Rotoholics.com

The later rounds in the draft are where championships are won or lost. It is imperative that you don’t plan for the first 5 rounds and then just select whoever is ranked highest in some magazine’s rankings section.  This is where your strategy comes into play. Once all the top players are off the board, everyone will look down at their draft card and realize they have a gaping hole at a certain position. The trick is to have a plan to fill this hole with late round sleepers – players who’s average draft position is probably too low.

• Trent Edwards - QB – Buffalo Bill
  This year, a maturing Trent Edwards is surrounded by some serious receiver talent… and running back talent for that matter.  Both T.O. and Lee Evans are coming off of 1,000 yard seasons.  With defenses trying their best to stop T.O., Evans should shine facing single coverage.  Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson will keep defenses honest.
• Kyle Orton - QB – Denver Broncos
  Wow, Orton really stunk in the preseason opener.  But, hey, the poor guy is just learning the system and probably a little nervous.  This awful performance will be tough for drafters to forget and most will stay far away… which could spell opportunity for you.  Orton a had a solid season last year with NO receivers to speak of.  This year he has some real dandies.   Locker room drama is sure to break out with Brandon Marshall around, but at least he can catch the ball.  Once Orton gets the hang of the system, he could really shine as your backup QB.
• Matt Hasselbeck - QB – Seattle Seahawks
  This one has some real risk but some serious reward potential.  The Seahawks embark on a cakewalk season facing defenses that are terrible at stopping the pass.  They landed a great receiver in Housh and bring back boy-child Deion Branch who make finally start catching some occasional longer bombs since defenses will need to hone in on Housh.  Great, right?  Well, the problem is keeping Matt upright.  Can the O-Line give him the time to get a good throw off?  Can they keep defensive lineman from turning the rest of his brittle spine into dust?  I don’t know.  I probably won’t draft him, but it could be a home run if picked up at the right spot in the draft.
• Pierre Thomas - RB – New Orleans Saints
  With Reggie Bush back, most will forget about Pierre Thomas.  Recall though that not only is Bush really more of a receiver in disguise, Bush also has glass knees (not to mention coming off microfracture surgery).  Pierre was a second-half of the season savior for many fantasy owners last year and will likely be in position to score big yards and touchdowns on the Saint’s prolific offense – one way or another.
• Ronnie Brown – RB Miami Dolphins
  I think Brown is getting taken a little too low in most drafts. Consider that Brown is now almost two years removed from ACL surgery.  Also, consider that Ricky Williams is older than Moses.  Finally, consider that Brown is in a contract year. Everything is in place for Brown to have a year similar to the way he started 2008.
• Kevin Smith – RB – Detroit Lions
  It’s always a risky move to take a player that is stuck on a crap offense.  How is he going to get touchdowns if they are 4 and out everytime? Well, from the looks of it, the Lions should be a lot better this year (they certainly can’t get any worse).  Calvin Johnson is an unstoppable football diety. Stafford is looking good.  The line is looking a little better.  On this new and improved offense, Kevin Smith is all they got at RB – their is no LenDale White-type-guy that comes in and steals the final five yards of glory.  Oh, and Kevin is a pretty darn good runner to boot.
• Ray Rice – RB – Baltimore Ravens
  McGahee sucks (and has glass knees). McClain isn’t that good. The Ravens have one of easiest schedules for the running game.  Ray Rice is going to be given the opportunity to be the #1 man in Baltimore.  You can get him very late in the draft and he could end up a starter for you later in the season.
• Devin Hester - WR – Chicago Bears
  Cutler loves to throw the ball, and he is good at it.  Someone needs to be there to catch it, so it might as well be Hester. He has had some time to get used to the position and started to look good towards the end of last year.  This is more of a hunch, but I think the Bears offense could end up doing pretty well next year and Hester has huge upside potential as a result.
• Dominick Hixon – WR – New York football Giants
  (see Devin Hester’s explanation above - change “Cutler” to “Manning” and change “good at it” to “ok at it, but very rich”)
• Anthony Gonzalez - WR – Indianapolis Colts
  With Marvin Harrison moving on and Wayne getting older, this is Anthony’s year to step up.  He is a third year receiver which is usually when players start to pull it together and feel comfortable.  Gonzalez is fast as hell and looks funny- what more can you want?