Bobby E.'S ADVICE
QB Ryan Tannehill (Miami) – Tannehill lived up to expectations in 2014 and delivered for over 4,000 yards and 27 TDs against only 12 INTs. He was second to Lamar Miller in rushing and he now has three fine young receivers in Jarvis Landry, Ken Stills and DeVante Parker who will mesh with the talented quarterback. Additionally, the Dolphins added the veteran presences of Greg Jennings and new TE Jordan Cameron, so the Dolphins have plenty of weapons. Tannehill is in line for a 4,500 yard season, and considering you can get him in the ninth round; those are good dividends.
Also consider: Philip Rivers (San Diego), Carson Palmer (Arizona)
RB Latavius Murray (Oakland) – Murray was finally given an opportunity late last season and shined. He has great speed and vision to go along with a solid 6’3” 230lb frame. The only threat he has to his Touches is Roy Helu catching passes out of the backfield, but Murray projects to be a workhorse this season and should put up nice numbers, especially if QB David Carr continues to improve with each game.
Also consider: Carlos Hyde (San Francisco), Rashard Jennings (New York Giants)
WR Charles Johnson (Minnesota) – Johnson really gelled with QB Teddy Bridgewater last year as Teddy became more comfortable as the starting QB. In the Vikings last 7 games; CJ tallied 25 catches for 415 yards and 2 TDs. With the addition of RB Adrian Peterson and WR Mike Wallace, I expect Johnson to have more room to run his routes and make many more plays than last year and many more big plays. Johnson has great size and an existing rapport with Bridgewater. Wallace is a bigger name but Johnson will have a bigger impact as is a steal in round 9 and beyond.
Also consider: John Brown (Arizona), Marques Colston (New Orleans)
TE Richard Rodgers (Green Bay) – Actually, Rodgers qualifies as more of a true Sleeper than merely under-valued. Earlier this summer, the concern about Rodgers was how often QB Rodgers would look his way, but, since the season-ending injury to WR Jordy Nelson, Rodgers becomes more of a factor in the offense as defenses key on WR Randall Cobb and Rodgers looks to a group of relatively unfamiliar targets in Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Richard Rodgers. He is definitely worth a late pick in deeper leagues.
Also consider: Jordan Cameron (Miami), Charles Clay (Buffalo)
D Minnesota Vikings – the Vikings defense played very well last season, especially after the offense began to perform better. The entire unit is young especially as the offense matured and stayed on the field longer each game. This unit is young and fast. The front four are not household names, at least not outside of the state, but Brian Robinson, Shariff Floyd, Linval Joseph, and Everson Griffen are collectively more talented than 75% of the defensive front four units in the league. They were weak in the secondary last season but the addition of rookie Trae Waynes will help motivate the unit into playing better or losing their spot to him.