Sleepers to Target in 2008
By Scott Lange
With the 2008 AFL season slowly approaching, I would like to discuss some players that I'm excited about. I will not discuss any studs in this article such as Damien Harrell, Siaha Burley, or Clint Dolezel. You should already know what to expect with those guys. What I will do is discuss only the players I feel will present good value come draft day. So, without further ado, here are the Guru's top fourteen players to target in your 2008 draft. This is in no particular order.
Travis LaTendresse, WR Chicago
If you've read any of my previous articles for this year, you will see where I speak very highly of Travis LaTendresse. I love the situation he is in. He has a veteran QB in Sherdrick Bonner, and the best WR in the AFL, Damien Harrell, lining up on the other side of the field. Harrell will draw most of the attention from the defense, which means LaTendresse will see lots of single coverage. What helps his situation even more is Dan Alexander as the RB. Alexander won't get 40+ TDs rushing like he did last year, but you can better believe the defenses will stack the line. Lastly, I can't get over the numbers this guy put up during the last seven games with Las Vegas last year. There's no doubt this kid has talent, and with an explosive offense like the Rush, he could be headed for a break-out season. LaTendresse will be in the top 25 WRs in the AFL by the end of the year.
 Brad Pyatt, WR, Colorado
Pyatt very quietly had a fine season last year behind star receiver Damien Harrell. Pyatt caught 95 passes for 1201 yards and 19 TDs. He was basically Dutton's second option on offense. Harrell is now gone via free agency, but Colorado was able to land WR Ben Nelson, who played for the San Jose Sabercats last year. Nelson is a fine receiver and should fit in nicely with the Crush offense. However, Pyatt is more familiar with Dutton and the Crush offense, so he already has an advantage over Nelson. I'm not saying Pyatt will have better numbers than Nelson at the end of the year, but Pyatt definitely has a shot at posting better numbers than he did last year. And fantasy owners also know that Nelson can be injury prone. Pyatt's value skyrockets if Nelson misses any time. Roll the dice on Pyatt in the middle portion of your draft and reap the benefits.
Kenny Higgins, WR, Grand Rapids
I really think some people may be underestimating Higgins. I watched this guy last year, and if not for Charles Frederick's crazy season as a rookie, I think Higgins may have been the Co-Rookie of the year along with Tampa Bay's Brett Dietz. Higgins was not on the roster until week three and then once inserted into the offense, never looked back. Higgins will now play a full season in 2008 and his numbers should improve. The other Rampage receivers are Anthony Hines, Chris Johnson, and Jermaine Lewis. Looking at this list, it's easy to see that Higgins is their best WR and should perform as the team's number one option. I've seen Higgins fall awfully far in some drafts this year, which is why I think he could be an undervalued gem. Higgins has 30+ TD potential, so if he's available past R4, there is solid value there.
Rob Turner, WR, Los Angeles
Turner is another example of a player who had a solid season in 2007 but seems to be undervalued come draft day. Turner had 105 catches for 1229 yards and 24 TDs. Turner produced these stats as the team's WR3, behind Kevin Ingram and Lenzie Jackson. Turner should see a lot of single coverage this year, with Timon Marshall and Kevin Ingram getting most of the attention. I see no reason why Turner can't produce another 100+ catch, 1100+ yard, 20+ TD season in 2008. He would make a great WR3 on a weekly basis for fantasy owners.
DeAndrew Rubin, WR, New Orleans
All the talk since the unfortunate season-ending injury to Voodoo WR Derrick Lewis seems to be about Wendall Williams. Although I do think Williams' value increases, I think people are forgetting about how good Rubin looked last year with the Predators before he got injured. In the first three games, Rubin caught 24 passes for 298 yards, and seven TDs. Rubin then got injured in week four and was lost for the season. Rubin is in the perfect situation in New Orleans. He's got a solid QB in Steve Bellisari, and a team that LOVES to pass the ball. Wendall can't catch ALL the passes from Bellisari, and my money is on Rubin to surprise people this year.
Jeremiah Pope, WR, New York
Pope will be the third WR in what should be an explosive Dragon offense. QB Aaron Garcia seems to be healthy, which will be key for all the Dragon offensive players. Pope had a great year last year for the Rattlers, catching 89 passes for 1100+ yards and 24 TDs. He was also involved on the ground, scoring twice. The reason I'm really high on Pope is because Swayne and Groce are not necessarily the most durable players. If Groce or Swayne were to go down, Pope's value would skyrocket. He's got great hands, runs good routes, and seems to be a perfect fit for the Dragon offense. I think Pope will be a top 25 WR by the end of year but, if given the right situation, he's got the potential to post even better numbers. Owners should look at Pope as a WR3 with tons of upside.
Adrian McPherson, QB, Grand Rapids
McPherson is at the top my high risk/high reward players this year. I'm on the fence with this guy. In my "From the Gut" article (look here), I tell people to stay away from this guy, but if you can grab him late in your draft then take a chance. You just don't know what you are going to get with him. Owners are not sure if he is even going to start the season as the Rampage's QB. I have a hard time forgetting about what McPherson did in his rookie year of 2004 in Indiana. McPherson passed for 61 TDs, but more importantly scrambled in for 19 more on the ground. That should show you the potential he has. Early reports out of the Rampage organization have McPherson looking good and excited about the team. His stock is slowly rising, but don't go crazy and reach for him on draft day. Fill out your roster first, and if he is available, be bold and take McPhereson as your backup QB.
Jason Geathers, WR, San Jose
There's a lot to like about this guy. When giving the opportunity last year because of the injury to WR Rodney Wright, he was very productive at the WR3 slot behind Roe and Nelson. This year Geathers will battle rookie Joshua Ritchey for that same WR3 position and Geathers has the talent to win that battle and have a career year. Keep in mind that both Roe and Wright have been injured in the past. Geathers makes a great pick in the middle portion of your draft and could produce WR3 numbers in 2008.
Otis Amey, WR, Cleveland
Amey is a player I really like this year because of his running ability. In 2007, Amey caught 89 passes for 1033 yards, 18 receiving TDs, 54 yards rushing, and 10 more TDs on the ground. Cornelius Bonner may be the better receiver for the Glads this year, but from a fantasy perspective, Amey may score more points because of his ability to run for TDs. Amey had the second most TDs on the ground from a WR last year (10) behind Kansas City's Charles Frederick. Amey will also be working with a much more experienced QB this year in Raymond Philyaw. Amey could on the verge of a break out season. Owners should target Amey in the middle portion of their draft and expect WR3 numbers in 2008.
Matt D'Orazio, QB, Philadelphia
Please tell me you have not forgotten about this guy yet? He led the Rush to a 14-2 record last year and was responsible for 94 TDs. So why am I listing him as a sleeper to target? Well, I just don't think Tony Graziani will stay healthy this year. He's not getting any younger and he's not played a full season in two straight years. There is no question that WR Chris Jackson was the Soul's best acquisition in the off-season, but the second best move they made was signing D'Orazio, who is an experienced AFL QB. Owners should target D'Orazio at the end of their draft especially if you have drafted Graziani as your starting QB. He may be the best back up QB in the AFL right now.
Tom Pace, WR, Utah
Pace had a career year last year with the Blaze and was second on the team in TD receptions with 20, behind only Siaha Burley. Burley is now gone and Tom Pace is the best option on the Blaze offense. The Blaze has WRs Aaron Boone and J.J. McKelvey as their other starters on offense. Camp reports say Boone is struggling right now, which leaves J.J. McKelvey as the only other starter. Looking at the Blaze roster, you can see that Pace is the more consistent option and is their best WR weapon. Everything looks to be in place for Pace to have a monster season.
Rodney Filer, RB, Utah
People are forgetting how great of a season Filer was having with the Storm in 2007 before getting injured in week four. Filer had racked up nine TDs through four games, including a 4 TD game in week three. Filer will join a Utah team that did not run the ball that much last year, but without Siaha Burley the Blaze will try to establish a running game. With a more balanced offense in Utah, Filer could be a top 10 RB by the end of the year.
Andrae Thurman, WR, Dallas
Thurman was the Desperado's number three option on offense last year in the passing game. He collected 66 passes for 845 yards, and 20 TDs. He'll assume the same role this year and I can see Thurman posting better numbers this year. One reason is because QB Clint Dolezel likes spreading the ball around. After Will Pettis and Marcus Nash, the next best receiver Dolezel will look to is Thurman. Another reason to like Thurman is durability of Nash. Nash has been injury prone, missing several games in 2007. If he goes down again this year, Thurman will be the WR2 on an explosive Desperado team. Even with Nash healthy, another 20 TD season is entirely possible.
Thabiti Davis, WR, Kansas City
Davis will be a solid WR for the Brigade and add some depth to their receiving core. Davis responded from a disappointing year in 2006, to post 123 catches, 1278 yards, and 18 TDs. The only thing that worries me about the Brigade is their QB situation. If Fitzgerald can get into a groove, Frederick, Horacek, and Davis would be a scary trio on offense. Owners should target Davis towards the end of the draft.
Scott Lange is a founding member of Arena Football Online and has been following Arena Football since 2000. Contact Scott at slange@arenafootballonline.com
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