon this season. He's up their in age and Boldin should get the most targets.

DeSean Jackson - The Packers secondary is good and will play against the big play. Jackson only seemed to score last season on big plays, he's not a red zone target.

Ryan Matthews - I don't trust a rookie running back in his first game, plus it's on the road.

Not Again! Bob Sanders Out For Year

Bob Sanders was the Defensive Player Of The Year just a few seasons ago, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy since. He is under-sized and is a very physical player, which may lead to some of his past injuries. There is no doubt that the Colts are a better team with Sanders in the lineup, but they have done well without this year, but will this injury lead to the Colts' defense being exposed?

It's been a long time since the Colts have had a great player in their secondary. Jeff Burris was a good player and Ray Buchanan had a few good seasons, but went on to the Falcons and had his career years. Bob Sanders was the first elite defensive back that I can remember the Colts having since they moved to Indianapolis. He hasn't stayed healthy since he signed his contract extension and it's possible if he can't stay on the field next year, he could see his way out of Indianapolis. The Colts no longer play the Tampa 2 and they have learned to play without him for most of the last few years. He is clearly a slow healer, unlike Dwight Freeney, who if he gets injured, seems to be back on the field the next week.

The Colts are currently undefeated, it's not uncommon really, over the last few years this has happened a few times. They go through the first-half of the year undefeated, then they start to play divisional opponents a second time and then usually a tough game against the Patriots or Steelers and lose a few games. Injuries usually start to add up and a team that goes 8-0 in the first half, ends up as a 12-4 team.

The injuries that I am most worried about are the injuries to Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden. Jackson injured his knee in practice for the second-straight season. He will miss the remainder of the season, an injury is that is similar to what occurred in 2008. Hayden will miss a few weeks with an injury, so he will miss the Patriots game. With these two guys out, they will have to start two rookie corners for the next few weeks. Tom Brady could be drooling by that time, since he has been known to go after rookie corners, but if he has two of them to carve up, it could be a long game for Indianapolis. Jacob Lacey and Jerraud Powers will be tested over the next few weeks.

I was worried about the Colts at the beginning of the year. Anthony Gonzalez suffered a knee injury in the first game and has yet to return. He had his knee scoped this week, so the timetable for his return may have been pushed back a few weeks. They have a nice young receiving corps and guys like Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie has stepped up in place of Gonzalez. He can afford to stay away and fully heal up, a luxury that members on the defense do not have.

The next few weeks will be a test for the Colts. They have two games against the red-hot Matt Schaub and the Texans, the Patriots, and the Ravens over the next four weeks. If they get past these four games, they only have the Broncos and Jets as possible teams to knock them out of the ranks of the unbeaten.

I don't think this team should worry about staying unbeaten, if they know anything, a loss in the regular season doesn't mean much, it looks like they will win the AFC South. A loss in the post-season will end their season, if they are going to have a bad game, they better have it in the regular season or another productive season will go up in flames.