Sports Q&A: Fantasy Football Sleepers

Hector from Bristol, CT writes, "I'm a beginner to fantasy football. What advice can you give so to make myself appear like an expert? And who are some underrated picks at key positions?"

Want to look and sound like an expert? Then, wear a football jersey, show up with at least three fantasy magazines, and mention the word "value" several times at your draft. And, when it's your pick, have a representative dressed in coat and tie stand at the front of the room and announce "With the sixth pick in the draft..."

A phone also adds authenticity, as well. Not a cell phone, but a rotary phone, preferably a red one. Pick the phone up at random intervals and pretend you're talking to someone important. And boo unmercifully whenever your opponents make a pick. Don't drink coffee, drink beer. Lot's of it.

If you can show your opponents that you are confident in your picks even in a state of extreme inebriation, then you have intimidated them. And threats of physical violence will never hurt your case. If you really want to look like a pro, arrive at your draft wearing an orange jump suit and handcuffs, and draft all Cincinnati Bengals players.

As far as underrated picks, here is my assessment of this year's fantasy crop. Keep in mind, though, I'm not wearing a jersey, I haven't read any fantasy magazines, and I use the word “value” only when buying toilet paper in massive bulk quantities. However, I am fairly liquored up, which always seems to give me a sense of credibility.

Quarterbacks

Two quarterbacks with new teams immediately come to mind, Oakland's Aaron Brooks and Detroit's Jon Kitna. If Brooks can manage to thrown the ball downfield, and not backwards (as he's been known to do), he could have a big year. If a decent NFL quarterback like Brooks can't have a big year throwing to wide receivers Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, and Doug Gabriel, as well as running back Lamont Jordan, then he should be disposed of down a black hole. Brooks should have 25 touchdowns, and as many interceptions.

Like Brooks, Kitna has targets at the wide receiver position. Unfortunately for Kitna, only one of those targets, Roy Williams, can reliably catch the ball. Charles Rogers and Mike Williams have yet to even remotely live up to their No. 1 pick potential. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz loves himself and the pass, so Kitna will have opportunities to throw downfield. Kitna is under pressure, but only to outdo former Lion quarterback Joey Harrington. In other words, Kitna is under no pressure.

Tennessee quarterback Billy Volek may have much-hyped rookie Vince Young looking over his shoulder (actually, Young is tall enough to look over Volek's head), but Volek's passed the Wonderlic test. Until Volek gets hurt or plays horribly, he is a better-than-decent fantasy QB. He's got no superstars at receiver, but he does have Drew Bennett, Tyrone Calico (if he's healthy), and newcomer David Givens. Also, running back Chris Brown has the speed to take a short pass all the way.

Running Backs

Minnesota's Chester Taylor spent the last few years in the shadow of Jamal Lewis in Baltimore (only on the football field, not in a criminal sense). Taylor will be the No. 1 back in Minnesota, and should be productive assuming he stays focused and doesn't recreate on a charter boat with Fred Smoot. The Vikings signed All-Pro left guard Steve Hutchinson in the offseason, so, if nothing else, Taylor should be able to run left.

Saints running back Deuce McAllister may not seem like an underrated pick, but you know some clown will pick Reggie Bush way too early. Even if that clown doesn't pick Bush, McAllister is still a somewhat forgotten man. He's been injured in the last two seasons, so an injury-free season has to be on his mind. And, with Aaron Brooks in Oakland and the accurate Drew Brees at the helm, the Saints should have more possession time, which means more carries for McAllister, who is a solid workhorse when healthy.

Will Fred Taylor be the starter in Jacksonville? If he is, his backup is the underrated back. Is that backup Greg Jones or LaBrandon Toefield, or someone else? Jones filled in last year and posted decent numbers, and probably holds the backup role this year. Taylor will injure his knee. The question is: when?

Wide Receivers

With the departure of Brandon Lloyd, Antonio Bryant assumes the role of big-play wideout in San Francisco. Sure, it's a risky pick, but you'll be making it in the later rounds. What's really risky is picking Bryant with the knowledge that Alex Smith will be throwing to him, or at least trying to throw to him. But with the 49ers (4-12 last year) likely playing from behind often in 2006, Smith will be throwing, and Bryant should be the downfield target.

Was Michael Clayton's 2004 rookie year in Tampa a fluke? He came nowhere close to duplicating those numbers last year, but injuries played a role. Playing opposite burner Joey Galloway, who had a big 2005 season, a healthy Clayton could take advantage of double-teams on Galloway and produce.

In Baltimore, wide receiver Derrick Mason is reunited with quarterback Steve McNair. That's good news for Mason and the Ravens' passing game. The aging McNair will be more of a pocket passer now — he can't take the hits he used to. So McNair will throw more and Mason will be his No. 1 target.

Get Your Questions Answered!

Do you have a question or comment? Do you need a good kick in the pants? Are you down with OPP? Looking to cure that flesh-eating disease? Need a discreet steroid distributor? Then send your question/medical records/dilemna along with your name and hometown to [email protected]. You may get the answer you're looking for in the next column on Friday, August 4th.