Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Brad Berreman
- Edited by Marc Caviglia

Everybody knows who the top 10 or even 15 players are at each fantasy relevant position and that why it’s a no-brainer to target guys who consistently produce monster fantasy football numbers such as Aaron Rodgers, Adrian Peterson, Andre Johnson, and Antonio Gates. Often times what separates a good fantasy team from a great one is the owner who finds value in the second half of his or her fantasy draft. These later-round difference makers are referred to as fantasy football sleepers or undervalued players.

Sleepers are typically lesser known players or those with one or two NFL seasons under their belts, while undervalued players tend to be overlooked veterans, or guys who let down fantasy owners for one reason or another the previous season. Sometimes a player’s situation gives owners pause and his draft position takes a hit. Whether a player is a true sleeper or simply undervalued, he must meet the following criteria: (1) he’s likely to outperform his preseason ranking and projections; (2) he’ll deliver a much higher return on your investment (i.e., draft pick or auction price); and (3) he isn’t a rookie (except for a kicker).

Now that you know how we determine who made the cut, check out our 2011 Fantasy Football Sleeper Team Defense.

Detroit Lions D/ST
2010 Stats: 23.1 points per game, 343.6 yards per game, 44 sacks, 14 interceptions, 16 forced fumbles

Last year’s No.2 overall pick Ndamukong Suh made an instant impact on the Lions’ defense, as he had 10 of the team’s 44 sacks. This marked the first time since 1999 that Detroit has recorded over 40 sacks in a season.  While Suh spent his Sunday’s putting pressure on the quarterback, the rest of the defense did a good job of forcing turnovers. The Lions had two or more takeaways in a game eight times last season, and they scored a defensive touchdown in three of those contests.  Most importantly, the defense matured throughout the year and showed promise at the end. They forced seven turnovers and recorded 12 sacks during a 4-0 stretch to end the season.

This year’s Round 1 selection, Nick Fairley, should further bolster the interior of the defensive line and safety Louis Delmas (62 tackles) is a rising star. The Lions also addressed one of their biggest weaknesses when they signed linebacker’s Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant. Tulloch’s 159 tackles in 2010 ranked No. 2 in the NFL and he immediately makes the defense better. Health is always a concern for Durant, however he’s averaged over five tackles per game during his career. The additions of Eric Wright and Eric Coleman add depth to the secondary as well.  The Lions allowed 25 or more points seven times last season, however they added some missing pieces to the puzzle and are primed to be a top 10 fantasy defense in 2011.