Sleeper Watch

Seahawks WR Koren Robinson is going off the board very early in the drafts we’ve been seeing, and justifiably so. Five touchdown receptions and 1240 yards are pretty impressive numbers for a second-year receiver, and he’ll bring a smile to many fantasy owners’ faces this season. No doubt about it, Robinson deserves the praise he’s been getting… but why is teammate Darrell Jackson receiving so little attention?

Fresh off a somewhat surprising 1000 yard season in 2001, Jackson looked primed for a big year, but his campaign was derailed by a devastating concussion in week 8 following a hit by Dallas’ Darren Woodson. After being taken to the locker room, Jackson suffered a seizure, and it initially looked as if his season would be over. Many fantasy owners certainly believed Jackson was done, and his name could be found on countless waiver lists by Monday morning.

Jackson was far from done, however. After missing three weeks, he returned to action and racked up 500 yards and four scores in the final six games of the season, turning into a difference-maker for owners astute enough to stick with him or grab him for the fantasy playoffs.

Now, Jackson looks to build on this tremendous comeback, and all signs point to him having an excellent 2003 season. With opposing defenses often concentrating on stopping Robinson (not to mention Shaun Alexander), Jackson will find plenty of holes in opponents’ defensive schemes to exploit. A more experienced Matt Hasselbeck won’t hurt, either.