With only days left before the start of the season, and the biggest weekend of fantasy football drafts underway, we need to look at who is left on the sleeper lists, or flying under the radar.

First lets look at our sleeper categories:

Coma - So far down the sleeper list that they actually may not wake up and pan into anything.
Deep Sleep - Start of year deep sleeper, still unsure of status though they have showed signs of life
Light Sleep - On almost all sleeper lists and not a surprise to anyone now

COMA

Runningback: Tony Hunt (Philly)/ Adrian Peterson (Chicago) - The description for both of these running backs is the same.   Both are playing behind starting RB’s who tend to get hurt and if either of these players got a start on a given week they will put up RB1 numbers.  Hunt is a rookie but runs with power and speed and will be a nice compliment to Westbrook moving forward and a good replacement if Westbrook gets hurt.  Peterson has done nothing but run well when he has been thrown into the starting mix in the past averaging over 4 yards a carry and getting in the end zone.  Both are good handcuff players who could become very valuable near the end of the season.

Quarterback: Drew Stanton, Detroit Lions. - Kitna is the starter, and with the addition of Calvin Johnson Kitna is actually the sleeper on everyone’s list but two things are going on Detroit which you should watch for: 1 - Kitna did not have a very good preseason and he isn’t young anymore.  Detroit wants to win some games so they will make every effort to stay with him but if they aren’t winning and he is still throwing more INT’s than touchdowns, then watch them go with the youth movement and allow Stanton to grow with Johnson and Williams right away.  2 - Kitna is complaining about back pain in the preseason.  Never a good sign to be complaining this much before the season starts.  Might just be preseason hype, but if the pain persists it will hinder his play and may open a door for Stanton.  

Wide Receiver: Dwayne Jarrett, Carolina - Another rookie who could make an impact his first year.  Colbert managed to win the starting gig across from Steve Smith, but Jarrett has the size to be a better long term sidekick for Smith.  Jarret is a big target and has good hands and speed.  Caught a 44 yard pass in his last preseason game.  Rookie wide receivers don’t usually bust out of the gates, so that is why he is in a coma state, but Colbert hasn’t exactly excelled in the past to be considered a sure starter all season.

Tight End: Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville - Was named most improved player in preseason camps.  He was expected to make an impact in his rookei year, but never caught up to the NFL games. Well year 2 could be a different story as he has put in the time in the offseason.  Question marks at QB, might be more of an issue than his own play.

DEEP SLEEP

Running Back: Chris Brown, Titans - Chris Brown was the teams RB of the future 3 seasons ago. Then the injuries set in and by the time last year was in motion he was third string and being cut at the end of the year in favor of rookie LenDale White.  Well White doesn’t seem to want to take control of a starting gig, so after being resigned, there is still a door open for Brown to get significant carries.  If White plays well at all, they will stay with youth, but Brown has run extremely well in preseason, and has earned carries.  If he stays healthy and keeps running this well, he may play himself back into an RB1.

Quarterback: David Garrard, Jacksonville - For most of this preseason Garrard has been considerd a handcuff player to Byron Leftwiche.  Well recent events have the team going away from Byron and moving forward with Garrard as their QB1.  So draft with confidence that you are getting a starter, but remain realistic of fantasy expectations.  Garrard also started the final games of last season, and did not do much for fantasy teams.  His TD output was not much higher than his turnover output.  The team has talent at RB, but not much on the wings for Garrard, so look for him to keep it on the ground as much as possible which is not what you want from your fantasy QB1.

Wide Receiver: Jacoby Jones, Houston - Jones has gone from the COMA list to the Deep sleep list (and probably headed to the light sleep list by next week) in just two weeks.  A month ago nobody knew who he was but after kickoff returns for  touchdowns and highlight reel catches, Jacoby has become probably the hottest sleeper in most drafts.  He syill hasn’t been named a starter, but this kid has the athleticism and confidence to play BIG.  If you are in a keeper or dynasty league, don’t miss this pick.

Tight End: Eric Johnson, New Orleans - Johnson is not lightning fast, and is not a superb athlete, but he has great, great hands and rarely will drop a ball.  In a dynamic offense like New Orleans where Drew Brees likes to go to a tight end in the red zone, this could reap big rewards.  Why only the deep sleep category then?  Johnson also can’t keep himself healthy and on the field, so injuries combined with him going to a new team, creates caution.  I think he is one of those players you can draft very late and will give you as much value as a tight end who went in the middle rounds, but you ahve to have a backup plan when you own him.

LIGHT SLEEP

Running Back: Tatum Bell, Detroit Lions - Bell has tons of talent, but couldn’t be consistent in Denver.  Surprising because all RB’s seem to excel in Denver.  For that reason he was brought to Detroit to backup Kevin Jones, but Jones is not yet healthy and will get limited if any carries the first 3-4 weeks of the season.  Bell has an opportunity to dominate the carries and secure himself in the offense.  For at least the first few weeks you should have an RB perfect for a flex position on your roster, but if he plays horrible in week 1, don’t start him again until he proves he can handle a full workload.

Quarterback: Matt Schaub, Houston - Schaub has been considered a decent, mobile, adequate quaterback his entire career, depsite never getting an opportunity to really show his talents.  Going to Houston where previous QB, David Carr was driven into the ground more than he produced drives downfield, expectation were low from a fantasy perspective.   But after a strong preseason of excellent play, and  a Houston team that looks revived,  Schaub is looking like a decent option to draft, and easily worth a backup pick as QB2, or QB1 in deep leagues.  But after back-2-back very strong preseason games, most other owners are thinking the same thing. 

Wide Receiver: Vincent Jackson, San Diego - What is the worst thing a potential fantasy sleeper can do?  Go out and have a huge preseason.  Vincent Jackson has gone from a payer who ended last year playing really well and decent sleeper option for this season, to a must have player and no one is sleeping on him now.  If your in a league and some how noone knows what Jackson has been doing and he is sliding, grab him. He appears to be the first option in the air and in the red zone after LT. 

Tight End:  Vernon Davis, San Francisco - Davis hardly played last year due to injury, so was considered a decent sleeper for this season at his position.  Well he also has had a strong preseason and has gone from top 10 TE sleeper, to top 3 at his position in most drafts.  If you are in a league where he has slipped past #4, grab him.  He is the real deal, could rival Gates for top TE position going into next year, and San Francisco should have an offense which puts points on the board constantly.