Draft kit | Sleepers | Deep sleepers | Busts | Breakouts | Strategies
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Roddy White, WR, Falcons: While everyone swooned over Julio Jones, White had the better 2011 season. The perception that Jones is the superior receiver might become reality this season, but White will still be very productive.
Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets: He might behave petulantly, but he's still one of the five best WRs in the AFC. Look for him to put up numbers more like those from his first season with the Jets than what he did during last year's train (Jet?) wreck.
Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears: I'm sure I'm not alone in expecting big things from Marshall. Then again, there are plenty of fantasy owners who've forever sworn him off after the last two seasons. If he falls past the fourth round in your draft, consider him a steal.
Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys: Hear me now, believe me later: 2012 will be Dezzie's breakout season, as in: 1,100-plus yds, 10 TDs, good enough to place him among the top 10 WRs.
Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys: That's right: I'm all in on the Cowboys this season! They're going to the Super Bowl, and they'll get there thanks to Tony Romo and his receivers (well, and the improved defense, too). People will be scared off by his "lost it in the lights" moment last year, but fantasy football favors the bold.
Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers: Yes, he's lost a step and gained a few pounds, but Gates still put up the seventh-most points among tight ends. Philip Rivers will lean on him even more with Vincent Jackson now in Tampa.
Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: While I don't want talented-but-injury prone WRs like Andre Johnson, I still covet a running back like McFadden who puts up transcendent numbers when healthy. Why? Because RBs -- due to the nature of the position -- suffer more injuries. I suggest carrying at least four ball carriers in anticipation of those trips to the IR.
Sidney Rice, WR, Seahawks: Here's another guy you can only call a sleeper because of all the sleepers. The difference between him and Andre Johnson is that fantasy owners will still burn a third-round (or even a second) pick on Johnson. Rice, conversely, will plummet, making him a good gamble as your No. 2.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants: He'll drop in a lot of drafts because: 1) The Giants cut the figure of a passing team these days, and 2) They used their first-round pick on speedster David Wilson. Don't be thrown, though; Bradshaw will continue to get in the end zone (eight TDs/season over the last three years) and produce overall in 2012.
Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys: Let everyone else fall all over themselves to get Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford. Wait an extra round or two and get the best "value" QB in Romo, who I predict is in store for his best season yet.
