“SLEEPERS” or INSOMNIACS?
Take the “sleepers” list in your magazines, rip them out, and throw them in the recycling bin. So many players are on so many sleeper lists that they’re no longer asleep. Here are examplesof players that may end up being drafted too high based on large amounts of “sleeper hype” for each position:
WIDE-EYED AND AMPED “SLEEPERS”
QB - Matt Schaub. He’s a great value proposition, but only if he’s taken in the right spot. Many people are now taking him in the same rounds as guys like Romo and McNabb. At that point, he no longer represents value.
RB - Pierre Thomas. Yes, he’s got lots of upside, but that doesn’t make him worthy of a 2nd (or even an early 3rd) round pick…especially in PPR leagues. I’ve seen Thomas go right after (or even before) the likes of Clinton Portis and Brandon Jacobs, which is a mistake. There is better value on the board at that point. I’d prefer to draft Pierre in a different tier with the likes of Ronnie Brown, Ryan Grant, and Kevin Smith.
WR - Donnie Avery. At one point, he was being taken right alongside more proven players like Lee Evans, Santana Moss and Laverneus Coles by owners desperate to grab a WR during a position run. Then again, now that he’s hurting, you can expect his stock to fall off enough to the point where he once again represents value. Even so, I’m not sure I’d buy.
TE - Greg Olsen. I’ve seen him go before Tony Gonzalez, which shocks me beyond words. I like Olsen, but I’m not going to draft him early for the simple fact that he’s a TE. IF you have 3 solid RBs…AND a good QB…and at least 2 very good WRs…THEN it’s time to start thinking TE. However, Olsen probably won’t be there…which is good for you because it means you got value at other, more important positions.
In my next update, I’ll give you five TRUE sleepers for 2009…at each position. Except kickers. Who cares about them, anyway?
DSB