In the deepest, darkest corners of any fantasy draft a faint candle flickers.

Commoners rarely notice it, but statistical spelunkers with a keen eye not only see it, they understand it’s one gas-can away from exploding into a raging inferno.

These luminations are the virtual game’s true Rip Van Winkles.

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Some high-profiled fantasy ‘experts’ would lead you to believe guys like Tyler Lockett and Matt Jones, mostly going in Rounds 5 or 6 of competitive 12-team drafts, are ‘sleepers,’ a ridiculous, poorly applied description. That’s like saying “Hey, there’s this condiment called ‘ketchup,’ if you dip your french fries in it, man, it’s delicious!” Captain. Obvious.

In actuality, those who are viable unknowns are players who typically float in free agent pools until they pop.

For much of last September, Thomas Rawls was one such wader.

Last August, the undrafted product from Central Michigan flew way under the radar. Buried behind Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson on the Seahawks depth chart, the rookie was largely forgotten.

Then the injury imp bit.

Pressed into action Week 3 versus Chicago after ‘Beast Mode’ was felled by a hamstring pull, Rawls proved his mettle. On 16 carries he ripped off 104 yards, displaying thunderous power between the tackles. Following with 48 yards versus Detroit and 169 yards plus a TD at Cincinnati, he was an instant must-have sensation. However, it wasn’t until Lynch was permanently shelved by sports hernia surgery midway through the season did the youngster officially arrive.

At a critical juncture when fantasy owners fought tooth and nail to secure playoff spots (Weeks 11-13), Rawls marched through opponents and scorched earth. Over that three-game stretch he amassed 459 combined yards, four total touchdowns and top-10s in yards after contact (3.4) and evaded tackles (0.23 per attempt). His resulting 24.3 fantasy points per game topped the RB charts.

Though a broken ankle suffered in Week 14 prematurely ended the party, he, like so many previously uncelebrated players before him, was a perfectly timed fantasy hero.

What passed over options could don a cape at some point this year? Here are my elite eight ‘Shocker Specials’ you should stash after pick No. 120 in drafts:

Josh Ferguson, Ind, RB – Soon the Illinois product will join the likes of Arian Foster, Pierre Thomas and Rawls at the round table of notable undrafted RBs. Though diminutive in stature, the rookie is highly elusive in space, possesses plus hands and is polished in his routes. Hyped by Indy beat writers and Jim Irsay alike this offseason, he is a strong candidate to leapfrog Jordan Todman and Robert Turbin on the depth-chart, eventually becoming 33-year-old Frank Gore’s direct backup. Considering the Colts’ ongoing offensive line concerns, Ferguson is the ultimate safety valve for Andrew Luck. He’ll only sporadically carry the rock, but it’s conceivable he’ll be deployed as a gadget back similar to Detroit’s Theo Riddick or New England’s Dion Lewis. If the Colts are again faced with numerous deficits, the youngster sails past 50 receptions in Year 1. Keep preying on the blind at his 185..4 (RB59) ADP. And be thankful his lower extremities were spared from the La Canton tar pit.

Fearless Forecast (16-game ceiling): 148 carries, 625 rushing yards, 64 receptions, 509 receiving yards, 6 total touchdowns



Sammie Coates, Pit, WR – This time last year, Coates was a wide-eyed rookie who couldn’t catch a toxic virus from Rio water. Lapses in concentration and the pitfalls of a new playbook put him well behind the ball. Consequentially, he was buried on the regular season depth-chart totaling a mere two targets and one reception for 11 yards in extremely limited action. However, with Martavis Bryant on a one-year sabbatical, opportunity knocks for the former Auburn standout. On paper, his workout metrics are stellar. He’s a 6-foot-1, 212-pound blazer (4.43 40-yard) with a condor-like catch radius. If the reported catch improvements this summer transfer to September, he, and not teammate Markus Wheaton, will be the break out Steelers receiver to own. Pittsburgh’s aggressive vertical attack and the attention Antonio Brown draws are indicators someone will benefit greatly. Based on talent alone and reports he has a leg up on the WR2 gig, Coates has the best chance to stir the blood. At this near rock bottom price (123.8, WR55), those who invest may just score a prolific WR2/WR3. Still not convinced? Charles Robinson’s report from Steelers camp is loaded with additional propaganda.

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