Sleeper Watch

Last season, Byron Leftwich showed considerable promise as a rookie, but his overall production – 2819 yards passing, 14 passing TDs, 16 interceptions, 73.0 rating – left him in the middle of the quarterback pack in most fantasy scoring systems. This year, that may well change.

Leftwich made significant strides in his first campaign, and wound up leading the Jaguars to wins in the team’s final four home games (against Indianapolis, Tampa Bay, Houston and New Orleans). He proved himself to be a quick learner, and by the end of the season, the seventh overall pick no longer resembled the player who had tossed three interceptions and lost a key fumble in his first NFL start back in late September.

Combine that year of experience and his high upside with the signing of first-round draft choice Reggie Williams, who racked up 3536 yards and 22 scores at Washington, and things start looking good for Leftwich. Throw in Jacksonville’s relatively easy schedule, and he becomes a player well worth keeping in mind when putting together a team. Considering how far he’s been slipping in many of this year’s drafts, he could turn into quite a bargain.