Nate Burleson could be a bit of a sleeper this year.
No one has really stepped it up for Seattle, someone has to this year, it’s Holmgren’s last. They are going to put points on the board, and they are going to throw quite a bit. Burleson has that potential to step it up to the next level this year. Keep an eye on him in training camp, I like him coming into this season.
Derrick Mason will be an overlooked receiver in the draft this year. Keep an eye on him, he can be a useful bye week replacement, number three or even a low end number two receiver.
Mason has been around for years, but still catches the ball. He caught over 100 passes last season, and you can expect similar numbers this year. If he finds his way into the end zone a bit more often, he could be a huge pickup with a late middle round pick.
I’ve been seeing him projected as going around the 12th round. He’s a nice pickup at that point in the draft, be sure to keep him on your radar.
The Patriots defense is going to be solid again this season. They lost some key players in the secondary this off-season, but the Patriots have a knack for getting new players to fill those shoes. New England is going to have a chip on their shoulder after losing the Superbowl last year, I look for them to come out playing at a very high level from game one.
You should have a top five fantasy defense with the Patriots. They will get you consistent points week in and week out, and are worth a good look.
Matt Forte will be a hot sleeper pick this season, but not for me. The Bears just signed Kevin Jones, Ad Peterson will get some touches, I don’t know if Forte is going to be a 20 touch back this year.
The signing of Kevin Jones will either push Forte to step up and win the starting job, or it will usher in some kind of running back by committee approach. I like Forte, but I don’t know that he is going to be able to step in and be the man to shoulder the load for this team.
I see Forte as a 10-15 touch per game back, with some upside if he surprises. Draft him as a number three back, who has some upside. I don’t know that he has enough upside that I would draft in in the first five or six rounds, and I have a feeling that is where he goes by time draft day gets here. Keep an eye on the Bears running back situation, things could change.
Ad Peterson could be a sneaky little sleeper pick for the 2008 fantasy football season.
The Bears drafted Matt Forte in the draft, and cut Cedric Benson. Their intention is for Forte to start, and they have said they won’t be bringing in additional running backs. If that is the case, Peterson has a legitimate shot at being the starter this season, whether winning the job in training camp, or picking it up mid season.
Peterson was a decent runner for the Bears last year. I’m not sold on Forte in the NFL, and think the Bears should be bringing in additional help at the position. Keep an eye on Peterson, he should be a forgotten man in the draft, especially the early drafts. If he falls to the later rounds, pick him up. He’ll be on the field this season, only question is going to be how much. I think he will get some decent playing time, and if the starting nod comes down to either him or Forte, I can see him winning that job at some point.
Vernon Davis came into the league and was a fashionable sleeper pick, although he has yet to produce the way many thought he would. With the addition of Martz in San Francisco, that could change this season.
Davis has all the skills, and Martz has spoken highly of him this off-season. Martz will find a way to get him involved in the offense, but will the quarterback play allow for him to have a breakout year? That’s the concern, and that issue will ensure that he is not one of the first tight ends taken this season.
Davis could be a very good value pick, he should go somewhere in the middle rounds, and should also be a good starting option at the position. The huge upside is the potential for a breakout year, it is his third season, and the possibility that he joins the ranks of the elite players at his position. I see him with a 70 reception, 6 touchdown season with 800 yards or so. With a better offense around him, he would put up big numbers, but I don’t see the supporting cast around him that will allow him to reach that elite level this year.
Kevin Smith could be a nice pickup this season should he win the starting job in Detroit.
As of right now, Smith is competing with Bell for the starting job as the Lions running back. The winner of that job should put up some decent numbers with the Lions looking to get back to the run this season.
Consider Smith a strong sleeper this season, and keep an eye on how things play out in the Detroit back field leading up to the season. He is a bit under the radar, third round pick, but he has skills, and if given the opportunity, could impress. He should go in the later middle rounds of most drafts, and is worth a look. With running backs always at a premium, Smith brings the potential of a starting running back with a very favorable draft position.
Donte’ Stallworth has been bouncing around the past few years, but may have found a good situation in Cleveland.
Stallworth won’t be a number one wide receiver this year, but has the potential to be a low end number two or solid number three. The Browns offense will be high powered this season, and Stallworth should be the number two wide-out for them. With his speed, he has the ability to put up some big games, the big question is will he be consistent.
I think he will be more consistent than he has been the past few years. He played in a Patriot offense last year that had so many options that he was more of a situational receiver. He has the opportunity to flourish as the forgotten man in Cleveland, and should not see much, if any, double coverage. I like Stallworth this year, and think he will turn in a solid performance.
Tatum Bell has potential to be a starting running back come the 2008 fantasy season, but first he has to win the starting job in Detroit.
Keep a close eye on the running back situation in Detroit. They have Kevin Smith coming in this year, Tatum Bell who was brought in last year, and I wouldn’t rule out the signing of another running back before the season gets here.
Bell was brought in last season to fill in until Kevin Jones was able to go. Jones looks to be out of the picture for the time being, but Bell is not guaranteed the starting job. Keep an eye on him, the starting back for Detroit should be a decent option this year as they will look to run the ball more this season, but we could also be looking at a running back by committee this year. Right now, draft Bell as a flyer and hope he turns out to be the man for the Lions.
