Sleeper Watch

Browns linebacker Andra Davis was ignored in practically all fantasy drafts this year. After all, who wants a second-year linebacker who made a grand total of 19 tackles and five assists (as well as one interception) in limited action last year?

Not so fast. In the first two games this season, Davis has already equaled those 19 solo tackles, with eight against Indianapolis and eleven against Jamal Lewis and the Ravens. Over that span, only Mike Barrow (22) and Sam Cowart (20) have more.

Davis appears to have more talent than most scouts gave him credit for, but above all, he’s in a fantastic situation to put up solid fantasy numbers. Cleveland’s defensive line has been a huge disappointment so far, and while that doesn’t bode well for Browns fans, it does mean that the linebackers will have lots of opportunities to make stops. Davis, playing in the middle, should put up the best nembers of a group that also includes Ben Taylor and Kevin Bentley.

In leagues with individual defensive players, consistent tackling is the mark of a top linebacker, and Davis looks like he’ll fit that description perfectly this year. If you concentrated on offense while other owners grabbed the big-name defenders, picking up Andre Davis off the waiver wire looks like a great way to make up lost ground.