Note to self: Remember these supersleepers

By MICHAEL LEV, Senior editor
As published in print Aug. 17

Packers' Derrick Mayes

Be forewarned: Most of the players on our annual list of fantasy football supersleepers will not come through. Yep, that’s right, we’re conceding right now. Hitting on one of these guys is, to steal a line from "Saving Private Ryan," like finding a needle in a stack of needles.

So why bother? Why waste your time and this space? Because it isn’t a waste of time. Really. A list of supersleepers is a very valuable commodity when you have run out of ideas in the later rounds of a fantasy draft (especially if you’re in a big league with big rosters). Sure, you can pick Thurman Thomas or Daryl Johnston — and be branded as "BORING!" by your fellow drafters. Or, you can rock the room by pulling a supersleeper out of deep left field.

They may be a bunch of long, long, long shots, but these guys have an upside if certain things break right. The Thomases and Johnstons of the world don’t.

(Supersleepers are listed in alphabetical order.)

RB Kenny Bynum, Chargers — Just ask yourself this question: When was the last time Natrone Means, San Diego’s starting tailback, lasted an entire season? Answer: 1994, during his first tour of duty with the Chargers. Bynum is next in line.

QB Randall Cunningham, Vikings — Brad Johnson, Minnesota’s starting quarterback, is reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehab from a nerve problem that caused him to lose strength in his throwing hand. Then again, Johnson’s next 16-game season will be his first. If Johnson were to get hurt, Cunningham steps into an ideal situation; the Viking WR corps is loaded.

QB Steve DeBerg, Falcons — The 35-year-old Cunningham just isn’t old enough. DeBerg, now he’s a real old-timer. Forty-four at last check, and no NFL action since 1993. But you know what? His teammates say his arm is as strong as ever. And you know Chris Chandler (a.k.a. "Crystal Chandelier") will miss some action.

RB Ahman Green, Seahawks — Green has looked anything but in camp so far. He’s stuck behind Ricky Watters for now, but some feel Watters’ production will soon dry up after several years of heavy duty. Plus, Dennis Erickson has always rotated his runners, and that could put Green in a Byron Hanspard-esque, change-of-pace role.

RB Skip Hicks, Redskins — Terry Allen is somewhere between Watters and Emmitt Smith on the on-the-verge-of-hitting-the-wall meter. Hicks has been impressive in camp so far and will be the No. 1 option if (when?) Allen gets hurt.

RB Leon Johnson, Jets — The concerns about Curtis Martin’s durability have been well-documented. Bill Parcells is counting on Martin to carry the load this season and beyond. If you’re a non-believer, draft Johnson. He showed big-play potential as a rookie in ’97, when he finished third in the AFC in punt-return average.

TE Damon Jones, Jaguars — Jacksonville’s starter, Pete Mitchell, is a workmanlike player. Jones can be special. He caught two TD passes in the Jaguars’ final four games last season.

WR Derrick Mayes, Packers — Mayes is one of the best temps in the business. With Robert Brooks shelved for at least the rest of the exhibition season after minor back surgery, Mayes is starting opposite Antonio Freeman. If Brooks’ injury problems should linger, you’ve got one of Brett Favre’s top targets on your roster.

RB Michael Pittman, Cardinals — The rookie out of Fresno State is currently playing second fiddle to trade acquisition Adrian Murrell. The Cardinals are high on Murrell, but his former coach, Parcells, apparently wasn’t. Murrell is more scatback than slammer, and his production fell off in the second half of ’97. If Murrell fades again, Pittman steps in.

RB Duce Staley, Eagles — A second-year man out of South Carolina, Staley is Philadelphia’s second-string back behind Charlie Garner. But the diminutive Garner (5-9, 187) has never been the most durable player. Staley is bigger (5-11, 222) and stronger.

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