Fantasy Football is an American past time. Well not really, but it’s getting so popular that almost every fan across the country participates in some sort of Fantasy Football league.
While your first and second round picks may end up being your best two players, it is usually the guys you draft in the 9th-16th rounds that separate your team from the rest. Everyone’s top two or three guys are productive, but it’s the manager that can find the best sleepers that usually win.
With that being said, here are the biggest Fantasy Football sleepers for each position.
Quarterback: Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles
2012 Stats: 2,362 passing yards/12 touchdowns/10 interceptions
2013 ESPN Fantasy Ranking: 16th ranked QB
There is no secret about it. Michael Vick struggled mightily in 2012. However, with Chip Kelly now running the Eagles, Vick could be in for a break out season. Kelly’s fast paced, misdirection style of offense seems to be tailored made for Vick. During his tenure at Oregon, Kelly has always had a very productive quarterback. Kelly even turned Marcus Mariota, an unknown QB prior to the 2012 season, into a Heisman candidate and a Heisman hopeful in 2013. Vick has looked good all preseason, and seems to have a grasp on Kelly’s system – at least what we’ve seen of it so far. If Vick can stay healthy, look for him to put up some great fantasy numbers in 2013.
Running Back: Vick Ballard – Indianapolis Colts
Vick Ballard
2012 Stats: 814 rushing yards/2 touchdowns
2013 ESPN Fantasy Ranking: 34th ranked RB
The Colts often shied away from the running game last season, but coach Chuck Pagano has said he wants to have a more balanced offense this year. What does that mean for Ballard? More carries and more opportunities with the ball in his hand. With Andrew Luck playing quarterback and the Colts arsenal of receivers, opposing defenses will have to think twice about putting 8 men in the box to stop the run.
Wide Receiver: Rueben Randle – New York Giants
Rueben Randle
2012 Stats: 19 receptions/298 yards/3 touchdowns
2013 ESPN Fantasy Ranking: 47th ranked WR
Randle enters the season as the Giants number three receiver, and as one of the biggest sleepers in fantasy football. Randle played sparingly during his rookie season, but has been extremely impressive thus far during training camp. The Giants top two receivers, Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, always seem to be hurt, and if they go down with injuries this season, it’ll be Randle’s time to shine. Randle is a big receiver (6’2″ 210 lbs) and wins a lot of jump ball situations. The Giants could use Randle a lot on the goal line this season, and he should be very productive for Big Blue.
Tight End: Tyler Eifert – Cincinnati Bengals
Tyler Eifert
2012 Stats: N/A
2013 ESPN Fantasy Ranking: 22nd ranked TE
The Bengals used their 2013 first round pick on Eifert, and have visions of him being a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. Eifert is big enough to play in the normal tight end spot, but he is also fast enough and big enough to play on the outside as well. With AJ Green drawing safety help to the sidelines on nearly every play, look for Eifert to destroy teams in the middle of the field. Eifert could end up being a top-10 fantasy tight end by the end of the year.
