Sleeper Watch

Fantasy owners are justifiably intrigued by Detroit’s two first-round draft picks, WR Roy Williams and RB Kevin Jones, but IDP leaguers shouldn’t forget the players selected by the Lions in the later rounds. Teddy Lehman, in particular, is a young defender worth keeping an eye on.

The fourth linebacker drafted this year (behind Jonathan Vilma, DJ Williams, and Karlos Dansby), Lehman will be asked to plug the hole at weakside LB created by the departure of veteran Barrett Green, who will be suiting up for the Giants this fall. And Lehman is expected to meet that challenge head on, with the intensity and drive that made him a force to be reckoned with at Oklahoma. There are still some concerns about his size, but his toughness and instincts for making key plays are unquestioned.

Last year, Teddy Lehman took home the Bednarik Award as the nation’s top college linebacker. If he can add bulk without sacrificing quickness, he could turn into an impact player in the NFL as well. The Lions feel they picked up a steal in the second round, and if Lehman lives up to his potential, he might also be a late-round bargain in fantasy leagues. Keep an eye out for news of his progress.