Hello fantasy footballers, let me introduce myself. My name is Martin E. Brooks aka The Sleeper. If you love to play fantasy football as much as I do then you already know that getting the most value for each pick of the 2011 draft is very important. Last year we witnessed value all over the place. While your opponents are overpaying for Roddy White and Gregg Jennings you can slip in and pick up Austin Collie and Jordy Nelson in later rounds without loosing round 1 value. Here is some old and new talent (buy low and sell high) to keep your eyes on for the 2011 season. It’s all about value baby.
NOTE: DUE TO TEAM TRADES THIS COULD CHANGE.
Marshawn Lynch – Who can ever forget that run he did against the Saints defense in the 2010 playoffs. This guy has the potential to become a fantasy football beast in 2011. Hopefully that run against the Saints opened his eyes and maybe even resurrected his career. He gets the all goal line looks as well as the majority of the teams carries, so the opportunity is there. He tends to start off slow but when he gets going you’re going to enjoy the payoff. (NOTE: Averaged 14 points per game the last 4 games of the season.) DRAFT HINT: As soon as Felix Jones and Cedric Benson come off the board you should be getting ready to activate him.
Jerome Simpson - The Bengals should put either T.O. or Ochocinco or both of them up on the trading block. If they can talk Carson Palmer into returning for another season Mr. Simpson will be GOLD! He’s not the quickest but his route running ability is excellent. Once one of the mouths is released Mr. Simpson will shine in 2011. (NOTE: In his first start he put up 124/2) DRAFT HINT: No one should touch him in the 2011draft unless your opponent has also read this article, lol.
Anthony Dixon – He’s the number one back up to Frank Gore. The team’s plans are not to bring back Westbrook so Mr. Dixon’s stock just went through the roof. Gore has not completed a full season for quite some time now. So the issue is not IF but WHEN Gore gets hurt Dixon will be a RB1 immediately. AD can not only run effectively he can catch passes out of the backfield with the best of them. DRAFT HINT: In the later rounds when everyone is scrambling for a pick sneak in and scoop up Dixon.
Austin Collie – If he can stay healthy ALL year he should lead the league in fantasy points at WR in 2011. The middle is unstoppable for defenses. You can’t guard it. You can only hit the receiver so hard that he thinks twice about catching the ball or injure him. That’s the only way to defend the middle. Austin Collie aka Suicide Bomber is the best in the NFL at catching passes over the middle. (NOTE: Averaged 20+ in his first 3 games) DRAFT HINT: He will produce high numbers for a 4th-5th round pick. While everyone else breaks their necks for Calvin and Andre Johnson or Roddy White in the early rounds just sit back and focus on your RB1 and then pick up Collie. MY BEST VALUE PLAYER FOR 2011.
Jordy Nelson – This guy was targeted quickly and often during NFL’s highest stage, the super bowl. With Donald Driver’s age coming into play and James Jones FA status this leads only to BIG THINGS from this guy. Aaron Rodgers loves this guy (so why not you) and I am sure that during this off season a lot of plays will continue to be developed for Austin Collie’s little brother. Money is made over the middle and with Greg Jennings manning the outside Jordy will flourish over the middle next year in this pass first offense. (NOTE: He put up 140/1 in the super bowl) DRAFT HINT: When everyone has run out of talent BOLDLY pick up Nelson. He will stay on the board very long being overlooked round after round. POUNCE when ready!
Jahvid Best – The first three games of the 2010 was all about the rookie Jahvid Best. Then he hurt his toe and he seemed to disappear. His rehab has been going well and Best should start the season off with a blaze again. A healthy Stafford and Calvin Johnson makes him even more of a double edge weapon. Honestly if the Lions do not make the playoffs this year I will be shocked. 2011 should be good to Best and you will have him on your roster while your opponents squirm to try and find him. (NOTE: He averaged 30 points in his first two starts) DRAFT HINT: While everyone else fights over Matt Forte or Ryan Matthews you wait on Jahvid Best.
Chris (Beanie) Wells – This is the year for him to take care of business. Last year he had injuries that held him back. Hightower is also a FA so BIG THINGS could happen. Beanie has everything needed to finish in the top 10 in fantasy RB’s this year. He also has the easiest schedule for any RB this year. This should be the year he finally reaches top numbers in fantasy play. DRAFT HINT: When you see RB’s starting to get slim pick up Beanie because he should be there.
Jared Cook – This guy started to take over at the end of the 2010 season. The only concern is which QB will be throwing the ball. If it remains Kerry Collins this guy will dominate. With Bo Scafie on the trade rumor mill Cook has nothing but upside for a late round draft. (NOTE: Week 16 He put up 96/1) DRAFT HINT: He could easily put up top ten TE numbers this year from an 11th-13th pick. So wait till late and get him at a very low price. Talk about value.
Matthew Stafford – I watched this guy all of pre-season and his two regular season games for 2011. The longer this guy can stay on the football field the longer your gamble will reap rewards. It’s time for him to complete a season and he knows this, so start the 2011 season with this QB on your roster. (NOTE: He averaged 28.5 in both games he played) DRAFT HINT: Let your opponents fuss over the others you can easily get him at round 8 and beyond.
Kenny Britt – This guy has speed and talent. He can take over a game all by himself. He does the deep ball very well and he has even mastered the slant route. With Moss and Chris Johnson as decoys he will split defenses with ease. Pick him up and watch your opponents try to steal him from you with meaningless trade offers. Then all you have to do is just sit back and laugh while you cruise to the league playoffs. (NOTE: He put up 225/3 before he got hurt) DRAFT HINT: You may want to start looking his way after round 5. Beware he could be stolen.
Arizona Cardinals Defense – Arizona’s defense did not do as bad as the offense last year. They finished sixth in 2010 on NFL.com. Combine that with the easiest schedule in the NFL and they should be fine in 2011. DRAFT HINT: No one should pick them so you should be fine to get them around round 15.
DRAFT SAMPLE: To make your roster most effective and competitive you will need to draft a RB1 and WR1 of your choice in rounds 1-2 then get Collie in 3, Jahvid Best in 4, Britt in 5, Lynch in 6, Nelson, Arizona D, Stafford, Wells, Dixon, Cook and Simpson can be picked up almost anytime. From there pick up another QB, two K’, and another D and you are ready for the playoffs. Please feel free to re-arrange this format and do it any way you please. This is just a sample. Good luck!
If the names above can stay healthy all year I can almost guarantee you a spot in your leagues playoffs for 2011. (You need to read my article about how to pick your weekly lineup entitled “Don’t leave points on the bench”) You have to use your expertise and draft position to utilize this advice to the fullest. If you draft wisely somebody named YOU is about to have a chance at a league championship for 2011!
All projection and yardage totals are courtesy of NFL.COM standard league.
Written by Martin E. Brooks – THE SLEEPER!
Contact me at: thesleeper101@live.com
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