Monday, August 4th 2002

Fantasy Sleepers It's reaching frenzy proportions in the fantasy football world, as draft day comes ever so closer. As my contribution to the masses and legions that love fantasy, I'll toss out my sleepers for 2002 herewith. Quarterbacks My sleepers aren't guys you take in the first round. QB is a position that is easy to fill anyway down the line and here are four guys who should last late. Steve McNair - lost in the gloom of Tennessee's poor season was that McNair started showing off his "Air" moniker more and WR Mason became a viable big play threat (more on that later). With Eddie George supposedly back strong, this could be a huge year for Steve. Brad Johnson - yes, he kind of stunk last year, but he was hampered by a bad offensive scheme, which should be duly corrected by Monsieur Gruden. That and the fact they finally got a #2 receiver in Keenan McCardell to go along with Keyshawn means the Bucs should be scoring points in 2002. Johnson is generally very efficient in the right program. Jake Plummer - whoa! hard to think of a team that got a worse deal in realignment than Arizona. Instead of being in the weak NFC East they get stuck with the Rams, 49ers and Seahawks. Could easily be 0-6 in division, but should be playing catch-up a lot which means Plummer will be throwing for yards and some scores. Running game very iffy but anything there will actually help Plummer's numbers. Mark Brunell - Brunell is always a respectable fantasy QB and with Fred Taylor back it should allow for more flexibility in the passing game. Of course, if Jimmy Smith doesn't get signed soon you must downgrade Mark's chances. Running Backs Running backs go fast and furious in most leagues so grab 'em early and keep it going by getting some of the sleepers: Edgerrin James - I'm a believer! Edge will be back strong. Many guys debated whether to take him or Faulk with the #1 pick not so long ago. Colts back on track in 2002. 2nd round pick? you bet! Fred Taylor - Yes, he is always hurt and isn't likely to give you a full season, but when he's playing he is about as good as anyone. Even if he only gives you eight games, they will be eight strong games. 3rd round pick? If he's there! Lamar Smith - remember him? went from playoff hero two years ago to "must be replaced" after 2001 season. Still, someone's got to get the yards in Carolina and it may as well be him. Won't challenge the top guns, but not a bad pickup. Travis Henry - Buffalo's offense will be much better without Rob "sack" Johnson. That means the ground game should go too, and Henry is the guy who will benefit. James Stewart - Lions will be better than 2-14 season a year ago and Stewart is a tough back when things are halfway decent. Could post big numbers. Wide Receivers Simple math tells you there are 31 starting QB's, 31 starting RB's, but 62 starting WR's which means you have a lot of guys to choose between in the typical 10-14 team league. Derrick Mason - Had a breakout year last season and should blossom even more this year. He's fast and the primary target for McNair. Big upside. Moulds/Price - either of these guys is a bargain. Bills offense will be much better I reckon. J.J. Stokes - 49ers looked to him often in red zone and with Owens getting even more attention than usual, JJ should pickup a lot of the other chances that get spread round. Darnay Scott - Bengals passing game has been so horrible for so long that people have forgotten how much this guy used to scare defenses. He may have lost a little something but look for a comeback season. Keyshawn Johnson - hard to call him a sleeper since everyone has him high anyway, but KJ led all wr's in opportunity points last year, just couldn't deliver. With a new offense, a #2 receiver and a year under the belt with Brad Johnson it should be paydirt. Tight Ends The most ignored position by fantasy players can be quite important. Only one team gets Gonzalez (and maybe not anyone this season) meaning you have to dig a little deeper. David Sloan - always produces and new surroundings make him a go-to guy. Freddie Jones - Chargers under-utilized him in 2001, but he may shine again Wesley Walls - former powerhouse has seen his stock drop. Panthers will look to him to make the clutch catches and so should you. I'll feature my busts of the year in an upcoming column. tim@twominutewarning.com Return to TwoMinuteWarning.com