Fantasy Football

While the difference between this and sleepers might seem negligible, and it admittedly probably is, but while sleepers are considered those who could reach the upper-echelon of receivers, this is ranking players who can be productive though drafted in lower rounds.

1) Jabbar Gaffney
With Dante Stallworth now toiling away in Cleveland, Gaffney should step up and assume the third wide receiver spot. If there is anything that hurts Moss’ fantasy value, it’s that Brady and Bellicheck couldn’t care less about who is catching passes. This benefits Gaffney, who came on strong for the Pats in the second half of last season. This kid can play, it is just a matter of him getting touches.

2) Muhsin Muhammad
“Chicago is where receivers go to die” is Muhsin’s way of summarizing his experience with the Bears. Now feeling adequately compensated from his dismal three seasons in Chicago, Muhammad has journeyed back to where he made his name. Do not expect him to return to his 2004 numbers, but expect an improvement from his awful stint in Chicago.

They look pretty lively here. Though its probably the NFL equivalent of reaching the front of the bread line.

3) Bryant Johnson
There is a decent chance someone over-drafts him in your league, if that is the case then shrug it off. But Bryant Johnson, finally out of the shadows of Fitzgerald and Boldin in Arizona, now has a fresh start with the 49ers. The problem with that of course, is that it is with the 49ers, an offense that has looked consistently inept since drafting the ill-advised Alex Smith in 2005.

4) Chris Henry
Guess who’s back? As of today, the Bengals have invited Chris Henry, the immensely troubled wide receiver out of West Virginia (how have him and Pacman never been arrested together?), back to the team. It could coincide with Housh and Chad Johnson having mental (only applies to Johnson)/physical health problems, either way, if your league isn’t based out of Ohio, there is a good chance this news will elude most of your draft. Sure, he is suspended for the first four games, but sitting him on your bench when there are no bye weeks isn’t that much of a sacrifice for a guy who can play.

5) Shaun McDonald
This all comes down to how much faith you have in Roy Williams to act like a human being. At the moment we’re wavering. He’s not like Ricky Williams, he seems to definitively enjoy playing football, but he seems disinterested in taking it even remotely seriously. I can appreciate that, but it makes this Lions receiving core a fucking mystery in fantasy football. McDonald had a stellar year in 2007, we have no idea how the stellar Mike Furrey, scatterbrained Roy Williams and emerging Calvin Johnson will effect his status, which means he has a lot of potential and little profile, definitely good for a safe late round pick.

Rounding out the top ten:
6) Anthony Gonzalez: He actually benefits if Harrison and Wayne are healthy and productive.
7) Robert Meachem: He would be higher on this list if not for Shockey coming to town and Devry Henderson standing in front of him.
Devin Hester: No Bernard Berrian or Mushin Muhammad in Chi-town anymore, much like Bryant Johnson (and to an even greater extent), someone is almost guaranteed to overdraft him. If Kyle Orton’s arm can keep up with him we’ll be surprised, though.
9) Patrick Crayton: Someone other than Witten and Owens has to catch the ball.
10) Troy Williamson: Blazing speed with a reliable quarterback that could turn a few heads in Jacksonville.

List of five to avoid a little later.