The 2007/2008 NFL campaign is about to kick off with the defending Superbowl chams, Indianapolis Colts taking on quite possibly the most explosive offence in the NFC (and arguably the NFL) in the New Orleans Saints. By now - most of you in the fantasy world have made their selections, and have been involved in drafts. Did you get those sleepers you had your eye on? Was it Vincent Jackson or Calvin Johnson? Or wait a minute - did you end up stealing Brandon Jackson in a mid to late rounds and brag to your friends and peers that you have a true sleeper? Hate to break it to you but, none of these players are sleepers for this year. In fact - the real sleepers of the campaign have gone un-drafted in a large majority of drafts. Mainly in expert leagues and those who do serious homework - have the following players been drafted. If your reading this - and have yet to see any of these players on the board in your drafts, do yourself a favour and pick them up. If you still have a draft coming up - take note. Do you want to end up with the Marques Colston of this year? Who doesn't... I can't promise you that they will have that big of an impact - but i can tell you that the stars aren't that far apart to be in line.
Robert Meachem: WR, New Orleans
Meachem was a standout last year where he caught 11td's and 1300 yards at the University of Tennessee. He joins a Saints offence where 4 different wr's in 2006 caught more than 650 yards and where long time Saint Wide Out Joe Horn has departed. He has past Henderson in the depth chart and has become the teams number 2 man. There is every reason to believe that he will pick up where he left off in college. Most defences will be double teaming Colston which will free up the speedy rookie for single coverage. He's not only fast but a big target for passing friendly Drew Brees to hit. He is worth a keeping your eye on and drafting in the mid to late rounds on draft day.
James Jones: WR, Green Bay
Brandon Jackson is rightly the rookie that everyone is drafting, but James Jones is slated to steal the show. As a senior last year at San Jose State, he caught just under 1000 yards and 10 td's. He joins a GB team led by Father Time (who can still throw a football harder and longer then the majority of QB's), Donald Driver and company. Favre like every preseason before this - has been boasting about the talent he has around him and has stated that he doesn't recall such a talented bunch of players around him (heard this before - actually heard this last year). More to the point - Favre loves to throw the ball, and fantasy owners love to have the players he's throwing to. James Jones is currently the number 3 man right now. Give it a few games and probably till week 4 where Driver gets injured to start seeing the impact that Jones should have this year. He is fast and has great hands. He has had a great preseason, and if he gains Favre's trust - he potentially could have a good impact this season. He is a player to keep an eye on for sure.
Demetrius Williams: WR, Baltimore
He may not be a rookie, but this second year player from Oregon is slated for big things this year. At the end of last season, he emerged as "the" big-play guy for the Ravens. Those who had him last year in the playoffs know that he caught td's of 75 and 30 yards respectively in back to back weeks. He is set to line up opposite Mark Clayton as the number 2 man. Both Air McNair and back up qb Kyle Boller have a great rapport with him. So expect good things from this Wide Out.
Kellen Clemens: QB, Jets
Chad Pennington's current back up and the future starting QB for the NY Jets - Clemens, a former Oregon Duck has had an incredible pre-season leading up to this week. The Jets organization and it's fans are giving Pennington this year (actually probably until week 6) to get the ball rolling, if not expect to see Clemens start taking a few snaps. It can and most likely be a similar scenario as what we saw last year in Denver with Cutler and Plummer. He is someone worth keeping an eye on and drafting in the later rounds as a true sleeper and keeper pick.
Truly,
Your Sport Advisor - JCF |
