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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.
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.
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.
Shaun Alexander is a big question mark at this point entering the 2008 fantasy football season. He has no team as of yet, but as a former NFL MVP, should land somewhere. Where he ends up will dictate his value.
Right now, Alexander is worth a pick up due to the fact that there are a couple teams out there in need of a starting running back. Chicago is one that comes to mind immediately. If he ends up with a starting job in Chicago, he would be worth starting as a number two back with some upside potential.
Keep an eye on Alexander’s situation as your draft approaches, could be a risky pickup, but he could be a good find if he gets on the playing field this year. He’ll have a chip on his shoulder, with something to prove. If he lands in the right situation, he could produce, although probably not like a number one back.
The Chargers defense was top notch last season, and I see no reason for a drop off this year. They are my top ranked defense, and should be in the top five in fantasy points this season.
Defenses and kickers are two positions that have many different draft strategies to them. Kickers are tough, your top point getter usually changes every year. Defenses are similar, but you can count on some squads to put up good numbers, even if you can’t predict them to be number one. The flip side of this is that come the start of the season, you can usually pick up a good performing defense off waivers. If you are going to use a mid round pick on a defense, the Chargers are a safe bet.
Patrick Crayton’s value could depend on what happens with Terry Glenn and the Cowboys. Right now, Glenn is not participating with the team, but it sounds like they are going to work something out that will bring him back for the 2008 season. With Glenn on the field, Crayton’s value drops.
Crayton had a decent year last year, although he was inconsistent. Playing in the Cowboys high power offense will ensure Crayton of better numbers than some other wide receivers, but I would not count on him as an every week starter.
Pick up Crayton as a low end number three WR, or as a bye week replacement or insurance if you take Owens. He will have a few good games, and could surprise with a better than expected year. His ranking is falling as the Cowboys begin working things out with Glenn. Should Glenn not be on the field, Crayton’s value bumps up a bit. Keep an eye on what happens in Dallas, but don’t expect big things from Crayton this year.
Alge Crumpler is poised for a huge season this year, and could easily be a top five tight end, although he probably won’t be drafted as such in most leagues.
Crumpler has left Atlanta and is now the number one receiving option for Vince Young and the Titans. Add to that the fact that Young has shown a tendency to use his tight ends, although they have used a rotation in the past, and the fact that there is no clear cut number one wide-out and you have a situation where Crumpler could be the top receiver for the Titans.
The only issue I have with Crumpler is his knee. I think he will be ok, and after a terrible 2007 season, he should be hungry to come back strong. Crumpler is a great option at tight end this season, and you can probably wait to pick him up until late in the draft. If you don’t draft one of the top end studs, Crumpler has enough upside to be a strong sleeper playing in this Titans offense that wants to get Young throwing the ball more.
Kevin Curtis could be a very good value pick in this years 2008 fantasy football draft. Take a good long look at him, he is poised to have a solid season.
Last season, Curtis had a couple big games, with one monster game. I expect more consistent play out of him this season as he settles into the Eagles system and play calling. If McNabb stays healthy for the full season, look for Curtis to see the benefit.
The Eagles have been searching for a number one receiver for years. After parting ways with Owens, Curtis is the closest they have come to having that number one. He won’t be a top ten receiver, but should be good as a low end number two, or solid number three wide receiver. With that being said, I believe he has some good upside and will have him on my radar come draft day.
Jay Cutler has some potential coming into the 2008 fantasy football season, but I’m not convinced he’s the man you want anchoring your team at the quarterback position.
Cutler comes into this season with his diabetes under control, which could be a big positive for his performance. He plays for a Denver team that will put up some points this year, and you can count on the running game being there behind him. Lots of positives, I just don’t think he has the experience to keep it together for a full season, or the talent around him to put up top line fantasy numbers.
Add to the equation the problems his number one wide out is having, the departure of Walker and you have the makings for a very mediocre year. He should be a steady performer, with a couple good games, but I would not count on him as a starter if you’re looking to take home the gold in your league this year. There’s a lot of good quarterbacks to be had, if you want to take the risk on Cutler, make sure you carry two more quarterbacks with some upside to them as well.
Chris Chambers is a guy I’ve liked since he came into the league. He had a couple good years, but overall has been a fantasy letdown.
2008 may change that. He will be in his first full season with the Chargers, and they should have a pretty potent offense. The only issue I can see is he is not the number one or even number two option in this offense. With LT and Gates, Chambers and fellow wide-out Jackson take a back seat in the offense.
With that being said, the Chargers will throw the ball, and Chambers will get his share of receptions. I expect a decent year out of the guy, 75 catches, 900-1000 yards and a handful of touchdowns is about where he should end up. He does have some upside, however, and has the potential to put up bigger numbers in his new surroundings. I’ve thought that for years now, though, and will be hesitant to bump him up my draft day list to grab him.
Think of Chambers as an ok number two option, with some upside. Take a look his way as you get into the middle rounds of your fantasy draft.
