 |
| Doug Pensinger / Getty Images |
| Can Broncos QB Kyle Orton be a fantasy sleeper this season? One expert expects Cutler-like numbers. |
| Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen and Saints RB Pierre Thomas were two players who emerged from nowhere to be legitimate fantasy options in 2008. But who are going to be this year's hidden gems? I posed the question to our fantasy experts Michael Fabiano and Craig Ellenport in NFL.com's Instant Debate. |
 Michael Fabiano (11:11:53 AM): This is so tough to predict -- both of those guys ended up emerging because of injuries. |
 Adam Rank (11:11:59 AM): Yeah, that's why we are doing this, Mike. |
| Michael Fabiano (11:12:01 AM): I really like Matt Ryan this season. And I'd watch out for Jets RB Shonn Greene. |
 Craig Ellenport (11:12:50 AM): Can I predict that Tyler Thigpen will be the next Tyler Thigpen? |
| Michael Fabiano (11:13:20 AM): Well, I do think Matt Cassel will be this season's Derek Anderson! A bust waiting to happen. |
| Craig Ellenport (11:13:50 AM): Matt Cassel does nothing for me. I'm not sure Thigpen will beat him out or take over when Cassel gets injured, but bottom line is that he might be better for the Chiefs. |
| Adam Rank (11:14:29 AM): Josh McDaniels was willing to ruin his team for Cassel, who now has Dwayne Bowe. Todd Haley looks like the best of the new coaches to me. I'm comfortable with Cassel. |
| Craig Ellenport (11:15:07 AM): Speaking of McDaniels, not that he intended this but I think he's got a sleeper in Kyle Orton. Always liked him. Not that he'll put up Cutler-like numbers, but he'll be solid. |
| Michael Fabiano (10:57:38 AM): Yeah, I love Orton -- he's in a contract year too. I wouldn't be shocked if he has close to the same numbers of TDs as Cutler. Dare I say more? |
| Adam Rank (10:58:00 AM): Are there any other quarterbacks out there who you think could make a good sleeper type of candidate? |
| Michael Fabiano (10:58:32 AM): I think Trent Edwards is a nice sleeper too ... if Terrell Owens doesn't mess it up. Matt Ryan is my breakout candidate. |
| Craig Ellenport (10:58:40 AM): I agree Ryan will have a big year. But I guess I'll stick with Thigpen for sleeper. |
| Adam Rank (10:59:12 AM): Does Cassel count as a sleeper? You guys seem to be hating on him an awful lot. He could have a big year in Kansas City. |
| Michael Fabiano (10:59:29 AM): He was a sleeper last year. |
| Adam Rank (10:59:51 AM): So was Thigpen. So was Orton, who started last year. Hell, the Broncos gave up Jay Cutler to get him. |
| Craig Ellenport (11:00:03 AM): I'll take Daunte Culpepper. |
| Adam Rank (11:00:22 AM): Wow. Bold pick. You probably won't let me take Carson Palmer, either, so I'll go with Colt Brennan. How about some running back sleepers. |
| Michael Fabiano (11:00:28 AM): I really like Felix Jones for the Cowboys. |
| Craig Ellenport (11:02:35 AM): Won't Tashard Choice get enough carries in Dallas to make it tough for Felix Jones to post big numbers, regardless of Marion Barber's presence? |
| Michael Fabiano(11:02:45 AM): I don't think so, he is ridiculously talented. |
| Craig Ellenport (11:03:03 AM): As far as guys coming out of nowhere, how about Jamaal Charles in K.C.? I loved him coming out of Texas and he showed flashes last year. No guarantee that Larry Johnson returns to form. |
| Adam Rank (11:04:01 AM): Great call. Any rookie running backs out there? Knowshon Moreno is obvious, anybody after that? |
| Michael Fabiano (11:04:15 AM): Moreno is going to be solid as a rookie, but if Brian Westbrook goes down, LeSean McCoy might be okay. |
| Craig Ellenport (11:04:17 AM): Problem with McCoy is that even if (when) Westbrook goes down, Andy Reid's offense will not make it easy for a RB to succeed. If Donald Brown were in Arizona, I'd say him. Not sure he'll be relied on as heavily with the Colts, but I think he's awesome. |
| Michael Fabiano (11:04:46 AM): Yeah, he's a good back, but I think Joseph Addai rushes for 1,000 yards this year. |
 Adam Rank (11:05:20 AM): Fabiano, I'm disappointed that you didn't say Chargers rookie Gartrell Johnson, given your disdain for L.T. But give us some good sleeper receivers. |
| Craig Ellenport (11:05:43 AM): Maybe Ted Ginn. He will be the No. 1 guy in Miami, and he improved greatly from his rookie season to last year. |
| Michael Fabiano (11:06:20 AM): Anthony Gonzalez. He will be the starter in Indianapolis and can be a 1,000-yard guy. |
| Craig Ellenport (11:05:43 AM): I was disappointed in his sophomore season in Indianapolis, but he could come through. |
| Adam Rank (11:06:20 AM): Speaking of second-year guys, I like Donnie Avery, someone I know both of you like. Somebody has to be the No. 1 guy in St. Louis. So how about the readers? Give us some of your best sleepers. |
View all comments >>