Yo, Adrian!

Ken Kelly Posted On August 25, 2010

We’re heavy into drafting season for fantasy football leagues across the country.

Dynasty league owners are adding their rookies, but also combing through as much information as possible to find some deep sleepers.

As we’ve said before, it’s pretty safe to list players like Mike Wallace, Shonn Greene, and Arian Foster as sleepers, but most of the fantasy community knows who those players are.

Let’s continue having some real fun.

This installment focuses on some deep sleeper wide receivers. These players are each turning heads in camp in an effort to make their respective teams. While they may not make an immediate impact in fantasy leagues this season, they most certainly need to be on the radar of dynasty owners.

Patience and research is always rewarded in dynasty leagues when it comes to player mining. We’ve done the research, so you can handle the rest.

Adrian Arrington, New Orleans

Arrington is the poster child for college teams attempting to talk their kids out of leaving early.

Arrington had 67 catches for 882 yards, and eight touchdowns as a Junior at Michigan before declaring a year early. He was subsequently drafted by New Orleans in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Arrington was always overshadowed by fellow Wolverine Mario Manningham, but he would have most certainly stayed in school had he known he’d drop so far in the draft.

His career in New Orleans has been a total nightmare thus far. Turf toe and hamstring injuries have kept him off the field the past two years.

He’s finally got himself healthy this preseason and it’s showing on the field.

Arrington had three receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Texans in Saturday’s preseason game. This followed his 87 yard, four catch performance against New England the week before.

While Arrington is buried on the depth chart, there’s no doubting his ability. He’s a name to watch around cut day. If he makes the final roster or gets picked up by a different team after being waived, he’s roster worthy in deep dynasty leagues.

Stephen Williams, Arizona Cardinals

Williams is a 6’5″ undrafted wide receiver from Toledo. He helped the Rockets with 79 receptions for 1,065 yards, and five touchdowns last season playing opposite Freshman phenom Eric Page.

This former track star was left untouched in the 2010 NFL Draft, but Arizona beat writers think they have a steal after the Cardinals signed him as an undrafted free agent. From the very beginning of camp, he’s done nothing but impress the coaching staff.

His stock has been elevated over the last week as he stepped in with the first team offense in Larry Fitzgerald’s absence. Many thought his presence with the first team would only hold up in practice, but he started Monday night’s game and paced the Cardinals with 59 yards on three catches.

Andre Roberts was supposed to be the rookie to step up in Arizona, but it’s been Williams making his mark so far.

He’s an immediate pickup in deep dynasty leagues.

Seyi Ajirotutu, San Diego Chargers

I’ve been very excited to see if Ajirotutu could show any ability this preseason in an effort to make the Chargers squad. That answer came this week as he led the Chargers with three catches for 71 yards.

Ajirotutu has a good combination of size and speed and has shown the ability to make some big plays, despite his modest 677 yards, and seven touchdowns he posted last season for the Fresno State Bulldogs. Those numbers are deceiving to people who watched him play, though.

Anyone who scouted Ryan Mathews last season will tell you Ajirotutu is highly underrated. He was widely regarded as an underutilized and untapped talent in college.

He likely has the smallest chance of these players to make his respective team, but he merits watching.

Remember, the Chargers aren’t exactly bursting at the seams with promising wideouts right now.

Dominique Zeigler, San Francisco

This former undrafted free agent from Baylor is making a serious push to make the 49ers this year.

Zeigler was actually pretty close to making the team last year, but San Francisco was able to sneak him on their practice squad. With all the receiver needy teams out there this year, there’s no chance of replicating that feat.

He’s a smaller receiver at just 190 pounds, but there’s little doubting his talent. In fact, the San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier this week that Zeigler has a lock on the No. 4 wide receiver spot.

When you consider the lack of quality depth outside of Michael Crabtree, Zeigler becomes a pretty intriguing stash in dynasty league circles.

SUMMARY

While you may read through these player profiles and scoff, the true definition of a sleeper is a player not many know about who rises to fantasy prominence.

Remember, players like Willie Parker, Marques Colston, and Miles Austin were all on this list in previous years.

These four are all serious candidates for roster consideration in dynasty leagues.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK