The NFL All- Undrafted Team ‘07

In fantasy leagues every owner is looking for that sleeper pick that will vault their team to the top. In 2006 we enjoyed breakout years from unknown commodities like Marques Colston and Brandon Jacobs. This season has brought a whole new set of stars to the forefront of fantasy football, and a few names that wont be around long on next seasons draft board. Let us take a look at a few players that went largely undrafted, yet came back to play major roles in this fantasy season.

David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars)- After Jack Del Rio named Garrard the starter prior to the season everyone knew that he could handle the job, but few would have predicted the impact he would have on his team and fantasy leagues everywhere. Garrard seems to have mastered ball protection throwing only three picks all season long despite 325 pass attempts. With those kind of numbers one might think Garrard was dinking and dunking the ball, but Garrard had a completion of 35+ yards in seven of his 12 games played and had a completion of 20+ yards in every game he played. Garrard also ended the season on fire and was a boon to the fantasy owners that picked him up for the stretch run. Over the last six games, Garrard had 12 touchdown passes and added another rushing, while leading the Jaguars to the AFC wild card.
Pass Yds TD/ INT Yds/Game QB Rating
2509 18 / 3 209.1 102.2
With Garrard missing four games this season there is great reason to believe that this was just a start to a great career. Garrard has seemed to build a rapport with former first round pick Reggie Williams who led the Jaguars with 10- receiving touchdowns, while emerging as the physical deep threat receiver that Jag's thought they had when they drafted him four years ago. Garrard is also aided by a big and physical O- line that paves the way for one of the best one- two punches in the NFL in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones- Drew. While Garrard went largely undrafted this season, he will likely be a hot commodity in the '08 drafts and deservingly so.

Earnest Graham (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)- Graham is truly a remarkable story, he started the season as the No. 3 running back behind Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman only to become the No.1 running back and the featured offensive weapon in the Buc's offense after a series of injuries to the previous starters. Graham was able to open some eyes with his bruising straight ahead running style and deceptive speed. Graham set a Buc's record by scoring a touchdown in six straight games between week 9 and week 15 making him a fantasy savior to the savvy owner who picked him up. In addition to Graham's running prowess, he at times became Jeff Garcia's primary passing target showing soft hands out of the backfield. Graham recorded a career high 49 receptions this season including a season high 13 receptions for 99- yards in week 7 against Detroit.
Rush Yds Rec Yds Total TDs Yds/ Game
898 324 10 59.9
As a starter Graham averaged 104.0 total yards per game, which makes him one of the better No.2 running back options out there. Looking ahead to 2008 it is uncertain what kind of role Graham should expect, but a likely timeshare between Graham and Cadillac Williams is the most probable outcome. Given Cadillac's injury history and periodic ineffectiveness, Graham is someone to target with upside as a capable back up of flex play. Until the Buc's running back situation becomes more clear Graham will have to settle with his breakout 2007 campaign before being nominated as a legit '08 top option.

Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers)- Much like Earnest Graham, Grant began the year buried on the Packers depth chart as the No. 4, Due to injuries and ineffectiveness, Grant leap-frogged backs like Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency and DeShawn Wynn to become the Packers starter. Prior to Grants emergence in week 8, the Packers had been a pass first, pass always type of team. With Grants presence that quickly changed. In Grants ten starts this year he totaled five- 100+ yards performances including a stretch where he scored a touchdown in seven of eight games to end the regular season. Despite making only ten starts Grant missed his first 1,000- yard season by only 44- yards mostly due to suffering a stinger after only six carries in the regular season finale against Detroit. Behind the Packers imposing offensive line, Grant was able to average a remarkable 5.1 yards per carry, while also displaying decent hands adding 30- receptions on the season.
Rush Yds Rec Yds Total TDs Yds/ Game
956 145 8 68.3
As a starter Grant averaged 92.9 rushing yards per game on only an 18.2 carry average. With eyes to 2008, Grants stock has taken him into possible first round consideration. With his season still in full swing, Grant can truly make a name for himself if he can help the Packers and Brett Favre into the Superbowl. Regardless Grant will remain one of the more coveted backs heading into the '08 season, and there is not much he can do this post- season to take that away.

Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons)- Considering the state of the Falcons franchise this season it is amazing that White was able to have his breakout campaign during such a year. Despite the quarterback carousel employed by Bobby Petrino, White was able to turn in a remarkably consistent season, turning in five 100- yard performances in route to his first 1,000- yard campaign, while adding six touchdowns on the year.
Rec Yards Yds/Game TD
1202 75.1 6
White went undrafted in most leagues, which made him one of the biggest steals of the year. He finished the season 18th in receiver scoring ahead of guys like Hines Ward, Steve Smith, Lee Evans and Laveranues Coles. With the Falcons set to undergo a major overhaul this off season it is truly hard to predict White’s value heading into next season. The Falcons look set to target a quarterback in this year’s draft, and whether he steps in right away or is groomed for the future, White will likely remain the top receiving threat in Atlanta in ‘08.

Donald Lee (Green Bay Packers)- Lee went largely undrafted in the 2007 fantasy pool, yet finished as the No. 8 fantasy tight end when everything was said and done. Lee truly emerged along with Greg Jennings and James Jones to give all world quarterback Brett Favre a plethora of receiving options. On limited receptions, Lee showed the ability to make the big play utilizing his size and speed to break six plays of 20+ yards.
Rec Yards Yds/Game TD
575 38.3 6
With the return of Brett Favre unknown, it is hard to gauge Lee’s value going into next season. Though as a talented tight end, Lee would likely be the biggest beneficiary of quarterback switch. It isn’t hard to imagine Lee at least matching this seasons totals next year. Much like Jason Witten, Lee possesses the talent to take the next step into an elite tight end if he is given the opportunity.