Whaaaaaaa? Marion Barber might not be the only option in Dallas??? Go on ...
Winning your fantasy draft is easy. And free. Well actually, the free part is easier than the easy part, if that makes sense. (Why? Because you only need to hit up FleaFlicker and rock out all the free fantasy football you can find.)
But easy isn't hard, and before I actually start confusing myself, let's cut to the chase: there are tons of "sleeper" backs in fantasy football drafts this year. And, handily, they can be broken up into convenient little tiers.
Power Naps
Chester Taylor, Vikings -- I know, right? He's not even really a sleeper, just because he'll see tons of carries. But the fact, whether or not you choose to recognize it with your number one overall pick, is that Adrian Peterson hasn't finished a full season of football since he started getting money to play football. Or, if you prefer, since high school. If he goes down again, Taylor will be an absolute monster.
Ronnie Brown, Dolphins -- Brown just returned to practicing sans cast but all you hear out of Miami is "Ricky this, Ricky that," because everyone thinks Ricky Williams will start and carry the rock for the Fins. I'm not buying it, personally. Brown was a top-five running back on easily the worst team in the entire league -- one that should have been passing from the 10-minute mark of the first quarter based on deficits -- until he got injured. Sure, he might not dive right in and be a dominant back, but when he's your third or fourth running back, the upside is too good to pass up.
Sleepers on the Run
With rookie Felix Jones from Arkansas, the Cowboys may have found the ideal complement to Marion Barber in their powerful rushing game. The speedster will take some carries away from Barber, and could wind up being the steal of your draft if Barber's physical style results in injury.
Paul Spinelli, Getty Images
Vikings rusher Chester Taylor is the most valuable backup in fantasy football this season. He'll see limited work while slotted behind star Adrian Peterson, but if Peterson goes down again this year, Taylor will be a lock for a solid season.
Tom Dahlin, Getty Images
The hype machine on Miami's Ricky Williams is out of control, but don't forget about Ronnie Brown, pictured, who was a top-five running back before he suffered a season-ending injury last year. While Williams will likely get the larger workload to start the season, Brown's talent should shine through soon enough.
Tom Puskar, AP
Both Jonathan Stewart, pictured, and DeAngelo Williams have been impressive in the preseason, but at 235 pounds it's Stewart who packs more punch. Expect the rumbling rookie to get more goal-line carries than his backfield partner in Carolina.
Steve Dykes, Getty Images
Ray Rice impressed at Rutgers, and now he's in position to make an immediate impact in the NFL as well. Willis McGahee's surgically repaired knee may not be 100 percent for the first few games, which will allow Rice to see extra work for a Ravens squad that will need to rely on the run.
Drew Hallowell, Getty Images
Last year's college football rushing champ has a long way to go before he's mentioned in the same breath as Barry Sanders. But the unheralded Detroit rookie is climbing up draft boards now that he's solidified his starting role. With offensive coordinator Mike Martz no longer in the picture, expect the Lions to give the running game more attention.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
It seems the Texans still haven't decided who their starting running back will be. One thing is for sure, though -- Steve Slaton appears to be the only one who can stay healthy. The versatile back out of West Virginia could have big potential if he receives the majority of the carries.
Bill Baptist, Getty Images
Jonathan Stewart, Panthers -- Two things help him land in this group. First, a slow start to the preseason, his siiiick 50-yard touchdown rumble/sprint down the sideline against the Redskins notwithstanding. Secondly, DeAngelo Williams has been balling. Those two things have moved Stewart from a surefire fifth-rounder to someone you can pull in the seventh or eighth round. And while he will split carries with Williams to a degree, Stewart is the prototypical John Fox back behind a prototypical (well, close anyway) John Fox line. Big year.
Piled Up
Ray Rice, Ravens -- I haven't liked Willis McGahee for a while; really ever since he dissed on the ladies of Buffalo. (No, I can't explain my affinity for the city either.) And now McGahee, who was solid as hell last year, could miss some significant time. Since the Ravens employ both Kyle Boller and Troy Smith, they will run. And Rice knows how to do that, which is fortunate. I'd reach up and grab him around the 10th round of your draft.
Kevin Smith, Lions -- The former Central Florida unheralded superstar is climbing up draft boards with his preseason performance (and a total lack of any running game in Detroit). With Mike Martz no longer in the picture, the Lions will run more frequently and Smith will be the beneficiary. He'll be a starter and he doesn't cost much. That's the definition of sleeper.
Heavy Sedation
Felix Jones, Cowboys -- The "other guy" from Arkansas would be ranked higher on this list if Marion Barber wasn't such a straight up incumbent in Dallas. MB3 is going to see the bulk of the carries, of course, and he'll probably get the red zone action. Unless he gets hurt. Or Jerry Jones falls in love with his first-round speed demon and fellow Arkansan. Kidding on that last one. Kind of. Either way, Jones is a blazing fast back with a ton of upside, particularly in deeper leagues; if he gets significant touches, he could end up being a steal of a No. 2 back.
Steve Slaton, Texans -- Someone has to run the ball in Houston. And that someone appears to be, for the moment, Slaton. He defines electric and only got somewhat overshadowed his junior year at West Virginia because of Noel Devine. Now, you could argue that he fit well in the system and he won't be a good power back. I would not disagree. But he runs likes an antelope (run-run-run-run-run) and as long as Andre Johnson is healthy, the Texans passing game is gonna be sick. Plus, he can catch.
Top Six Running Backs
No. 6 - Frank Gore, 49ers
Gore was a huge double-threat that took a step back in perceived value, but it wasn't due to injury. Gore received little help from the Niners' passing game to balance the attack, so San Fran is turning the play calling over to fantasy-friendly coordinator Mike Martz this year.
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
No. 5 - Brian Westbrook, Eagles
There are questions every season about his ability to stay on the field, but Westbrook has proved doubters wrong by playing 15 games two years in a row. Last season was his biggest yet, with a whopping 2,104 yards from scrimmage.
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
No. 4 - Steven Jackson, Rams
Many fantasy owners felt the burn when Jackson went down for four weeks last season with a groin tear. When he returned to the field though, he was still the same offensive juggernaut. Last year's setback shouldn't scare you away.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
No. 3 - Joseph Addai, Colts
Now is where the variety seeps in. Addai didn't disappoint in his first season as the full-time back in Indianapolis, racking up 1,436 yards and 15 scores. But this season, expect him to top 300 carries and last year's totals as part of fantasy football's best offense.
Andy Lyons, Getty Images
No. 2 - Adrian Peterson, Vikings
He's got one year of the NFL under his belt, but he's already the consensus No. 2 pick. "Purple Jesus" put up 1,609 yards and 13 touchdowns in only 14 games last season, and should do even better in 2008.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images
No. 1 - LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
Seven straight seasons of at least 1,200 rushing yards, 350 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns place him a leap above the pile. He's known as "The Lock" in fantasy football circles for a reason.
Donald Miralle, Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-16-2008 @ 12:46PM
James said...
go cowboys!!!
Reply
9-16-2008 @ 12:46PM
James said...
go cowboys!!!
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 9:17PM
Jake said...
Uhhhh how about Darren McFadden ????
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 9:37PM
Lou said...
Well a sleeper is someone who most people dont expect much out of but then surprises everyone. Everyone knows McFadden is a beast and we kno what we'll get from him. So technically hes not a sleeper.
8-29-2008 @ 9:49PM
haha said...
this artical makes noo sence ... what the main point... whos ones top? whos better then who? is it by teams or players? or is it the players you want to make your own team...? please make more sence!!!
p.s i didnt even read this artical. :D................this was fun .. lol
love always
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 10:35PM
justin said...
mcfadden didn't look like a beast in the cotton bowl.............
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 11:12PM
kjoh1982 said...
Thank you Lou. Come on Jake do you know what a sleeper is? A guy that is projected as a starter that I think could still fall under the sleeper category is Forte. It could be tough for him with the bears qb and wr situation so he isn't being mentioned.
Reply
8-30-2008 @ 12:22AM
dude said...
slaton left his junior year, DA not his senior year how can anyone take adivice from this guy if he doesn't even now the players he is suggesting
Reply
8-30-2008 @ 2:10AM
Allen said...
I dont believe it says anywhere in this that Slaton left his senior year so maybe read next time. Says he was over shadow as a junior, which was last year.
Reply
8-30-2008 @ 4:08AM
shelli said...
i think id take a chance on rashard mendenhall. i like backs who they use at the goal line. i drafted barber yrs ago for that reason and had bettis for same reason. i think he will be good. he will be a sleeper for sure.
Reply
8-30-2008 @ 6:27AM
Chris said...
haha settle down big guy it doesnt say anything about him being a senior. I personally feel the same way with ronnie brown, I got him in one of the later rounds last year and he blew up before he got hurt. So i picked him up this year in one of the last rounds because no one wanted him. I hope he comes back healthy and strong. I like ricky williams but id rather have a winning fantasy team.
Reply
8-30-2008 @ 9:57AM
malik said...
hihi thay suck
Reply
8-31-2008 @ 6:52PM
Richard Jude Woerner said...
If after reading this article gives you the desire to play out these tips, try the Flea Flicker public league "First Year". The league allows for individual def. players to score also, plus a flex QB. So if you think you can handle a 25 man roster, and picking DB, DL and LB's, then give it a try, draft is at 10pm tonight, there are 8 open slots.
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