Monday, August 20, 2007
The Kansan’s Fantasy Football writer Kelly Breckunitch will profile his top sleepers in a three-part series. Check The Kansan on Tuesday for part three.
REM sleep is most commonly the stage of sleep where people dream. These players are looking to have dream seasons in the NFL and break out as true fantasy threats.
QB J.P. Losman, Buffalo
Last year, a lot of fantasy writers told fantasy owners to stay away from J.P. Losman. Last year he threw for 3,051 yards, 19 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, had a passer rating of 84.9 and a completion percentage of 62.5 percent. He has a big play threat in wide receiver Lee Evans and has steadily improved during his past three seasons.
A solid defense will get Buffalo’s offense the ball enough, and a rookie running back will put most of the offensive emphasis on Losman. Look for Losman to bring some excitement to the frigid north this season.
TE Daniel Graham, Denver
Daniel Graham had to get out of New England where he was primarily used as a blocking tight end. The emergence of Ben Watson last year and the signing of the plethora of receivers in the offseason helped make his move easier.
Daniel Graham
2006
21 catches
235 receiving yards
2 touchdowns
Projected 2007
38 catches
425 yards
7 touchdowns
Denver is a good fit for Graham. The Broncos are going into their first season with Jay Cutler as the starting quarterback and he will need all the help he can get.
Rod Smith is aging quickly and though Javon Walker proved himself as a major threat last year, he is more of deep burner than a possession receiver. Therefore, Graham could become a viable option in the Red Zone for Cutler and break out of the shell that contained him in New England.
WR Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia
Kevin Curtis has had to play behind Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce for the past four seasons. His move to Philadelphia should improve his role in the passing game. He should start alongside Reggie Brown at the receiver position.
Curtis has played second fiddle to Holt and Bruce for his entire career so far, and now he will get the opportunity to play every down. Considering Brown is the next best option, Curtis should see a lot of balls thrown his way this year, which could lead to a lot of fantasy points.
Dallas Defense
Dallas will try to get rid of that bad taste left from its playoff loss to Seattle last season. The hiring of Wade Phillips should help improve a defense that had many holes last season. Dallas gave up 322.8 yards per game last season, had 34 sacks and 18 interceptions.
That should all improve this season because Phillips has a defensive mindset and has worked with a 3-4 scheme in the past few seasons with San Diego. Phillips inherits a number of versatile playmakers like DeMarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Greg Ellis, Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Spencer, Roy Williams and the new Cowboy Ken Hamlin who he can mold into perfect form in his defensive scheme. The Dallas defense should improve drastically under Phillips, who knows the 3-4 scheme extremely well.
RB Brandon Jacobs, NY Giants
Eli Manning has one thing in common with his brother Peyton: his last name. Other than that, the two are entirely different quarterbacks. Eli Manning lacks the confidence and intangibles that make Peyton Manning such a great quarterback. That is why I have no faith in the Giants’ passing game this season.
However, running back Brandon Jacobs could break out and have a decent season. He is a bruising back who has been limited to goal line duties the past two seasons behind Tiki Barber. Now Barber’s retirement leaves Jacobs in competition with Reuben Droughns for the starting spot. Droughns has not proven himself as a starter.
Droughns has had only one good season out of the running back haven in Denver. His highest number of touchdowns in a season is six. Jacobs has had more touchdowns than that in his first two years in the NFL.
The question is, can Jacobs hold up as a starting running back? I think he will stay strong for this year at least and be the only bright spot on a dismal Giants offense.
– Edited by Meghan Murphy
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