These are my picks for the 2009 NFL RUSH Fantasy team. This guide focuses on sleepers. For those not familiar with what sleepers are, they are players that are unrecognized or off the radar on fantasy stats, but are predicted to do well the following year. Here are my selections for the top sleepers of all the positions.
Quarterback: Matt Hasselbeck- In the 2008 season, the Seahawks had the word injury written all over them. Matt Hasselbeck, the amazing quarterback that in the 2007 season threw for 3,966 yards and 28 touchdowns, was held to only 209 passing attempts, and only suited up for seven games due to knee and back injuries. Hasselbeck’s receiving core wasn’t healthy either as Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, Ben Obomanu, and Logan Payne, were all out on injures, leaving Hasselbeck with nobody to throw to. But this year all the acclaimed Seahawks are back, and ready to have a season comparable to 2007. Seattle also picked up T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a great receiver that will have a huge impact in the passing game.
Running Back: LenDale White- Being a secondary option to Chris Johnson, White doesn’t get very much fame. Although this massive back only had 3.9 yards a carry in 2008, most of his talent comes on the goal line. This guy has a nose for the end zone and broke the plane fifteen times last year. Tennessee has an increasingly good offense, so I suspect them to take many trips to the red zone, and top most of their drives off with White. But you should keep in mind that White’s not first string and has to compete with Javon Ringer, a new talent that’s a goal line back just like White. If you can find an excellent running back for cheap, always get them over other positions, because, in my opinion, running back is the most important position in fantasy.
Wide Receiver: Laveranues Coles- With the departure of T.J. and the bringing forth of Coles, the Bengal’s look pretty good this year. A healthy Carson Palmer is ready to throw to his variety of targets, and post huge numbers. I see a comparison between T.J. and Coles. Both receivers aren’t amazing, but their good depending on the atmosphere they play in. I believe Coles will be made good, with Palmer throwing to him and OchoCinco being double covered, because he’s the team’s top receiver. Coles will more than likely be very cheap and a stable receiver to put up numbers.
Tight End: Greg Olsen- I couldn’t be more positive about this pick. Olsen was pretty good when Chicago didn’t have Jay Cutler but now he’s destined to be amazing. Not being Antonio Gates, or Tony Gonzalez, got Olsen out of the spotlight. But this year with a great new quarterback (Cutler), and almost nobody else good to receive the ball, Olsen might just have the most receptions of any Bear this year. Tight Ends some times don’t go for much anyway, so if you find Gonzalez, he’d be a great pick, but if not Olsen is still amazing.
Defensive player: I’d recommend the Giants because there great, but they have lost some value. The best defense to get for your team is defiantly the Steelers.
Wild Card: Roy Williams- Since T.O. left the Cowboys they have been lacking a star receiver. But this year with everything looking good for Dallas, I suspect Williams to step up and be that number one man. His two touchdowns, 430 yards will become substantially better. Also watch for other ‘Boys to step up, like Sam Hurd, and Martellus Bennett, they are great players that are going to make an impact in fantasy, and in Dallas.
Thank you for reading my sleepers guide, I wish everyone the best in fantasy this year.
Harley
