Fantasy Football - AFC Sleepers

It is about that time of year again where fantasy football takes over the world. I am beginning a weekly segment to help you win your league. Up first, AFC sleepers. I will give you a player on every AFC team that is either under the radar, or about to break out.

AFC East

The Miami Dolphins - Pat White. He is going to take carries and catches away from Ricky Williams as well and throw a few passes. I could see him getting 500 yards rushing, 300 yards receiving, and 5-7 td passes. Also a total of 3-5 tds on the ground or receiving. He is going to be in a lot of goal line situations.

The New England Patriots - Kevin Faulk. With Tom Brady back, this team is going to throw and throw some more. Faulk is the best receiving back they have, and he with split carries, getting his fair share.

The New York Jets - Leon Washington. He has been a good backup for a while, but with Thomas Jones whining, he should start and get most of the carries. Rex Ryan will run the ball alot, and Washington should be the benefictiary of that.

The Buffalo Bills - Derek Schouman. With Terrell Owens and Lee Evans on the outside, the middle of the field should be wide open, and that is where the tight end plays. He wont be spectacular, but 500 yards and 4-6 touchdowns is very reachable.


AFC North

The Baltimore Ravens - Ray Rice. When you think of the Ravens running game, Willis McGahee and LeRon MacLain come to mind. MacLain is now the fullback, and McGahee is in the doghouse. Rice will start and by the end of the year could be a top 12 running back. 1000 yards is probable, and 1200 is not out of the question.

The Cleveland Browns - Mike Furrey. Whomever starts at quarterback for the Browns will want to throw to somebody he can trust to catch it. Braylon Edwards showed last year he is not that guy. Furrey will catch everything thrown in his direction.

The Pittsburgh Steelers - Mewelde Moore. Willie Parker starts, and should be backed up by Rashard Mendenhall, but neither one of them stays healthy. Moore catches the ball out of the backfield, and is a good downhill runner, and most importantly, he stays healthy.

The Cincinnati Bengals - Chase Coffman. He will become Carson Palmer's security blanket. He is not fast, but he catches the ball. With T.J. Whose your daddy in Seattle, that leaves catches underneath.

AFC South

The Houston Texans - Defense. The Texans have improved every year on defense and this year they will finish in the top 10. The have sack guys and ball hawks. This defense is emerging quickly.

The Tennessee Titans - Justin Gage. Using his big frame, he is a red zone stud. He is able to position himself in the end zone and could score 8-10 touchdowns. He is a great number 2 receiver for your team.

The Indianapolis Colts - Donald Brown. The Colts are slowly losing faith in Joseph Addai, and if the preseason is any indication, Brown is ready to take over. He will begin the season as the third down back, but by mid season he could be starting.

The Jacksonville Jaguars - Torry Holt. He has the fantasy name, but he is no longer a number 1 option. With Maurice Jones-Drew getting most of the attention, Holt could catch 60 passes and surpass 800 yards, which would be good for a 2nd or 3rd receiver.

AFC West

The Oakland Raiders - Johnnie Lee Huggins. Not only has he established himself as a great return man, but I believe he will establish himself in the passing game. With the Raiders airing it out, there is going to be a lot of balls to be caught.

The San Diego Chargers - Darren Sproles. With L.T. starting to show some wear and tear, Sproles will get his fair share of carries in Norv Turner's offense. He is built alot like Jones-Drew and could start putting up similar numbers.

The Denver Broncos - Eddie Royal. With it evident that Brandon Marshall will either be in the doghouse or on another team, Royal is the clear number 1. Royal should get 80-90 catches and 1200 yards with 12 touchdowns.

The Kansas City Chiefs - Jamaal Charles. With Larry Johnson being iffy, Charles could become the starter sooner than later. With the injury to Matt Cassell, the Chiefs could run alot.

That has been my AFC sleepers. Next week, I will do the NFC sleepers.

Like always, if you like it, great. If not, thats ok too. Let me hear from you at jpconner9@yahoo.com. Talk to ya next week.

John Conner