Here are a few of my list: Kevan Barlow (RB)- I know he is a first, or second rounder in many leagues, but I think he can be a top 2, or 3 player overall since he is all San Francisco has got on offense and has great catching abilities. Could be like Ladanian Tomlinson. Brandon Lloyd (WR)- The theory that someone has to catch the ball in San Francisco with Owens and Tai Streets gone, plus he seems to have the ability to run precise routes, jump over the moon, get open and catch the ball. Quincy Morgan (WR)- Coming off of a lousy year, I think the Cleveland wideout can jump back into the upper tier of receivers that he was a few years ago. Tony Hollings (RB)- I say Davis goes down early and Hollings picks up the slack and then some. Deshaun Stevenson (RB)- Stephen Davis will not last the year in Carolina and Stevenson has game-breaking ability. Jeremy Stevens (TE)- At some point he will break out for the Seahawks. The west coast offense makes the tight end a big part of their attack and with all of the weapons Seattle has Stevens' big-league talent could come out. Deion Branch (WR)- People say that the Patriots spread the ball around too much for fantasy success at the wideout. I say that Branch is already Brady's go-to reciever and that David Givens and Troy Brown are declining. Branch has mad game and will rack up a lot of yards. A great second, or third option at wideout. Tommy Maddox (QB)- The Steelers have a lot of weapons (Hines Ward, Burris, Antwan Randel-El) and Maddox has proven he can put up big numbers. I say that a return to a greater role for the running game will only help Maddox. He is off of the radar-screen for a lot of people, but I think he will put up better fantasy stats than the Jake Plummers and Jake Delhomme's of the league. Rich Gannon (QB)- Bounce-back year for the Raiders. His arm is evidentally looking stronger than ever which will help with Norv Turner's more vertical passing game. Jerry Porter will also benefit greatly at wide receiver. Comments? Additions to the list?
Barlow didn't prove much at all in his first two seasons, I'd be shocked if he put up anything near what LT or Priest do. Lloyd could be a legitmate threat as the season progresses. Deshawn Stevenson? Doesn't he have enough to do in the NBA without taking Stephen Davis' job?
Barlow will likely be a top 5 fantasy back this year. Rattay is hurt and they won't score a lot. Howeverm Barlow is very gifted and someone has to score. add Tatum Bell to the list. I like Giffrin, but he's likely to get hurt, and even if he doensn't he won't be a red zone back.
Lee Suggs. Injuries are a concern, but he was sick at the end of the year last year, and just rember how he had a nose for the endzone at Va Tech.
I like Barlow -- but comparing him to LT is a little much. Teams are going to put 8 in the box and force Rattay and the unproven WRs to beat them. I agree with you on Branch and Gannon. I don't think Gannon will produce like his MVP year, but he will be a solid backup or starter in biggers leagues. Porter is overrated. My players to look out for: Davis Carr (QB) -- stash him away on your bench for favorable matchups. Could have some big games. Chris Brown (RB) -- Don't know if he will put up a ton of TDs, but does have legitimate big play potential. Moe Williams (RB) -- He's not the "starter," but when you look up -- he puts up big points. He is the starter right now - Bennett is out for a couple of games (at the very least) and Smith could be out up to 4 games for drug suspension (pending appeal). Regardless, he will still ge the goal line carries and third downs -- He may be the poster child for undervalued. Justin McCareins (WR) -- Write it down! -- The hard worker will break out and will have more TDs than Santana Moss. May see single coverage. Andre Davis (WR) -- Knack for the end zone + Garcia = Big time production potential. Marty Booker (WR) -- He has always produced (when healthy). He produced when he was the man in Chicago and double teamed. Now he will see single coverage with Chambers getting most tof the attention. Miami will struggle, but Booker will have a great year. Jason Witten (TE) - No surprise here, he will be a star. Eric Johnson (TE) -- A former wide receiver with good hands and some speed; he should be available in most leagues. Lawrance Tynes (K) -- kicker for the Chiefs -- Andersen was cut and Tynes is now the man for a high power ofense. Not an earthshattering list, but we'll see if they pan out.
Justin Gage will have a good season if you want to apply the "someone has to catch the passes" theory. Also agree with Davis and Suggs, they should be studs. As for McCariens I think he will end up being a dud next to Santana much like Tai Streets and JJ Stokes were to Terrell Owens, he'll have a decent season but I can't see him having a huge year. Jerry Porter is not overrated, if he is healthy he is one of the more dominant WRs in the game, Doug Gabriel or Ronald Curry could also have breakout years and subplant Rice should he start to wear down. The Raiders offense could be dominant with the Offensive Line they have.
Someone in the same boat as Barlow is Thomas Jones from Chicago. Jones put up some solid games toward the end of last season and will be in an offense in the mode of the Kansas City Chiefs - The OC used to be QB Coach in KC. Jones has had less than a handful of 100 yard games in his career, but he can run and catch the ball out of the backfield. Put him in the Priest Holmes-role, and he should have a great year for himself.
Justin Gage is slated to be the third receiver behind Terrell and Wade -- but he could emerge, I guess. That's what all of the so called experts are saying. Porter -- He's not bad, but your comment that he could be one of the more "dominant" WRs is a little strong and exactly what I was talking about. For a guy that has one 100 yd. game in his career, he's got a ways to go to be a "dominant" receiver. I have a hard time calling a guy dominant when he's not even a top 10 WR. Randy Moss is dominant, TO has been dominant, Harrison . . . Porter? I agree with you that Gabriel and Curry could breakout -- I especially like Gabriel. Are you a Raiders fan? Just curious. Will Fargas get more than 10 carries a game? I hear Wheatley will get the goal line carries. Also, what do think about Jeff Garcia with the Browns?
I am a die hard Raiders fan, and the reason Porter hasn't had great statistical success yet is largely because he has been the 3rd option behind Rice and Brown until this season. He was slated to start opposite Rice last year but ended up injurying himself before the season started and by the time he was healthy there was a mess in the Raiders system. If you look at the 2002 season when Gannon threw for over 4500+ yards, Porter was a dominant factor especially around the red zone, he scored 12 TDs that season if you include the playoffs. I've watched him for 4 years now and I honestly believe he is ready to dominate. Fargas will be given his shot to shine this year, Wheatley will remain the starter, but Fargas will be given some carries between the 20s to try and break one. I wouldn't pick him up fantasy wise though because of that, unless he breaks off a huge TD run, I doubt he scores more than twice in the season. Wheatley should get the ball in the red zone, and Zack Crockett is the premier goal-line runner in the league.
i´m quite sure, you´re talking bout former ucla rb deshaun foster.... dashawn stevenson is afaik a former utah jazz shooting guard, who now plays for the magic and had some off-court problems, cause he dated a -18 year old chick.... ....as a carolina panther fan, i can tell you that "our" o-line is crappy, sure there are jordan gross (lt) and jeff mitchell (c), but all the other guys (matt willig, tuten reyes & tylski/fordham) are pretty average at best... they will cost our running game a lot of yards this season....
Funny that Q got no mention in a fantasy sleeper list other than suggesting his back-up (who is a sleeper if Q goes down). I love it. Picked him up in the 6th round in one of my leagues. And I'm a UT fan. But I remember Griffin ripping UT to shreds (6 TD's?). Put that behind Denver's line??? Well, I guess he's not a sleeper anymore.
I picked up Quentin in the 6th round of my draft as well. He saved my team last night. I ended up winning by 1 point!
Tyrone Calico: Big, fast, and playmaker. Only competition is a white guy. In a good offense to. Erron Kinney: Already has a td and he is in a tight end oriented offense.
