Young Guns: 2013 Preseason

By Dave Schefke
@daveschefke9 on Twitter

With Fantasy Football fever in the air (and me keeping to my golden rule of not joining a league...ever), I figured I'd make my first 2013 read on some of my rookie and second year sleeper/breakout candidates, starting with the AFC so I can cover every team. Always a great area for discussion and, of course, argument. Some are locks, some are long shots. Did anyone grab these guys for their team?

BUFFALO- Not buying into the hype on your rookie QB. Hope someone grabbed C.J. Spiller and will gamble on him staying healthy.

MIAMI- Tannehill/Miller. Tannehill is poised for a breakout year with management actually spending money this year and getting some talent around him. This guy oozes talent. With Reggie Bush gone, it's fellow second-year teammate Lamar Miller's starting job to lose, because this guy looks good and has huge sleeper potential. And don't tell me he's "neck and neck" with Daniel Thomas. Unless you're telling a joke.

PATRIOTS- Brady has a habit of making everyone around him a lot better than they should be. I'll take that pattern with rookie WR Aaron Dobson. With a lack of WR depth, he's going to get his chance and, so far, he looks very comfortable.
***Ryan Mallett - I have to throw this guy in. I've been huge on Mallett since his draft in 2011. He boasts the 2nd strongest arm in the league and he's riding the pine. He's 6'7" and is learning in the Pats organization, which means it's only a matter of time before he's starting somewhere...and winning games.

JETS- Your team sucks. Have fun going 3-13 this year. And, no, Geno Smith is not that good if he's battling Mark Sanchez for the starting gig.

RAVENS- They're taking a step back this year, but Bernard Pierce is not. He should have a pretty good season.

BENGALS- In my opinion, this is the most exciting team to watch this year. WR Mohamed Sanu is going to be good now that he's healthy. With top coverage going to the league's 2nd best receiver at the opposite side of the gridiron, Sanu should get plenty of 1 on 1 coverage, which he can definitely exploit. I'm very high on Tyler Eifert. The Notre Dame product is NFL ready and set to make an immediate impact as the top rookie tight end. And the biggest sleeper on this team:  the diminutive Giovani Bernard. Sit back and watch him go. He steals the starting job by week 3.

BROWNS- Weeden/Richardson. I am pleased to say I have defended Weeden for over a year while people complained about his age and skill alike. The guy is a legit NFL starter. Most people I've talked to or read think Richardson is going to have a sophomore slump. I don't buy that. Cleveland is going to raise some eyebrows this year (By that I mean they can be a .500 team)

STEELERS- Bell/Jones. If he can get back to being (and staying) healthy, The MSU running back is going to be legit. Not flashy, but very solid on a good team that is desperate for a running game. Jarvis Jones is going to turn some heads as well. He looks to be a very quick learner.

TEXANS- Hopkins. Say hello to 2013's second-best rookie WR. Another guy that needs to stay healthy, he can be absolutely electric on this offense. Flat out fun to watch.

COLTS- Luck/Hilton/Fleener. Yes, Luck is a sleeper. He's going to be THAT good. I despise when sports commentators oogle and worship players, but I have no problem tagging Luck as "elite"...he's the next huge QB in the NFL.  T.Y. Hilton continues to be one of the league's biggest WR sleepers (that tag will be gone after this season) And Fleener's college and first year chemistry with Luck, along with his ridiculously strong progress should pay off handsomely if the guy can stay healthy. But that's a big "if" and will have Colts fans frustrated all year.

TITANS- Hunter(?). The question mark is because this kid could be really, really good but he has a lot working against him. First, he's a pansy. Secondly, his QB is Jake Locker. We'll see if the coaching staff can at least toughen him up a bit.

JAGS- I will use this space to mock you for passing Russell Wilson in favor of a punter. Wait, my bad...you do have a good QB...Gabbert...wait, I lied. But that Denard guy is going to be fun to watch. 3-13 bound, baby! 

BRONCO-NATION! My fellow Bronco Fans! We have much to be excited about this year, but it's not our rookies. I honestly don't think Montee Ball is going to be that good this year. No, second-year RB Ronnie Hillman is not the answer, either. I'll probably get a lot of arguments here, but I just don't see it. Osweiler is going to be good but he's not getting off the bench with Captain America in the saddle.

CHIEFS- A.J. Jenkins. The first round bust should have a chip on his shoulder with everyone saying what a terrible trade he was for Jon Baldwin (another bust) This guy has the size and the skills, but lacks the confidence. Should be interesting to see what he does with a weak WR corps and Alex Smith at the helm.

RAIDERS- I thought Tyler Wilson was going to be good but it appears I was wrong. And with Hillsdale College (represent!!!) Alum Jared Veldheer injured for a while, this team is going to be extra-bad this year.

CHARGERS- Te'o will be OK, but I won't call him a sleeper or breakout candidate. This team bores me. Every year.