NFL Football - Sleepers and Nightmares

Sleepers

Laurent Robinson-This is a risky pick and should be considered as one. Robinson has premier speed and quickness, is a decent route-runner, and has better size than the Ram’s other starter Donnie Avery. The downside is that he is injury prone and will be playing with a rookie QB and one of the league’s worst O-Lines. If the Rams are able to get anything resembling a real passing game this season, Robinson will be a major reason why.

Jacoby Jones-Jones has made his way on to almost every list as a fantasy sleeper this season and for good reason. Jones has a fantastic combination of size and speed and should be able to wrestle the second WR spot away from Kevin Walter. One reason I believe Jones will be so effective this season is that Matt Schaub has a serious chance to throw for 4,500 yards and 40 touchdowns, which would give any starting receiver an opportunity to have a great year.

Malcolm Floyd-Floyd is making it to the end of many drafts and in some cases not being drafted at all. With Vincent Jackson out for at least three games and his future with San Diego in question, Floyd will have plenty of opportunities to connect with Phillip Rivers during the 2010 season. Don’t expect him to catch 80+ balls but 1,000 yards is a real possibility.

Mike Williams (Seahawks)-I’ve told everyone that this guy was overrated since his glory days at USC so it might seem strange that I’m now on his bandwagon. The truth is that the Seahawks have very little to work with at the position and Williams is in a position to work with his former coach and establish himself as a starter. Williams never lacked talent, what he lacked was work ethic, professionalism, and NFL speed. His speed may not be much better, but the other two negatives appear to be behind him which could make Williams a player to watch this season.

Jabar Gaffney-Chemistry, chemistry, chemistry. It’s what Gaffney shares with starting Bronco QB Kyle Orton. Gaffney had a great finish to the 2009 season and appears to have carried last year’s finish into this season. This guy could be especially valuable in PPR leagues. Ignore the pre-draft ratings and grab Gaffney towards the end of your draft.

Nightmares

Larry Fitzgerald-No one is going to miss Kurt Warner like Larry Fitzgerald. The QB situation in AZ is approaching debacle status with Matt Leinart struggling to hold on to the starting job. Fitzgerald is still a top 5 WR, but asking for him to repeat the success of the last 2 years is asking too much.

Mike Sims-Walker-I hate to say this guy is overrated but let’s be honest, he struggled with injuries and inconsistency as the 2009 season wore on. He’s still the Jags best option this season but he is not a top 25 WR.

Braylon Edwards-Edwards has had more trouble with drops in the last two years than most would have ever imagined. He’s a big talented target, but the Jets have Dustin Keller who is a great young talent, Santonio Holmes who will serve as their primary deep target, and Jerricho Cotchery who will continue to be their slot man-Edwards may be the odd man out on this run-heavy team.

Percy Harvin-All the athleticism in the world won’t help Harvin if migraines continue to plague him this season. It doesn’t help that Harvin won’t be utilized much in the red-zone on a team featuring Adrian Peterson, Vinsante Shiancoe, Sidney Rice, and Toy Gerhardt.

Chad Ochocinco-The guy is a great personality, but let’s be honest, if he were a truly great receiver the Bengals wouldn’t have picked up T.O., A. Bryant, Jordan Shipley, and Jermaine Gresham I the off-season. I expect Chad to approach 1,000 yards and 5 or 6 TD’s but temper your expectations for him this year.