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NFL fantasy football: 10 deep sleepers to target

Draft kit | Sleepers | Busts | Breakouts | Bargains | Strategies

 

 

Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins: Tannehill didn't have an impressive rookie season compared to the likes of Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson, but he did show some flashes of potential. He should be better in the stat sheets in 2013, as Tannehill now has new additions like Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and Dustin Keller at his disposal in the pass attack. With such an improved arsenal, Tannehill will be in a spot to make some statistical strides in 2013.

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Andre Brown, RB, New York Giants: Brown came out of nowhere to make a fantasy impact in 2012, scoring eight or more fantasy points seven times before suffering a broken left fibula. The veteran will now share time with David Wilson in the Giants backfield, but Brown is the favorite to see short-yardage and goal line work - he's even set a goal of 22 rushing touchdowns. While that might not be realistic, Brown will be worth a late-round look in all drafts.

Johnathan Franklin, RB, Green Bay Packers: A fourth-round selection out of U.C.L.A., Franklin drew rave reviews from a lot of NFL draft experts and will no doubt compete for a role in the Packers backfield. So while fellow rookie Eddie Lacy is considered the favorite to start ahead him, the former Bruins standout isn't going to roll over without some competition in training camp. Lacy has also had his share of injuries, making Franklin even more attractive as a late-round pick.

Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders: We all know that Darren McFadden is the Raiders running back to target in fantasy drafts. We also know that he's going to get hurt at some point - he's never played a full 16 games at the NFL level. Enter Murray, who will compete for the right to back up McFadden during training camp. If he can earn that role ahead of Rashad Jennings, who was unimpressive for the Jaguars last season, then Murray will be a legitimate handcuff in drafts.

Vincent Brown, WR, San Diego Chargers: Brown missed the entire 2012 season due to a broken left ankle, but he's fully expected to be back in action in time for training camp. A great route runner who will no doubt be in the plans of new coach Mike McCoy, Brown will have a chance to push Malcom Floyd for the right to start opposite Danario Alexander. The San Diego State product will be a solid target for owners in the late rounds, even after the addition of rookie Keenan Allen.

Aaron Dobson, WR, New England Patriots: The Patriots have a lot of question marks at the wide receiver spot behind Danny Amendola, and even he's been prone to injuries. With no solid No. 2 wide receiver entering training camp, Dobson has just as good a shot as anyone to earn a prominent role in the team's pass attack. It also doesn't hurt that he has a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback in Tom Brady throwing him the football. That makes the rookie well worth a late flier.

Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals: Floyd didn't make much noise as a rookie, and the poor trend of offensive skill position players drafted out of Notre Dame makes me a bit concerned. However, it's hard to look past the fact that the Cardinals now have an offensive-minded coach in Bruce Arians and a quarterback in Carson Palmer who can still sling the ball even at the age of 33. That, along with his own talent, make Floyd worth a late-round look in all drafts for 2013.

With Danny Woodhead gone, Shane Vereen should see a big role for the New England Patriots.
With Danny Woodhead gone, Shane Vereen should see a big role for the New England Patriots. (Damian Strohmeyer/Associated Press)

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Sanders, a third-year wide receiver our of S.M.U., will open training camp as the favorite to start opposite Antonio Brown this season. He's coming off a season that saw him post career bests in receptions, yards and yards per catch, and the absence of Mike Wallace will mean a greater number of targets is imminent. In an offense that will throw the football under coordinator Todd Haley, Sanders has value in the later rounds this season.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: Sanu started to get hot toward the end of his rookie season, scoring four touchdowns in three games before suffering a foot ailment that cost him most of his final five weeks. The Rutgers product will be back in plenty of time for the start of training camp, though, and he'll be in a great position to battle for a starting role opposite A.J. Green. Sanu will be worth a late-round look in drafts, especially if he earns a prominent role.

Jordan Cameron, TE, Cleveland Browns: A third-year tight end out of Southern California, Cameron is an athletic player with loads of statistical upside. As long as he can secure a starting role ahead of Kellen Davis, who isn't that much of a pass catcher, Cameron will be a player to have on your fantasy radar. He'll be in a good spot to succeed in the stat sheets for new coach Rob Chudzinski, whose offense turned Greg Olsen into a top-10 fantasy tight end in Carolina in 2013.

Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to @Michael_Fabiano or send a question via Facebook!

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