The End Around

I've decided to abandon the player rankings, due to the fact that they're likely unnecessary at this point, being so close to the season.
Instead, I will share view and opinions.


Today's topic is value picks and sleepers at WR.
Many players mis-classify value picks as "sleepers", but to me sleepers need to come very close to the end of a 12-team draft. These guys in this article are known players and are expected to perform well.

Please keep in mind that, at best, these guys should be considered for a WR3 roster spot on draft day. Some will break out, some won't.

I have included each player's ESPN Average Draft Position

Bernard Berrian - WR - Chicago Bears
ESPN ADP is 102.2, the 34th WR taken.

Berrian is far and away Chicago's best option. An excellent value for an 8th round choice.
Yes, there are very serious questions revolving around Sexy Rexy's abilities. But Berrian is in the final year of his contract, playing for the big bucks is an excellent motivator. His speed makes him a great big play threat.

Jacoby Jones - WR - Houston Texans
ADP ?

Lane College's finest NFL prospect since Fred Lane. Jones is raw and will take time to acclimate to the NFL style game, plus he'll be behind Kevin Walter to start the season. Jones qualifies as a true sleeper, especially given that I can't even find his Player Card on ESPN.
Rookie WRs are always a risk, especially those from small colleges, but few have Jones' ability...plus hey, didn't some guy named Colston come for a small school?

D.J. Hackett - WR - Seattle Seahawks
ADP of 120.5, 41st WR.

With D-Jax gone to Frisco, Hackett will start the season as Seattle's WR2...there's a very real possibility that he'll put up better numbers than Deion Branch. A fantastic value in Round 10. Unlike the previously mentioned WRs, Hackett has a good QB throwing to him, as long as Hasselbeck can stay healthy. Don't worry about the presence of Nate Burleson.

Devery Henderson - WR - New Orleans Saints
ADP 118, 40.

Henderson is a hip choice to be a great sleeper this season. I'm not all that big on him personally, he drops far too many passes and is only 5'11. Still, Brees will be airing it out in N'awlins. Somebody other than Reggie Bush and Marques Colston will have to see plenty of targets.

James Jones - WR - Green Bay Packers
ADP ?

He's also lacking an ESPN Player Card. Jones has been breaking out in the preseason. He'll likely be Green Bay's WR3 to start the season, but I consider him to be a superior option to Greg Jennings, whom he'll overtake early in the season. Brett Favre has compared Jones to Sterling Sharpe. Favre says a lot of overly optimistic things these days, but that's a nice comparison to have.

Jerry Porter - WR - Oakland Raiders
ADP 125, 43.

Yes, the QB situation in Oakland is weak...everything about the Raiders is pretty weak. Porter averaged 970 yards and 7 TDs from 2004-05, before last season's big circus. Now he's somewhat of a forgotten man. Why not take a 12th round flier?

Brandon Marshall - WR - Denver Broncos
ADP 147.4, 57.

Marshall is a big target and should be starting WR2 for the Broncos this season. He's had several off-season injuries, but claims to feel great entering the season. There are several other options around to steal catches, and Marshall is still learning his way around the NFL, so expect inconsistency. Marshall's nickname is "Baby T.O.", which, assuming we're talking about ability and not mentality, that's very nice...let's hope it's not like "Baby Jordan".