Sleeper Spotlight: New Orleans Saints
As part of the premium content package, we’re not only releasing exclusive team capsules (complete with commentary), but also focusing on one sleeper from all 32 teams in the NFL.
These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about than we had room for in the dynasty capsules for each team. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.
We’ll just never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” that includes such names as Demaryius Thomas, Ryan Mathews or even someone like Stevan Ridley. You’re all too good for that.
While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, we figure there’s value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and even re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league. You may even consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.
Adrian Arrington, WR
Age: 26 (11/7/1985)
Adrian Arrington spent most of 2011 watching from the sidelines with a torn meniscus. He made it back for the last couple of games and the playoff run but was worked in slowly getting playing time on approximately 20-30% of the snaps. Arrington will spend training camp and the preseason fighting Joe Morgan (who also sat in 2011) and rookie Nick Toon for the WR4 spot on the Saints depth chart.
While the WR4 on most teams isn’t a coveted fantasy asset, this is the Saints we’re talking about. And of course fantasy players breathed a sigh of relief a couple of weeks ago when uber-stud Drew Brees inked a new (and rather lucrative) long term deal. In 2011, the Saints led the league in passing yards, were essentially tied with Detroit for passing attempts, and were second behind Green Bay for passing TDs. Make no mistake – this will continue with or without Sean Payton.
Now for the downside. While grabbing a piece of the prolific Saints passing attack would be nice, the WR4 hasn’t been a reliable fantasy option in years past. The departure of Robert Meachem should open up opportunity, but will it be enough?
When I look at the Saints wide receiver group, it’s oddly underwhelming for a team that generates so much passing offense. Marques Colston is a perennial injury risk, Devery Henderson is erratic, but I am a fan of Lance Moore. Of course I would be remiss not to mention that Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas all get significant targets as well. The question is what happens in the event Colston gets hurt or Henderson fails to develop some degree of consistency? Just being the WR4 isn’t going to generate sufficient targets even in this offense to provide fantasy value. The hope is for something to happen that yields more snaps. And it’s not hard to imagine that happening.
Arrington should be the slight favorite to win the spot on the depth chart. He has the most experience in the system, was re-signed to a one year deal on the exclusive rights tag in February, and Nick Toon is a solid but somewhat underwhelming prospect.
Arrington is a deep sleeper. He’s going undrafted in many start-ups and is just outside of our top 250 list of offensive players. If you are have a roster spot or haven’t cut your kicker, there’s no harm in taking a flier on Arrington and seeing what shakes out in the preseason.
Editor’s Note: Tim Stafford can be found @dynastytim on twitter and in the forums as dlf_tims.
