Preparing for a Fantasy Football draft is a complicated process, a bit of a sweet science. Everyone will take a different approach into molding his or her teams. The most important thing you need to know is the type of league. Is it a rotisserie league or a head-to-head league? Are you awarded points for yardage or is it a touchdown only league? Does the league re-draft annually? Is it a keeper or a dynasty league? However, no matter the type of league you're a part, one thing remains the same throughout, if you find a sleeper, you will give all the other owners headaches.
A sleeper is that player that you find in the later rounds that ends up producing at a higher level than expected. Sleeper picks are not relegated to just the skills position, they indeed are found at all positions.
Kickers have never been, nor will they ever be a sexy fantasy pick. It is not too often that you come out of your draft talking about the kicker you drafted and how he is going to lead you to fantasy glory. That being said, kickers remain a vital part of a fantasy football team and should not be overlooked, nor should they be forgotten about as sleepers. To help you identify this year's batch of kicker sleepers, Bruno Boys Fantasy Football has compiled its annual Bruno Boys Kicker "Snooze Alarm" Rankings.
Ranking System: The higher the "Snooze Alarm" Ranking, the more sleeper value the player has.
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Josh Scobee - Jacksonville Jaguars
Topping the list with THREE SNOOZE ALARMS is Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee. Scobee headed into 2007 with the expectations of being a number one fantasy kicker. He had a nice 2006 campaign connecting on 26 of 32 field goals and 41 of 41 extra points. Owners who drafted Scobee were left disappointed as Scobee ended up missing half the season with a quadriceps injury. In his eight games played Scobee did prove to be accurate hitting 12 of 13 field goal attempts and 26 of 27 extra points, but with only 62 points scored on the season and the risk of injuries, Scobee will be available in the last round of fantasy drafts as a number two fantasy option. Scobee is currently ranked # 14 in the 2008 Bruno Boys Cheat Sheets, but the Jaguars should return a potent offensive attack this season and if Scobee stays healthy, he can be a number one fantasy kicker again this season and undervalued as a last round pick.
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Taylor Mehlhaff - New Orleans Saints
Receiving TWO SNOOZE ALARMS is New Orleans Saints' rookie kicker Taylor Mehlhaff. Mehlhaff is a two time All Big Ten and a 2007 first team All American kicker drafted by the Saints in the sixth round out of Wisconsin. Mehlhaff is not assured the starting job in New Orleans, but his competition is inconsistent veteran kicker Martin Gramatica whom the Saints picked up at the end of last season to replace an ineffective Olindo Mare. The Bruno Boys have Mehlhaff ranked as the number 26 kicker overall and he should be available in the last round. This rookie is worth a flier and when he takes over the starting job, he and his owners will love him playing for the high-powered Saints in the Superdome.
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Joe Nedney - San Francisco
Joe Nedney also entered 2007 as a potential number one fantasy kicker, but the 49ers anemic offense only led to 19 field goal attempts and left Nedney as waiver fodder. Enter 2008 and with the edition of new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Nedney receives ONE SNOOZE ALARM from the Bruno Boys. With Martz calling the shots, the Niners should score more points and offer more field goal opportunities for Nedney. The Bruno Boys rank Nedney as the number 27 kicker overall, but feel he is another last round pick with a potential higher value. Look at Jason Hanson of the Detroit Lions, who under Martz attempted 35 field goals and scored 128 points in 2007 and you'll see why we like Nedney's chances for a solid 2008.
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Position by Position BUST Rankings (click to view)
Bring out the Pepto (Bust) Rankings - Quarterbacks
Bring out the Pepto (Bust) Rankings - Running Backs
Bring out the Pepto (Bust) Rankings - Wide Receivers
Bring out the Pepto (Bust) Rankings - Tight Ends
Bring out the Pepto (Bust) Rankings - Kickers
Bring out the Pepto (Bust) Rankings - Team Defenses
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Position by Position Sleeper Rankings (click to view)
Snooze Alarm (Sleeper) Rankings - Quarterbacks
Snooze Alarm (Sleeper) Rankings - Running Backs
Snooze Alarm (Sleeper) Rankings - Wide Receivers
Snooze Alarm (Sleeper) Rankings - Tight Ends
Snooze Alarm (Sleeper) Rankings - Kickers
Snooze Alarm (Sleeper) Rankings - Team Defenses
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