Fantasy File—Sleeper Wideouts

As we hit the last week of the fantasy draft stage of the season, here are my picks for “sleeper” wideouts…

Derrick Mason

Here is how some pundits rate Mason:

Foxsports.com #19 WR/#44 overall

Sportsline.com #20 WR/#64 overall

Espn.com (Eric Karabell) #80 overall

Year	Team	Rec.	Yards	TD
2002	Titans	79	1012	5
2003	Titans	95	1303	8
2004	Titans	96	1168	7
2005	Ravens	86	1073	3

Okay, so Mason isn’t exactly a sleeper, but I’ve included him to kick off the list because I think a lot of people forgot about him since his move to Baltimore. Don’t make that mistake come draft time. The sample of three rankings listed above offers a range of opinion on Mason’s value. If we assume a 12-team league, our experts rank Mason as high as the late 4^th round (Foxsports.com) and as low as the late 7^th round (Espn.com). I’m suggesting that you target Mason in the late 4^th-early 5^th round. Look at it this way: if you play in a standard league (QB, RB, RB, WR, WR and either a WR/TE or dedicated TE) then you are probably getting your second WR by round five. If you know what you are doing, you’ll get your top two RBs in the first couple rounds, then start filling in your QB and WR spots. If you are looking for a second WR at round 5, give Mason a close look.

Those numbers are pretty solid for a receiver who is now 31. While the ’05 numbers may seem pedestrian, lets remember that it was Mason’s first season with the Ravens and he had Kyle Boller and Anthony Wright slinging the ball to him. Another thing to consider is Quadry Ismail. Why do I bring up “the Missle”? He was the last Ravens receiver to crack the 1,000 yard plateau and he did it back in 2001. That’s a three season stretch (’02-’04) in which no Raven’s receiver could break 1,000 yards. Given the Raven’s historical lack of a passing game and the talent deficit he was working with in ’05, I think we can safely say that Mason’s slight dip in production was the fault of the inadequacy of the Raven’s O. With the addition of his old battery-mate, Steve McNair, I think Mason can improve on his 2005 numbers. Something in the neighborhood of 1200 yards and 7 TDs. He should make a solid selection from about late 4^th round on, and fit nicely on your squad as your #2 WR.

Antonio Bryant

Foxsports.com #44WR/#138 overall

Sportsline.com #43 WR#123 overall

Espn.com #132 overall

Year	Team	Rec.	Yards	TD
2002	Dallas	44	733	6
2003	Dallas	39	550	2
2004	Cleveland	58	812	4
2005	Cleveland	69	1009	4

Bryant has been bouncing around the league (third team in five years). He now finds himself in the woeful 49ers offense with young Alex Smith tossing him the rock. Our experts rank him in the #123-132 range—that would make him a 11^th rounder in a twelve team league. He is certainly more valuable than that. That late you will be picking up your fourth or fifth WR—Bryant is better than that. This guy will be the #1 option in the 49ers passing attack—rookie Vernon Davis may grab headlines, but he needs to grasp the offense first. I’m a big fan of grabbing receivers in the middle rounds who a) are the #1 or #1a option on their team and b) play for teams that will struggle mightily (and pass a lot in an effort to catchup). Bryant fits this bill perfectly. If Alex Smith improves this season (he can’t play any worse, can he?) Bryant may crack your starting lineup. Look for him in round eight.

Kevin Curtis

Foxsports.com #52 among WR/#146

Sportsline.com #49 WR/#148

Espn.com #108 Overall

Year	Team	Rec.	Yards	TD
2003	Rams	4	13	0
2004	Rams	32	421	2
2005	Rams	60	801	6

Our experts project Curtis from the late 9^th to early in the 13^th round. Curtis filled in nicely last year as the Rams starters got nicked-up and there is no reason to think that he won’t contribute again as Issac Bruce’s understudy. Bruce is in the twilight of a brilliant career, but I believe that age, injury and a new coaching staff (with no particular loyalty to Bruce for his past achievements) will lead to a diminished role for the future Hall-of-Famer. Don’t be shy about grabbing him in the 9^th or 10^th round. So long as you have your starting WRs and at least one good backup in front of him. He’s also a perfect guy if your league has “practice squad” slots.

Mark Clayton (TB)

Foxsports.com #67 among WR/#187

Sportsline.com #46 WR/#132 overall

Espn.com #100 overall

Year	Team	Rec.	Yards	TD
2004	Bucs	80	1193	7
2005	Bucs	32	372	0

After one of the all-time great rookies seasons for a wideout, Clayton broke a lot of hearts last season (yours truly included). However, that dip in performance wasn’t all sophomore jinx, Clayton suffered through a shoulder injury, a QB carosel, and Joey Galloway finding the fountain of youth in the City of Tampa. A healthier Clayton should return to his rookie form, and in Jon Gruden’s possession-receiver friendly offense that should make fantasy owners happy. Clayton is a nifty pickup once you hit the 11^th round.