Sleeper Watch

He got kicked out of town to make room for Byron Leftwich, but a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered for Mark Brunell.

Brunell had several succesful seasons in Jacksonville, with his best campaign coming in ‘96, when he threw for over 4000 yards and led the second-year Jags into the AFC Championship game.

Last year, Brunell started the first three games for Jacksonville, and compiled 484 yards passing, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. However, a minor injury knocked him out of the lineup, creating an opening for rookie Byron Leftwich. When Brunell was ready to play again, the job was no longer his, and this off-season, he was traded to the Redskins.

In Washington, Brunell has as much, if not more, talent to work with at the wide reciver postion then he ever did in Jacksonville. The top three Redskin wideouts have all been a number one option on a team before, and Clinton Portis has no problems catching balls out of the backfield.

The talented Portis should provide Brunell with plenty of room, as teams will have to respect the run. Brunell can also scramble himself on occasion, as his legs are still better then those of the average QB.

If you are in the late rounds of your draft and already have a solid thrower, consider taking a chance on Brunell, who could serve not only as insurance, but as trade bait later in the season.
 

Sleeper contributed by Matthew Andenora. More of Matthew?s insights and opinions can be found in the Cafe Forums, where he posts as footballfreak449.