Top Ten Fantasy Football Sleepers for 2012: Pre-Camp Edition

When it comes to fantasy football draft night, everyone in every league knows who the prized possessions are.  Those coveted top five draft picks can make or break a season for some managers.

But every season, there are a handful of players who have breakout seasons, either by virtue of injury to a teammate, or just by the grace of a higher power.

So who will this season’s Ben Tate be?  Which backup quarterback will have to step in early in the season and take the league by storm?

Trying to decide which players are the top fantasy football sleepers, and which are just fool’s gold can be a daunting task.

Well, here are a few suggestions for “sleeper” picks, if you are stuck near the end of your draft, or you want some solid number on your bench for bye weeks.  This list will be re-visited after training camps have broken.

QUARTERBACKS

Jake Locker – Tennessee Titans:

Everyone will be clamoring for Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, et al.  But Locker is a guy who I think many will overlook this year.  By the time training camp is over, expect Locker to have a pretty good hold on the starter’s job, and at the very least he’ll take over early in the season from veteran Matt Hasselbeck.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills:

(Waiting for the laughter to die down)….Yes, I said Ryan Fitzpatrick.  There will be a lot of unexpected things coming from the Bills this season, and Fitzpatrick will be one of them.  I’m predicting a breakout season for the former Harvard Crimson, and he’ll have more than enough tools and talent around him to get it done.  If Fitzpatrick is available in your second round, I’d pick him up.

RUNNING BACKS

Robert Turbin – Seattle Seahawks:

Turbin will be a good pickup for a number of reasons.  First, he’s built like a Humvee, with the speed of a Porsche.  He will probably come out of camp as Marshawn Lynch‘s backup, and anyone who is backing up Lynch is probably going to get a fair number of reps.  He might not provide a ton of points in touchdown-leagues, but as a third back or flex option, he’d be perfect.

Isaac Redman – Pittsburgh Steelers:

Redman provided some good productivity for the Steelers late last season, and with Rashard Mendenhall coming back from an ACL tear, Redman will most likely be the primary running back in Pittsburgh at the beginning of the season. If Mendenhall is placed on the PUP list, then it’s really Redman’s job to lose.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Denarius Moore – Oakland Raiders:

There wont be a lot of good things coming out of Oakland this season, but Moore will be one of them.  He’s by far the best deep threat on that offense, and Carson Palmer (or whoever is taking snaps for the Raiders that week) will be looking to him for the big plays and deep touchdown passes.  Perfect flex option or injury/bye replacement.

Titus Young – Detroit Lions:

Megatron, aka: Calvin Johnson, is going to draw tons of double-teams and shut-down corners this season.  Nate Burleson had a career year in 2011, but I think you’ll see a let down from him this season.  Young showed a lot of promise last season, and will most likely get a lot more targets from Matthew Stafford in 2012.  He’ll be a great pickup in leagues that score heavy on yardage and receptions.

TIGHT ENDS

Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings:

Rudolph had some nice games in his rookie year, and could see more action this season.  With free-agent Visanthe Shiancoe opting not to return to the Vikings, Rudolph just needs to have a nice camp, and he’ll not only be the starting tight end, but he could end up being the number two receiver option behind Percy Harvin. Definitely someone to consider in at TE/WR flex spot during bye weeks.

Dallas Clark – Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

I know, it sounds weird listing Clark as a “sleeper”, but I think he’s going to get overlooked in a lot of fantasy drafts this year.  Clark may not put up the ridiculous numbers that he did while running routes for Peyton Manning, but he’ll definitely have an impact season in Tampa.  With a new head coach, and a fairly young quarterback and receiving corps, the Buccaneers will look to a veteran receiver like Clark to keep drives alive and get open in the red zone.

DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

Geno Hayes (LB) – Chicago Bears:

Hayes was at his best when he was featured in the Tampa-2 defense, and with the schemes that Chicago runs, he’ll have a chance to shine again.  He’s a player capable of 10 tackles or more a game, and has the ability to get to the quarterback as well.  Good solid defensive starter in any league.

Terrell Thomas (DB) – New York Giants:

Thomas has been medically cleared to return to football activities, and the Giants hope he’ll pick up right were he left off in 2010 when he had five interceptions and four forced fumbles.   If Thomas has the kind of training camp he’s capable of, he will start terrorizing offensive coordinators again and will be a valuable point-getter for fantasy defensive player spots.