RB Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals
Last week, Benson had 152 total yards against the Washington Redskins. In Week 16, he gets to play the porous defense of the Cleveland Browns. Benson is starting to reach his potential and is a relatively safe fantasy football start this week.

WR Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
In the last four weeks, Devin Hester is starting to look like a legit fantasy football wide receiver. He has at least three catches and at least 45 receiving yards in each contest. This week against the Green Bay Packers, he should continue his production.

TE Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints
Although Jeremy Shockey is coming off of a quiet week, he’s a good start in Week 16 of the fantasy football season. The main reason why he’s a sleeper is that he’s going against the Detroit Lions. There’s a definite chance that Drew Brees will find Shockey in the end zone for his first touchdown of the season.

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RB Tatum Bell, Denver Broncos
With Peyton Hillis now out for the season with a hamstring injury, Tatum Bell is the starting running back in Denver. He’s had some success in the past in this system and should be extra motivated knowing that this could very well be his last chance to earn a spot in the NFL. Start him if your other options are shaky.

WR Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams
Torry Holt has quietly gotten better over the last few weeks. He’s running better routes and is getting open more often. In the last four weeks, he has 17 receptions and has had at least 60 yards in all but one of those games. He’ll likely have a breakout game at some point before the end of the season and Week 15 against the Seahawks is a possibility.

TE Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers
In each of the last two games, Donald Lee has a touchdown. In the last four games, he has three touchdowns. While he’s not getting a whole lot of passes thrown his way, he’s a definite threat near the end zone. Going against a mediocre Jacksonville Jaguars defense in Week 15 makes Lee a good play.

Photo credit: Newscom

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RB Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers
With the Chargers hosting the Kansas City Chiefs this week, it’s a great time to gamble on a big game from Darren Sproles. The Chiefs have a horrible run defense and they very likely could get blown out this week. If Sproles gets at least eight touches this week, there’s a chance he could put up a solid fantasy football line.

WR Koren Robinson, Seattle Seahawks
In recent weeks, Koren Robinson has quietly become the most productive wide receiver on the Seahawks. Last week, he had a 90-yard reception for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. This week against the Miami Dolphins, Robinson should be able to get four or five catches and his speed gives him the capability of breaking a long one.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
Kevin Boss hasn’t been as productive as many fantasy football owners thought he’d be during the 2008 season, but he’s been more productive lately. In his last two weeks, he has a touchdown in each game and a total of seven receptions. With Eli Manning looking for him more, there’s a chance he can get another touchdown this weekend in Week 10.

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QB Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions
Daunte Culpepper is destined to get a lot of starts for the Detroit Lions at quarterback. He recently signed a two-year contract and he’ll be given a chance to prove he’s worth the investment. While he’ll likely be rusty right off the bat, he was a fantasy football stud not too long ago. Take a chance on him if you have the roster room.

RB Peyton Hillis, Denver Broncos
Usually, players who play fullback in the NFL aren’t worth much as running backs in fantasy football. That said, Peyton Hillis very well might be worth a look. He plays fullback but he’s more of a receiving fullback than a blocking fullback. On top of that, he could get a number of carries due to all the injuries suffered by the other Broncos RBs. And don’t forget, Reuben Droughns went from Broncos fullback to stud fantasy running back seemingly overnight.

WR Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints
Devery Henderson leads the NFL in yards per catch. The problem is that he hasn’t caught too many passes so far in 2008. Henderson is a speedy and big target but his hands are very questionable. But if he can find his groove and regain the form he had a few years ago, he could quickly become a big play fantasy football threat who could become a weapon down the stretch.

TE David Martin, Miami Dolphins
In Miami, most of the tight end talk focuses on Anthony Fasano. While Fasano deserves that credit, David Martin should be recognized as well. He’s a very talented pass catcher who could blossom if his role expands or Fasano suffers an injury. The Dolphins passing game continues to get better so don’t be surprised if you see Martin become fantasy relevant at some point in 2008.

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RB Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos
Heading into Week 10, Ryan Torain may literally be the Denver Broncos only healthy running back. Michael Pittman and Andre Hall are out for the year and Selvin Young is still banged up. That leaves this rookie to carry the load for the Broncos. Expect him to have a good amount of success.

WR Mark Bradley, Kansas City Chiefs
Tyler Thigpen is quickly becoming a decent quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. For that reason, his wide receivers are now more valuable. Mark Bradley may be his second receiver but he’s also the safety valve who will get a lot of looks going forward. He even mixed in a passing touchdown this week.

TE Vishante Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings
Once again, Vishante Shiancoe is on the waiver wire list. He just keeps producing and producing at the tight end position. He remains a sleeper tight end because he’s not respected among most fantasy football owners, for a whatever reasons. But if he keeps producing, you might as well roster him.

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Don’t sleep on Kolby Smith in Week 8.

QB Matt Cassel, New England Patriots
Last week, Matt Cassel finally looked like he was getting comfortable as a NFL quarterback. This week, Cassel will go up against the Rams and try to prove that last week wasn’t a fluke. While the Rams are actually playing well right now, Cassel remains a sleeper who could bust out in a big way in Week 8 fantasy football.

RB Kolby Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
With Larry Johnson being held out once against for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kolby Smith will get the start. Last week, in a similar situation, Smith played poorly. But it must be noted that Smith was going against the Titans, who happen to be the best defense in the NFL. Smith should do much better this week.

WR Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Don’t forget that last year with Kevin Curtis was healthy that he was a good fantasy football player. Curtis hasn’t been healthy much in the 2008 fantasy football season, however he is getting close to 100%. Look for him to have a breakout week soon.

TE Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars
Prior to Jacksonville’s bye week, Marcedes Lewis had put together back-to-back games with a touchdown. Lewis will try to make it three games in a row with a touchdown. With Matt Jones’ future in doubt, Lewis’ value is definitely on the rise and he’ll remain a sleeper for the time being.

Photo: Newscom

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RB Michael Pittman, Denver Broncos
Although the Broncos have mostly used a running back committee for much of the season, it appears as if Pittman may be winning the battle to become the lead back. In Week 6, Pittman got all of the team’s carries and had a very good game. From here on out, Pittman could be a top notch back — as long as he remains the starter.

WR Matt Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars usually don’t have very good fantasy football wide receivers, however Matt Jones is starting to look like a fantasy sleeper. He has easily been the most productive receiver on the Jaguars and he continues to improve week after week. He only has one touchdown so far this season, but with his size he could easily start become a weekly touchdown threat.

TE Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars
In the last two weeks, Marcedes Lewis has had touchdowns. He won’t get many looks on a weekly basis but Lewis is definitely a touchdown threat. With David Garrard getting more and more comfortable at the quarterback position, that bodes well for all his receiving targets.

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QB Matt Cassel, New England Patriots
Not too long ago, fantasy football owners were rushing to get their hands on Matt Cassel after Tom Brady went down injured. Now his fantasy stock has plummeted. But give the guy time and remember, he still has Randy Moss on his side.

RB Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos
Currently, the Broncos are using a three-headed monster at running back with Selvin Young, Andre Hall and Michael Pittman. That could all change when Ryan Torain comes back if he’s able to impress the coaches again.

WR Chris Henry, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals offense looks dead in the water. Chad Ocho Cinco doesn’t play like he’s related to Chad Johnson. That said, once Chris Henry comes back for Cincinnati following his suspension, he could become a very important part of that offense.

TE Dustin Keller, New York Jets
Brett Favre typically loves to pass to his tight ends, especially close to the end zone. While Dustin Keller has started off too amazingly, the rookie tight end for the Jets is starting to show signs of life. Keep an eye on him.

K Matt Prater, Denver Broncos
Jason Elam was the kicker for the Broncos forever. However, Matt Prater has stepped in and already has Broncos fans forgetting all about Elam. Prater has a strong long and should get plenty of opportunities in Denver’s high powered offense.

D New York Jets
The Jets defense hasn’t been too impressive yet this season but with all their free agent signings, this is a team that was bound to get off to a relatively slow start. Once they begin to mesh together, expect the Jets to become much better — especially defensively.

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Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions
All indications point to Kevin Smith starting for the Lions at running back. Smith doesn’t have much competition — considering that Tatum Bell is his backup. He could be a big factor if he can stay healthy.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Like Smith, Forte is also expected to be the starter. While Forte is arguably the more talented player, his situation doesn’t look as promising. He’s on a team with a bad offense and has more talent behind him at running back, including Kevin Jones and the other Adrian Peterson.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are starting Willis McGahee at running back. However, many team insiders claim Ray Rice has looked better so far this season. If McGahee struggled, expect Rice to get plenty of time.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
Although he has to share time with DeAngelo Williams, expect Jonathan Stewart to have a solid year. Williams is a finesse back, which should allow Stewart to get goal line carries.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers
Although he was picked in the first round, Mendenhall has his work cut out for him in terms of getting carries this season. Willie Parker is the starter and has a successful history with the Steelers. Mendenhall also had trouble with fumbles in the preseason.

Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals
With Edgerrin James likely slowing down in Arizona, Tim Hightower is a player who could be asked to add juice to an otherwise tepid ground game. Expect the Cardinals to give James more rest this season and give Hightower a chance to prove himself.

Here is a highlight reel video of Tim Hightower in action:

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