The preliminary smack talk is over, and the real smack talk is starting.
The preseason has finally finished and meaningful games are now underway in the National Football League (NFL), and just in time.
Now, instead of just running your mouth about how good your fantasy team looks on paper, you can figure out how much of a draft genius you truly are, or realize you need to revamp your entire roster before you can even imagine being a playoff contender.
Leagues have already drafted at this point, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to discuss who the potential fantasy football sleepers of the NFL are in the 2010 campaign.
You may be able to make a trade for one of these guys early on in the season while their value is still low or undetermined, or you may just be lucky enough to find him sitting on waivers, waiting to be claimed.
Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans-Houston is not what you would call a running team, and in most cases, you should never really target one of their running backs. It seems like they have a new feature back each year, and by the end of that year, they go with another guy.
For the 2010 season, however, Arian Foster definitely is Coach Gary Gubiak’s option in the backfield. Since rookie back Ben Tate got injured, there just really aren’t any other options for handing the ball off to besides Steve Slaton.
Foster only played in six games last year, but averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored three times.
His stock has quickly risen and is no longer much of a secret, as he is owned in 100 percent of ESPN leagues. He also is expected to make his way onto Team Feingold’s starting roster by week three or four.
Look for him to do big things this season.
Mike Williams, WR, Tampa Bay-In a situation similar to Houston’s running game, the Buccaneers’ passing game is slim when it comes to options.
Besides Kellen Winslow, the only other receivers on the Bucs’ roster worth mentioning are second-year man Sammie Stroughter and rookie Arrelious Benn.
Veterans Michael Clayton and Reggie Brown both were recently released from the team, so quarterback Josh Freeman is going to target his three young receivers a lot this season, simply because there is nobody else to be a recipient.
Although Benn was a second round pick and Williams was a fourth rounder in this year’s draft, it has been said ever since the draft that Williams may impact the Bucs’ offense sooner than Benn does.
At 6 feet 2 inches tall and 212 pounds, Williams is the big, aggressive wide out that the Buccaneers offense has lacked since Keyshawn Johnson was in town.
Williams is available, as well-he is owned in approximately half of ESPN leagues.
Mike Williams, WR, Seattle– No, that’s not a typo. If you can remember a few years back, another Mike Williams, a wide receiver, was drafted and highly touted as having the potential to excel in the NFL.
Now on his fourth NFL roster, Mike Williams is once again trying to bring himself back to relevance. He has only caught 44 passes in 4 seasons, but for some reason, this year just feels different.
He is now a member of Pete Carroll’s team, who coached Williams in college at University of South California (USC).
TJ Houshmandzadeh is no longer in Seattle, and like the two players listed above, Williams will be targeted plenty this season because there is a lack of other players at his position on the roster.
I’m not saying he will win Comeback Player of the Year, but he could be worth giving a shot for a few weeks to see if he could become trade bait, or just give your team some more depth.
He is available in just under half of ESPN leagues.
Those are the three players I will focus on for this week.
For good measure, here are a few more potential sleepers that are worth a mention:
Mercedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville (32 receptions, 582 yards, 2 touchdowns in 2009).
Zach Miller, TE, Oakland (66 receptions, 805 yards, 3 scores last season).
Chris Chambers, WR, Kansas City (36 receptions for 608 yards and 4 touchdowns in 9 games with the Cheifs in ‘09).
Alex Smith, QB, San Fransisco (2350 pass yards and 18 touchdowns in 11 games last season). Aside from Miller, these players are available in a majority of ESPN leagues.
Whether or not these under-the-radar players will make a name for themselves in this fantasy football is unknown and won’t be determined until a handful of weeks into the regular season.
The 2010 season is sure to be one many pleasant suprises and devastating disappointments. However, that is the fun of the game.
Enjoy the start of the NFL season and good luck with your fantasy team.
Daniel Feingold can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.