by Michael Nazarek

 

Editor's Note: Below you will find a portion of our Fantasy Football Sleepers for 2011.  If you'd like to read about all 48 sleepers, please click HERE to order our 2011 Pre-Season Draft Guide.

Everyone knows about Aaron Rodgers, Arian Foster, and Andre Johnson. The top 50 players taken in most fantasy drafts will likely be the same group of players. What separates the men from the boys is knowing who will produce when they are not expected to produce. To this end, I will supply you with sleeper lists of players at each of the key fantasy positions. Consider each and weigh them against your league competition. I will list sleepers in three distinct categories… obvious, darkhorses, and long-shots. I have also offered my "deep sleeper" at each position.

For those of you wondering exactly what I said about RB Arian Foster (months before he became an elite fantasy STUD RB during the season) on these pages last JULY, read on…

RB Darkhorse Sleeper (Excerpt From 2010 Draft Guide)

Arian Foster (Houston) - He entered camp as the temp starter, but he might just start the season as the permanent starter after RB Ben Tate was lost for the season with a broken ankle and RB Steve Slaton fumbled at the goal. He's shifty and deceptively quick. As long as Foster continues to impress, he is an excellent drakhorse fantasy sleeper, a player whom has climbed into the middle rounds of most fantasy drafts this summer. Consider him as a nice #3/#4 fantasy RB with a lot of upside potential!

Below you will find PARTIAL analysis of some of the 48 2011 sleepers we offer with each player mentioned. As a reminder, this is only a portion of the players listed in each category.

QUARTERBACKS

The Obvious

Tony Romo (Dallas) - Why is Romo listed here? Some may forget just how good he has been despite the last half of last season. In the previous three seasons, Romo threw for 26, 26, and 36 TD passes (36 in 2007). In two of those seasons, he broke the 4,200-passing yard mark. And this summer, he's healthy and having his best training camp. Oh, and young WR Dez Bryant is primed for a breakout season. What's not to like here to target Romo in the 5th round of your 12-team fantasy draft?

Matt Ryan (Atlanta) - Ryan has thrown for more TDs in each successive season for as long as he's been in the NFL. Last year, that number was 28. The Falcons upgraded the #2 WR position by drafting rookie WR Julio Jones and ditching WR Michael Jenkins. TE Tony Gonzalez returns as does WR Roddy White, whom has emerged as an elite WR. Ryan could easily throw for more than 30 TDs in 2011 and you should be able tyo grab him in the 5-6 round area of yur fantasy draft. Not a bad choice, eh?

The Long-Shot

Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) - Sanchez improved his TD total from 12 to 17 for 2010 and the Jets plan to throw more in 2011. He gets WR Santonio Holmes back and adds WR Plaxico Burress and WR Derrick Mason to the list of targets. The Jets are primed for a Super Bowl run, which means they will be relyingupon Sanchez to develop more and get the job done. That qualifies him as a long-short fantasy sleeper in my book.

RUNNING BACKS

The Obvious

LeGarrette Blount (Tampa Bay) - This previously undrafted rookie blew up as a Buccaneer durig the last half of 2010. He ran over defenders and scored 6 times while rushing for 1,0007 yards, most of it over a 10-game span to end the season. Blount returns without RB Cadillac Williams to steal touches, but with the coaches' plans for more playing time on the field, including more on third downs as a pass-catcher. RB Earnest Graham is set to fill the backup RB and FB slots, giving Blount that much more action. If Blount does expand his game, the sky might be the limit in his case. That makes him an obvious sleeper and a good #2 fantasy RB!

Ryan Grant (Green Bay) - You could see this coming, eh? All the talk was about RB James Stark late last year, but Grant returned to health and is running as the starter in camp, looking very good. Yes, Starks will see some action and steal from Grant, but if he stays healthy, it will be Grant whose fantasy stock will rise, making him a nice obvious fantasy sleeper this summer.

The Darkhorse

Mike Tolbert (San Diego) - Watching the first preseason game showed me why I like Tolbert so much. He not only started the game, but also caught a pass in the flat and dove into the end zone for a score. Most importantly, he doesn't get hurt. The Chargers plan to use a 1-2 punch with Tolbert and RB Ryan Mathews, making Tolbert a very nice darkhorse fantasy sleeper, as he could score upwards of 10 times.

WIDE RECEIVERS

The Obvious

Percy Harvin (Minnesota) - Harvin showed up in fantastic shape this summer after the lockout and has worked hard to develop chemistry and get his timing down with new QB Donovan McNabb. As a result, he's become the clear #1 WR for the Vikings, a position that should get him enough targets to be a top 20 fantasy WR. Why is he a sleeper? Most fantasy owners still don't think much of him because of his migraines and the fact QB Brett Favre retired. Take advantage of that fact and draft him in the middle rounds of your draft like I did (FFWebMasters) and reap the rewards!

Mario Manningham (New York Giants) - Manningham is a talented receiver, but has suffered from the case of the dropsies here and there. He was the #3 WR for the Giants, that is until WR Steve Smith went down with a knee injury. Smith has signed with the Eagles, leaving Manningham as the clear #2 WR for a pass-happy team led by QB Eli Manning. Manningham could set career totals in both catches and scores in 2011 if he plays his cards right. What's not to like here?

The Darkhorse

Julio Jones ® (Atlanta) - Julio down by the school yard! The Falcons love my Bama boy, Julio! They love him so much they cut WR Michasel Jenkins and annointed him a starter and he's not disappointed. He runs precise routes and catches everything in sight. He's so impressive there's talk he could be the rookie of the year. Anyway, with QB Matt Ryan targeting him, the sky could almost be the limit if the two get off on the right foot.

Devin Hester (Chicago) - Hester is on this list due to a recent development where OC Mike Martz declared him the team's best receiver and anointed him as their starting flanker. As a result, Hester will see increased playing time at receiver instead of less time. His best season at wideout is around 700 receiving yards and 4 scores. In this offense as the #1 WR, Hester will top those totals, making him a nice darkhorse fantasy sleeper for the middle rounds of any fantasy draft.

The Long-Shot

Riley Cooper (Philadelphia) - Who will start for the Eagles if WR Jeremy Maclin can't play come week #1? His name is WR Riley Cooper. He caught a big pass from QB Michael Vick on Thursday night (preseason game #1) and is doing everything right, ensuring he can play well if he's needed in a bigger role. I know one thing is certain. If I draft Maclin this summer before we know more details about his illness, I will target Cooper just to cover my a$$. It's the smart thing to do!

TIGHT ENDS

The Obvious

Jimmy Graham (New Orleans) - This second-year tight end has inherited the starting job after the Saints booted TE Jeremy Shockey before the lockout. He's a big target and makes great catches, but does drop the occasional easy pass due to a lack of concentration. If he can overcome those types of gaffs, Graham could excel as a top 10 fantasy TE. One thing is certain. QB Drew Brees likes this kid and he won't hesitate to target him when the going gets tough.

The Darkhorse

Kevin Boss (Oakland) - Boss was expected to re-sign with the Giants, then the Raiders gave him a huge contract after they lost TE Zach Miller to the Seahawks. Boss caught 35 passes last season, and could double that number in the TE-friendly Raiders passing game. Provided QB Jason Campbell stays healthy, Boss will surprise and make his fantasy owners happy. Remember, Campbell targeted TE Chris Cooley early and often in Washington.

The Long-Shot

Ed Dickson (Baltimore) - With TE Todd Heap released, second-year TE Ed Dickson has the inside track to start for the Ravens in Heap's absence. But that doesn't mean the team will target Dickson like they did Heap. He's not as athletic, but there is potential here. It just may take a while for QB Joe Flacco to learn to trust Dickson, and that will only come if the youngster has some early success.