2008 Fantasy Value Picks

Jared Smith
July 6, 2008
fantasyInsiderS.com

Sleep·er: - noun; something or someone that becomes unexpectedly successful or important after a period of being unnoticed, ignored, or considered unpromising.

Starting early in the fantasy football off-season the term "sleeper" gets thrown around and labeled to more players year after year that by the time draft day arrives, practically every owner in your league knows who the few sleepers are. They end up drafting those players too high and we usually watch them fail to produce. I prefer to use the term "value pick". "Value pick" players are players you should find in the later rounds that through other indirect actions should produce at a higher level then the previous year. Weather those factors include a new scheme on offense or perhaps a new coordinator, an upgrade at the offensive line position or simply an improved chemistry with a key teammate. We're all trying to find those players with the intangibles to manifest career years while on our roster.

Let's take a look at a few value picks for 2008.

Quarterback:

Marc Bulger, St. Louis: New offensive coordinator Al Saunders is in town now and should employ a more complex attacking scheme similar to the one Mike Martz ran several years ago. Bulger has had great success in this style offense and should excel quickly. You should also see Bulger checking down to Steven Jackson more this season keeping opposing defenses honest and allowing more yards after the catch to pad his stats. Should Bulger stay healthy and the offense line rebound from a dismal 07' performance you expect numbers we're all accustomed to seeing. Bulger should be considered a #1 fantasy quarterback and a high-mid round pick in most leagues.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay: Rodgers finally takes the keys to the high powered Green Bay offense this year and all signs point to a successful first season as the starter. The fourth-year pro has watched and learned from the best at his position for the last three years and is surrounded by talent on both sides of the ball. Running back Ryan Grant should force defenses to play the run opening up opposing secondary's to be exploited by wide receivers Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones. Should Rodgers maintain his health throughout 2008, you can expect a productive high end #2 fantasy quarterback or low end fantasy starter. Either way, Rodgers should provide ample value in the later rounds of most drafts.

Philip Rivers, San Diego: Rivers is coming off a devastating ACL surgery and should drop dramatically down most cheat sheets. All signs out of San Diego are that Rivers is far ahead of schedule and should suffer no ill effects in 2008. Besides, he played last season's AFC championship game with a torn ACL and performed excellent. He's a pocket passer and not mobile to begin with playing the 2nd easiest schedule in 2008. Rivers has had a full year under Norv Turner's offense and developed increased chemistry with his primary receiver Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson towards the end of 2007. All signs point to a career year for the Charger quarterback. Rivers should be considered an average #1 fantasy option or a high end #2 fantasy quarterback. He should be drafted in the mid to later rounds in most drafts.

 

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