Summer Sleeper: New Orleans Saints
With less than a month before all training camps have opened around the NFL, we begin our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL.
These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. 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 never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” that includes such names as Lamar Miller, Chris Ivory or Danny Amendola. You’re all too good for that.
While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or 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.
Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!
The 2012 NFL season was a surreal one for the New Orleans Saints following bounty-gate and the season long suspension of head coach Sean Payton. The Saints seemingly fell apart and had their worst record since 2007, missing the playoffs along the way. With Payton and most of the key players on offense back in 2013, the expectations for the Saints are back to their typical high point.
The Saints offense is littered with fantasy studs, headlined by quarterback Drew Brees, tight end Jimmy Graham, wide receiver Marques Colston and slot receiver labeled as a running back Darren Sproles. With players like this around you, it can be easy to get overlooked by the average NFL fan or fantasy football player, but there are some up and coming players to watch in the Big Easy.
Nick Toon, WR NO
The Saints made former Wisconsin wide receiver Nick Toon their fourth round pick in 2012, but his rookie season never got off the ground. Toon was still nursing a foot injury that hampered him during his senior season as a Badger. Rather than forcing a speedy recovery only to be buried on the wide receiver depth chart, the Saints sent Toon for surgery and placed him on the injured reserve list. Many consider this a “redshirt” year for Toon.
The opportunity that may not have been present a year ago is there now. New Orleans’ starting wide receivers are expected to be veterans Colston and Lance Moore. Both have been excellent players for the Saints (and should continue to be in 2013), but both will also be on the wrong side of 30 years old by the week one kickoff. The Saints must soon consider who will take over the starting receiver spots Colston and Moore will leave behind.
Wide receiver Joseph Morgan was touted as a sleeper this time last year and he did not let us down. What he lacked in consistency, he made up for in his big play ability, averaging over nearly 38 yards per reception. While this is an unreal statistic, it is difficult to count on Morgan establishing himself as anything more than an occasional deep threat. With the departure of Devery Henderson, it will be key to watch who earns the nearly fifty targets in the Saints explosive offense. Along with Morgan, Toon is the top choice.
At 6’2” and well over 200 pounds, Toon plays more like a tight end with a wide receiver’s hands, similar to his teammate Colston. Toon does lack top speed, but as the son of former Jets star wide receiver Al Toon, he knows the ins and outs of the position as well as any incoming player could. Toon is an above average route runner and his size makes him an ideal redzone target.
Despite some periods of hype this off-season, Toon remains a value that can be had as late as the eighteenth round of startup drafts. He can also likely be found on the waiver wire of many established leagues. With targets available and the players ahead of him aging, Toon is an ideal stash in dynasty leagues.
Travaris Cadet, RB NO
Travaris Cadet was an undrafted rookie free agent from Appalachian State. Like many players, Cadet was impressive during preseason action as a rookie in 2012 – this helped to put his name on the radar for many dynasty owners. What followed was Cadet predictably being buried in a crowded backfield headlined by Sproles and Mark Ingram, not to mention veteran Pierre Thomas. At 6’1” and 210 pounds, Cadet dwarfs Sproles, yet due to his speed and kick return skills, he draws comparisons to him as well.
There is little reason to think the Saints would veer from the plan of the past few seasons which have seen Sproles used primarily as a receiver out of the backfield, while Thomas and Ingram share early down carries, but an injury to Sproles could open the door for Cadet to see an increased role. Obviously, we would not wish an injury on Sproles (or any player), but it’s important to be proactive, looking ahead at all possibilities. It is also important to note that like the Saints top wideouts, Sproles is 30 years old. His game is built on speed and as that speed deteriorates, so does his fantasy value. Could the Saints view Cadet as next in line for the Sproles role?
Cadet has almost no dynasty value right now. He is on the waiver wire in every one of my many leagues, including those with 25 or more roster spots. While I would not advise rushing out to add Cadet to your team, I would closely monitor the Saints backfield situation and be ready to pounce on the waiver wire in case of an injury.
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