Fantasy Forecast
Andy Silva
As the 2010 NFL season rapidly approaches, everyone is out to prove they're smarter, better prepared and more in the know than their fantasy opponents. Everybody out there wants to be one of the first on the bandwagon of the next big thing and first off it for the fallen superstar.
In this space this week I'll provide a list of potential sleepers who could help you bring home a title. Next week, I'll give you a look at some busts who could bring you nothing but fantasy pain. But now onto the players who you should keep in mind while in your drafts.
Dexter McCluster, WR/RB, Chiefs
McCluster is the Jason Heyward of the 2010 fantasy football season.
McCluster is listed by the Chiefs as a wide reciever, but will likely also find himself in the backfield some in new coordinator Charlie Weis' offense. McCluster notched 1,717 all-purpose yards as a senior at Ole Miss in 2009, good for the second-highest single season total in school history. In his collegiate career, McCluster caught 103 passes for 1,703 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,955 yards and scored 15 touchdowns on the ground. Even with his diminutive size (5-foot-8. 170 pounds, officially), McCluster figures to see plenty of playing time as a receiver/running back and may be used as a kick and punt returner, as well.
Even with the addition of Thomas Jones to the Chiefs' backfield and the emergence of Jamaal Charles last year, McCluster should get enough touches to make him a more valuable fantasy commodity than his average ESPN draft position of 145th overall.
Devin Aromashodu, WR, Bears
Aromashodu has been a popular sleeper pick, and with good reason.
The 6-foot-2, 201-pound receiver out of Auburn burst onto the fantasy scene in the final four weeks of last season, catching 22 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns. He has already seen the benefits of his stellar play at the end of the 2009 campaign, as Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has targeted him almost identically (77) as he has Devin Hester (76) and Johnny Knox (77) this preseason.
Bears wide receiver coach Darryl Drake has recently said that the Bears think they have three starters at wide receiver, showing the level of commitment to Aromashodu. Given the relatively lackluster production from Hester the last two seasons (57 catches/757 yards/3 TDs in 2009 and 51/665/3 in 2008), it's easy to envision a scenario in which Aromashodu and Knox push Hester aside and help power new offensive coordinator Mike Martz' highly-touted offense.
Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings
Berrian led the NFL in yards per reception two years ago at 20.1. He caught 71 balls for 951 yards and five touchdowns in 2007. Yet, in 2009 with the Vikes he only caught 55 passes for 618 yards and four touchdowns, taking a step back despite quarterback Brett Favre having the best season of his career.
However, the signs point to a revival in 2010. First, Sidney Rice will miss at least the first six weeks of the season after hip surgery landed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Meanwhile, 2009 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin has been plagued by migraine problems throughout training camp and the preseason and could see a drop in production as a result.
Berrian says he has recovered from hamstring injuries that limited him in 2009 and may prove to be Favre's most reliable target down the field. And you certainly could do much worse around his average Yahoo! draft position in the 12th round at 118.9 overall.
Matt Forte, RB, Bears
Forte enjoyed breakout success as a rookie in 2008, rushing for 1,238 yards and eight touchdowns to go along with 63 receptions for 477 yards and four receiving touchdowns. He was drafted as an elite back last year, but struggled throughout. Despite not missing any time due to injury, Forte rushed for just 929 yards and four touchdowns. However, he was suffering from nagging hamstring issues and a sprained MCL.
Forte has said this preseason that he feels more like his old self and that he has better breakaway speed. At the very least, the hate has gone far enough. Forte has been drafted, on average in Yahoo! leagues, in the ninth round as the 83rd pick overall.
Zach Miller, TE, Raiders
Miller is not on the Mount Rushmore of fantasy tight ends, but he has provided solid production.
Even with the less-than-stellar JaMarcus Russell as his quarterback, Miller caught 66 passes for 805 yards and three touchdowns in 2009. And that followed a 56 catch, 778 yard season in 2008. Reports out of the Bay Area have suggested that new quarterback Jason Campbell has seen Miller as a sort of security blanket, so I would expect the fourth-year player out of Arizona State to be a primary target. Campbell's injury in last week's third preseason game is not serious, according to Raiders coach Tom Cable, leaving me confident to believe that if you aren't able to snatch one of the top tight ends and if someone in your league has crazy love for Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, Miller is a guy you can leave the draft with and not have a pit in your stomach.
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Andy Silva writes the Fantasy Forecast column for The Salem News. You can read his blog at blogs.salemnews.com/fantasyforecast, and he can be reached at asilva@salemnews.com. You can follow Fantasy Forecast on Twitter at twitter.com/sn_fantasysport.
