Post-Hype All Stars

When Rotoworld started in 1999, fantasy hype barely existed. There weren't enough websites and magazines, much less television coverage, to create buzz around certain players. Now it's hard to avoid all the hype. One remedy: look for post-hype players.

This is the third annual list of Post-Hype All Stars. They are last year's cool kids. They are sleepers that slipped into comas, but are showing signs of life. I detailed my criteria for Post-Hypeness a few years back. We're targeting four qualities: elite skills, opportunity, and value, with a dose of youth sprinkled in. Established superstars don't make the cut.

The key is value. Take a hard look at why a player didn't live up to expectations. If Fantasy Nation's frustrated perception of the player overly knocks value, then he might be a Post Hype All Star.

Last season's list had some big hits (Ben Roethlisberger, Ronnie Brown, Jason Witten, LenDale White, and Matt Hasselbeck), and it's share of misses (Troy Williamson and Byron Leftwich anyone?). Let's see who makes the cut this season .

Quarterbacks

Vince Young, Titans

Second-year quarterbacks aren't supposed to get taken as a high level fantasy starter, but Vince Young's rookie season broke all the rules. After crashing down to Earth, he's no longer going in the top 125 picks. His true value lies in the middle, making him an excellent target as a QB2 pick.

No other quarterback will bring the rushing value that Young does. His legs are healthier than last season, and the rushing yards stabilize his weekly output. He only needs modest improvements in the passing game, and new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's offense plans to go vertical more often. Young has a far higher ceiling than quarterbacks going in front of him like Jake Delhomme and Philip Rivers.

Note:See where Young is ranked in our online draft guide

Matt Leinart, Cardinals

Rotoworld pegged Leinart as a bust last season, and his lackluster work habits are troubling for a young quarterback. Still, no other late-round pick is throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. After going in the eighth round last year, Leinart is now slipping to the twelth.

No matter what Ken Whisenhunt says, this will be a pass first offense. Leinart doesn't have ideal job security, but he's the perfect QB2 if you draft a top-shelf quarterback. If Leinart lives up to his potential, you can flip him for help at another position.

Honorable Mention:Alex Smith

Running Backs

Reggie Bush, Saints

The poster boy for Post-Hype, 2008. Frankly, I'm torn about Bush. I have seen very little watching almost all of his games to indicate he's a special talent. With that said, he's put up useful production, especially in points per reception (PPR) leagues because he gets the ball so much. He is certainly motivated to get his career on track and worked out with the team far more this summer.

Even the ADP data can't agree on Bush. Some indicate he's going in the late second round, some say the late third. He was a consensus top-ten pick last season. He won't live up to that while splitting carries, but Bush's anti-hype should work in his favor. PPR owners should not overlook him in the second round.

Note: Bush is an intriguing pick in the scoring system used by The NBC Sports Fantasy Championship. Can you take home the $100,000

Brandon Jacobs, Giants

Yes, much of Jacobs' hype last season was coming from Rotoworld. And yes, we received many an angry emails when Jacobs left a game early. But look beneath the numbers and you'll find that Jacobs was a difference maker, despite the injuries.

In our second magazine, Matt Ball used a stat called "Stud Factor" to determine what players provided consistent advantages for owners. Jacobs only played 11 games, but he finished among the top 32 backs in all eleven. He cracked the top ten backs in six of those games. Jacobs is slipping to the end of the third round in most drafts, but he still has the biggest top-five potential among the RB2 group.

Brandon Jackson, Packers

It's all about expectations. As a potential starter last year, Jackson shrunk under the pressure and was a huge bust. As a handcuff for Ryan Grant owners this season that is often going undrafted, Jackson has plenty of bounce back potential at a cheap price.

Honorable Mention:Frank Gore, Laurence Maroney, Jerious Norwood

Wide Receivers

Lee Evans, Bills

2007 was supposed to be the year Lee Evans turned from excellent to elite. Instead he turned into a poor man's Bernard Berrian. While his third round grade from last season looks wildly optimistic in hindsight, his chances for a rebound look strong. Trent Edwards showed signs of being a capable starter, and should improve in year two. Evans also gets tasty non-conference matchups against the NFC West. That makes his current sixth-round ADP a fine value.

Mark Clayton, Ravens

Clayton's third year "leap" was off a cliff. He was taken in the seventh round based on a strong sophomore season, but got buried in an avalanche of hamstring injuries and six-yard passes to Derrick Mason. The quarterback situation remains murky, lowering Clayton's ceiling, but he's very talented for a player who is going in the fourteenth round.

Vincent Jackson, Chargers

Here's what I wrote in our sleeper list in the draft guide: Now that he's off most sleeper lists, Jackson is ready to emerge. If Antonio Gates struggles whatsoever, Jackson will pick up the catches over the middle, like he did during the three playoff games that totaled 300 yards and three scores.

Jackson is going more than 30 spots later than he did a year ago, but now has important experience as a starter in Norv Turner's system.

Drew Bennett, Rams

For some reason, owners expected big production from Bennett when he was the third receiver in St. Louis. Now they expect virtually no production when he's a starter that will see lots of targets. The truth, as usual, is in the middle. So is the fantasy value.

Reggie Brown, Eagles

Going into last season, Brown was taken in the fifth round, while teammate Kevin Curtis went in the tenth. Now the two have completely flip-flopped. Brown won't ever be a consistent WR2 in fantasy leagues, but he's talented enough to out-produce his ADP. The Eagles passing attack improved as last season wore on, and should improve in the red zone. If history is any indication, Philly's production at receiver will balance out.

Honorable Mention:D.J. Hackett, Brandon Jones, Patrick Crayton

Tight Ends

Vernon Davis, 49ers

Davis defines hype: His insane combine numbers and scary Under Armour commercials sent fans into a frenzy. While it's clear Davis reads some of his own clippings, perhaps at the expense of his playbook, Fantasy Nation has cooled on the kid. He's going nearly 20 spots lower in drafts than last year despite getting Mike Martz on his side. This team will throw more often and with more success, however relative. Davis should finally be worth his draft slot.

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars

It was hard to find many post-hype candidates at tight end because so few are coming off disappointing seasons. Ben Watson fits the qualifications, but we don't believe he'll ever be a consistent option. Marcedes Lewis has a better shot. He's worth more in PPR leagues because he doesn't make plays after the catch, but he could grab 60 passes as a waiver pickup.