Fantasy football season is officially here with the NFL season kicking off Thursday night. It’s time to throw on your general manager hat and become the decision-maker of your own franchise.
Whoever invented fantasy football ranks right up there with Frank Sinatra on my own list of coolest people ever.
This season, drafting from rounds one through 10 is fairly easy when building a team. After about 10 rounds, make sure the team has at least one quarterback, four running backs and wide receivers and one tight end.

The most difficult aspect of compiling your roster is discovering possible sleeper candidates — players that fly under the drafting-radar but at some point in the season will help you immensely.
Sleepers are players who can either be drafted or picked up during the season. Sleepers can be used during bye weeks and also as trade bait.
I’m here to help even the novice fantasy football-joe find possible sleeper players that will help win your league this season.
Here’s my list of sleeper players this season:

Quarterbacks:
Jon Kitna — I’ve seen Kitna go un-drafted in one of my drafts this season. This simply shouldn’t happen. Here’s a guy who will again likely throw for 4,000 yards with at least 20 TD passes. If you wait on your backup QB (which I recommend doing), take Kitna late.
J.T. O’Sullivan — Deep sleeper here. Don’t draft him, but keep an eye on what he does week one against the Cardinals. If he looks sharp in Mike Martz’s new 49’ers offense, consider him as a backup candidate if one of your QB’s goes down.
Jake Delhomme — Another guy that I’ve seen go un-drafted this season. Keep a close eye on him. He is a true gamer. With an improved running game, Delhomme could return to a 3,500 yard, 25 TD season. His health is still an issue though, so buyer beware with him.

Running Backs:

Chris Perry — Be sure to draft Chris Perry this season or pick him on the waiver wire ASAP. With Rudi Johnson’s release, Perry will be the starting RB in a high-powered Bengals offense. If he stays healthy, which hasn’t happened in the past, he could get you 1,000 yards and 10 teeders.
Darren McFadden or Jonathan Stewart — the two top rookie backs this season should demand your attention in the fourth or fifth round. Either of them could have huge years and end up making your backfield the strongest in the league, especially if you’re using them as your third RB. Don’t consider anything until the fourth round. Drafting these two any higher is definitely a reach.

Tim Hightower — will backup Edgerrin James in Arizona but I like his chances for producing later in the season. He will be the Cardinal’s starting RB in ’09, which makes his keeper-league value much higher. Hightower is a guy to take a chance on.
Chris Taylor — this guy isn’t getting drafted anywhere, and he will probably open the season as the Texans starting RB. Pick him up or draft him late and you might hit the lottery. Houston finished 8-8 last season and its offense improved dramatically. Give Taylor a strong look. Any RB who starts in the NFL should be on a fantasy team. Do more research on Taylor and make sure to know his role.

Here are all other sleeper RBs I like this season:

Matt Forte (Chi), Kevin Smith (Det), Chris Henry (Ten), Ray Rice (Bal.), Steve Slaton (Hou). Felix Jones (Dal), Rashard Mendenhall (Pit)

Wide receivers:
Calvin Johnson — Say Kitna throws for 3,500 yards this season. If Roy Williams collects 1,200, that leaves another 2,300 yards to go around. Assume Johnson gets his share. I love his size, which makes him a threat at the goal line.
Robert Meachem — Same philosophy as above. Assume Drew Brees throws for 4,000 yards (which he’s done the last two seasons). Marques Colston should get 1,300 tops, which leaves another 2,700. Look for Meachem to have a nice season in this passing system. He’s also one of the fastest players in the NFL.
Bernard Berrian — Berrian will lead the Vikings in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Any player that can lead his team in all receiving categories is worth a strong look. I like him as a number two WR on your team, but I love him as a number three. Don’t underestimate his QB Tarvaris Jackson either.
Jerricho Cotchery — Played in two preseason games with Brett Favre at QB and scored in each of them. That should tell you all you need to know.
Anthony Gonzalez — Keep an eye on Marvin Harrison’s health. If it becomes an issue, your reason for drafting Gonzalez will be easily justified. Peyton Manning has averaged 35 Td’s per season over the last five years. Gonzalez could catch eight teeders with or without Harrison in the lineup. Gonzalez becomes an instant starter on your team if Harrison can’t return.
Ronald Curry — I like his chances at leading the Raiders in most receiving categories. Although the team won’t score many touchdowns, Curry could give you major garbage-time statistics as the team passes on every play later in the game. Also, Curry was an amazing athlete in high school and college as a QB. You have to be a pretty good athlete to become an NFL WR with zero previous experience at the position. Take him with one of your last picks.

Good luck this season to all fantasy owners.

Listen to the Johnny Ballgame Show on 89.3 FM and www.kuoi.org each Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

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