Looking for a handful of deep sleeper candidates as you head into 2012 fantasy football draft preparation mode?
This list of players are truly of the “deep sleeper” variety, so you won’t find big names, or obvious breakouts.
Enjoy, and don’t forget to comment below, and talk about these players, and more, on our fantasy football forums!
1. Isaiah Pead (RB-Rams)
Ok, you want bold? Second-round rookie runner Isaiah Pead will not only finish as the Rams’ leading rusher in 2012, he will finish so strong in 2012 he will be considered a top 25 overall player heading into 2013 fantasy football drafts. Clearly Pead is also pegged as a big-time dynasty sleeper of mine, but the upside is present for 2012 as well. Now, this is a bold prediction, keep that in mind, and certainly do not reach past Pead’s current ADP (12.08-13.08) in upcoming drafts… Instead, use his extremely-low ADP to your advantage and draft this kid with zero risk. Could Steven Jackson crank out one more relatively healthy season? Sure, and again, that’s why this is a bold prediction, but with all the miles on Jackson’s wheels, in both the passing and rushing games, it isn’t hard to imagine Jackson breaking down by mid-season, if not earlier. Talent is going to win out once Pead hits the field, and that Rams’ coaching staff won’t be able to keep the rookie off the field once he sniffs it. He reminds me a lot of a young LeSean McCoy, and numerous reports have surfaced recently suggesting that Jeff Fisher sees some “Chris Johnson” in the rusher — I agree. Get ready for the Isaiah Pead show – Get your tickets now and you will have front row seats to his breakout performance, as no one is fully buying into this kid — Yet! Go get him in dynasty leagues!
For more on Pead, read what we wrote about him in a FantasyPros-published Sleeper Article.
2. Tim Tebow (QB-NYJ)
With an ADP in the 13th-round, or later, what’s not to like about drafting Tim Tebow this year? Is he a lock to ever start for the Jets in 2012? Technically speaking, no, however, I say there is almost zero chance Mark Sanchez properly manages the pressures of having Tebow sitting behind him. Throw in the “Tim Tebow” cheers and chants, and the fact that Tebow will still see playing time (and could impress during that time), which means Tebow could unseat an even-decent playing Sanchez, as both will be seeing action… it really isn’t a matter of “if” Tebow cracks the line-up, it’s just a question of when. There are very few people out there that can suggest that they believe in Tim Tebow more than I do, as the proof is in this article I wrote back in last August, 2011, when Tebow was demoted to third-string over in Denver… What did Tebow do? He did exactly what I said he would do, he dominated as soon as he got his shot. Tebow is back in the same situation as he was last August… he is not the starter, he won’t have time to prepare as the team’s starter, and once his number is called, he will exceed expectations for a player with no off-season preparation as his team’s No. 1 (yet be judged as if he had an off-season to prepare as a starter). In a sense, last year was Tebow’s first season as an NFL QB… he played in a couple games in 2010 (and did well I might add), but 2011 was kind of his rookie season… what other rookie QBs, or first-time starting quarterbacks, excel at almost every turn during their first seasons under center? Not many. Newton, but not many! Why is Tebow not extended the same consideration that other young and still-developing passers are extended as they evolve through their first couple NFL campaigns? Vick wasn’t an extremely accurate passer right away. When is 6 fourth quarter comebacks and 7 game-winning drives on 14 career starts not enough? When is 5 fourth quarter come backs and 6 game-winning drives in 11 starts (in his only semi-full season) not enough? When is 7-3 as a starter, with a playoff win, not enough? Doubt Tebow again, I dare you. I just can’t wait to hear the excuses for why Tebow is thriving in New York… will be be the defense again? While so many will continue to doubt him in 2012, even when he is called to start, those of us who believe will enjoy watching him score fantasy points, the same kind of fantasy points he scored last season when he ran for 660 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs. Like I said, at 13th-round ADP, or later, what’s not to like?
The Rest
3. Jonathan Stewart (RB-CAR)
With an 8th-round ADP, it’s hard not to see the upside. On a dynasty note, keep in mind that this kid is only 25.
4. Jacquizz Rodgers (RB-ATL)
He is sitting behind a runner that is both slowing down, and not heavily relied upon in the passing game; Given Rodgers‘ receiving skills, and explosiveness, you could see him develop into a Darren Sproles type player in 2012!
5. Randall Cobb (WR-GB)
He could really emerge this season; there are enough targets to go around in Green Bay, and Cobb could turn into a strong fantasy WR3 in 2012!
6. Bilal Powell (RB-NYJ)
Greene can still develop, so Powell is no lock, hence why he is a sleeper candidate and not one of our breakout candidates. Just keep an eye on this kid, as Greene isn’t all that exciting, and some explosive play by Powell could change the Jets’ plans for dividing up workloads.
7. Peyton Hillis (RB-KC)
Hillis look good according to reports, and we loved him last year. Charles may deliver, but Hillis‘ is worth grabbing in 2012, even for that crafty non-Charles owner. If getting starter carries, I still firmly believe Hillis has top 10RB upside.
8. LaMichael James (RB-SF)
Gore is on the decline – James could be a monster sleeper come mid-season. It just might take him a while to get consistent touches.
9. Sam Bradford (QB-STL)
Bradford was our low-end QB1 breakout last year…. nothing has changed here!
10. Brandon Saine (RB-GB)
Probably the deepest sleeper on this list, Saine is worth a grab, as Starks could falter, and Saine is a quiet talent!
11. Kyle Rudolph (TE-MIN)
We hear nothing but good things coming out of Vikings’ camp!
12. Derrius Heyward-Bey (WR-OAK)
He may or may not get the targets, but if healthy, this could be his breakout season.
Talk about these players, and more, on our fantasy football forums!
Smitty,
I just re-uped on FFXtreme again this year…I’m looking forward to all your wisdom this year…keep it coming..
Can’t wait for your “Break-out” candidate article to come out
Thanx!
Glad to hear! Get ready for some of that, and a whole bunch of good stuff here as well. You will get flooded with info from all sides!
Thoughts on this list above, or any names you feel should be listed?
Smitty,
kind of liking David Wilson of NYG…they took him with last pick of 1st round….you have anything on him?
I think he has nice sleeper upside, sure. Good name to toss out! I think with Bradshaw’s long list of injuries, Ward could absolutely crack the line-up at some point in 2012.
How bad are Britts knees? You have him ranked so above the avg dynasty rank. Gotta understand why?
Well, whenever you tear your ACL, and other things such as meniscus, it’s tough to predict how the knee will respond. Will you have setbacks? Is the meniscus damage going to linger and will the knee continue to have issues? We don’t know any of that, but from everything I’ve read and heard, Britt’s knees are looking good.. it’s just his inability to focus and get his head straight that worries us. Only Britt can slow down Britt. The bottom line is this… his upside is INSANE, especially given that he is younger than A.J. Green. ACL tears for WRs is very different than it is for rushers. Britt can rebound from the knee issues, again, he just has to grow up. And as for our rankings, remember not to always draft a player where we rank them, as you have to draft off ADPs and not reach for players outside of their ADP range. Our ranking tells you where we think he will finish, which means if you grab him at his ADP, you ‘re looking at a potential steal. Why do I have Britt so high? To answer the question… talent. Sometimes it takes more than talent, so time will tell.
I’m so pumped about discovering this website!! Great information….Smitty are you now saying that you would draft Pead over Wilson if say he is available in a rookie draft at 1.06? Appreciate all the info!!!
according to his rookie rankings…yes he would. i hope he is right, i plan on taking his advice and grabbing pead with the 1.06 pick and then grabbing b.quick a few picks later, most other sites have quick well into the mid teens rookie wise, but i figure smitty knows a little bit more about this then i do, so in smitty we trust, right…
Toxic/Mclovin:
It’s close, Wilson looks sharp too. But for now, and things change fast with rooks, Pead by a hair! Glad you found us, Toxic!!