Most successful fantasy football teams rely on a strong draft and the emergence of their late-round picks. When trying to find a decent sleeper that can take you to the promised land, look no further than the following Houston Texans:
TE Owen Daniels - I know what you're thinking; Owen Daniels isn't a sleeper. That might be true, but Daniels is currently being drafted as the sixth-best tight end on the board. I view him as a solid value pick because his production could be noteworthy, relative to his draft position. He has proved to be one of the best tight ends in the league when healthy, and Matt Schaub loves throwing to him. If Daniels can put together a season free of injury, look out because he has the potential to certainly finish in the top-five.
RB Ben Tate - He missed all of last season with a preseason leg injury, and his roster spot was certainly in danger before last night's game against the Saints. He rushed nine times for 95 yards and a touchdown, solidifying the strong depth in Houston's backfield. Sporting News took notice, and the preseason hype surrounding Tate has been resurrected. He will only be relevant in fantasy circles if Arian Foster misses time with an injury, but it wouldn't hurt spending a late pick on Tate in hopes of striking it big.
RB Steve Slaton - The speedster from West Virginia was a sleeper in 2009, but we all know that didn't turn out well. Slaton had trouble holding onto the ball, but he claims that his neck injury was the real problem. I realize the odds of Slaton rebounding with a solid season are slim, but he has looked more than capable in training camp this year. I wouldn't draft Slaton, but he could be a decent waiver claim if an opportunity arises.
WR Kevin Walter - While Jacoby Jones has teased fantasy owners with large expectations and few big games, Walter has at least shown some signs of consistency. Kevin is going undrafted in almost every 12-team league, but he is being targeted enough to warrant some consideration with a favorable secondary matchup. Pick up Walter to start aginst a suspect opposing corner, but don't draft him unless you can predict the future.
I think Tate has the most promise among these potential sleepers, but Owen Daniels could provide substantial value if he can stay healthy.
Good luck in your upcoming fantasy drafts folks, and be sure to check back often for more articles and rankings.