IDP Sleepers
DE Cliff Avril, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Avril took over at right end in week 14 last season after an injury to Dewayne White and looks liable to keep the job going into 2009. White should bounce over to the left, leaving Avril to man the same position in Gunther Cunningham's defense that Jared Allen occupied during his time in Kansas City. Avril had five sacks and four forced fumbles in limited opportunities last year and could be an IDP force this season as a starter in the re-tooled Lions defensive system.
DE Derrick Harvey, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
Harvey wrapped up an otherwise quiet rookie campaign with two sacks and seven stops against Baltimore in the season finale. An extended holdout set him up for a slow start last season. But, with his pass-rushing abilities (29 QB pressures), Harvey shows more potential than most give him credit for. Blessed with great speed and decent size, Harvey is far too young and too talented to be passed over this early in his career. He'll open the season as a starter and is a candidate for a breakout sophomore season.
DT Brandon Mebane, ---
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
The Seattle defensive front was in a state of flux this off-season. Rocky Bernard signed with the Giants in free agency, Colin Cole came over from the Buccaneers and Cory Redding was acquired in the trade for Julian Peterson. Cole, Mebane and Redding will all see plenty of playing time as the Seahawks want to maximize production from a D-line group that underperformed last season. Mebane will see opportunities in the pass-rush playing more three technique, with Cole likely to be used up front to occupy blockers and Redding splitting his time between end and tackle. Mebane is deceptively quick for a guy his size and should improve on the 5.5 sacks he notched in 2008.
LB Akeem Jordan, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
When Omar Gaither was benched mid-season, Jordan took advantage. In six short weeks he posted 44 tackles and was a big reliable presence in coverage. Jordan is a step or two quicker than his rival and blanketed opposing backs and tight ends when he assumed the starting role. Though he didn't record any picks or sacks last season, he showed heads-up play with two fumble recoveries. Gaither won't give up without a fight, but Jordan seems to have the inside track to open the season starting as the weak side starter.
LB Lawrence Timmons, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
FANTASY PROFILE / STATS & MORE
I'm not even sure if Timmons should be on this list. Sure, he only started two games last season, but he still notched an impressive five sacks and 65 tackles in limited playing time. With Larry Foote out of the picture, Timmons will start inside next to James Farrior and should be a three-down player. He likely won't approach Farrior's tackle numbers, but his big play potential makes him a worthwhile fantasy selection nonetheless.
