Every knowledgeable fantasy owner knows the significance of a sleeper. Those overlooked players who make the difference throughout the season and into the playoffs. Here is a list of five talents to watch as the season gets started.
Kevin Boss – NY Giants: During the second half of ’08, Boss became a reliable target for Eli Manning, especially in the red zone. He scored four of his six touchdowns after Nov.1 and was Eli’s go-to guy. With unproven wide receivers, expect a sustained effort throughout ’09.
Miles Austin - Dallas: This unproven wide receiver is cited by Jerry Jones as one reason why the team felt comfortable in cutting Terrell Owens in the off-season. While Austin will likely be the third option in Dallas’s high octane offense, there should be plenty of balls to go around and that makes him a valuable fantasy sleeper.
Carson Palmer – Cincinnati: With the elbow injury that kept him on the sideline in ‘08, it seems obvious that no fantasy owner feels comfortable drafting him as their starting quarterback. In ’09, he is healthy and has something to prove. The team lost T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the offseason but was able to acquire a veteran wide out in Laveranues Coles. Assuming Palmer is able to stay on the field, Cincinnati should have a productive year on the offensive side of the ball.
Earl Bennett – Chicago: He didn’t catch a single pass in his rookie year, but with the acquisition of Jay Cutler, Bennett is somebody to keep your eye on. In ’05, Cutler connected with Bennett 79 times for nine touchdowns at Vanderbilt.
Fred Jackson – Buffalo: He can do more for your team than just be a three game replacement for the suspended Marshawn Lynch. Coming off last year’s season finale against the Patriots in which he ran for 136 yards, watch out for Jackson to supplant Lynch as the starter if he has a solid three game start to ’09.
Bryan Fontaine
Brandon LaClair
Scott Schnorrbusch
Andy Miley
