Junk Bonds

Don't be fooled by the name. A junk bond may be a little riskier than it's safer counterparts with better credit, but these high yielders often pay juicy interest payments if you know how to evaluate them. While they typically have a much higher likelihood of default, often leaving the buyer with a lump of shit in their portfolio, when you pick a good one, the rewards can be lucrative.

As usual, I am not talking about money, but rather the junk bonds (i.e., late round sleepers) I am considering for my fantasy football portfolio. It's the Rupert Entwistle value strategy and I'm giving up some gems today. Since Stan and I are essentially playing on the same team in like 5 leagues, our secrets are no longer safe anyway. So without further ado, here are some of the risky plays I am considering for my late round gambles in 2008.

1) Devin Hester - Do not underestimate the power of star. We know Hester has the return skills and will find the end zone at least a few times on returns, but now that he is a household name, I expect him to get a lot of playing time in the regular offense this season. I'm telling you, marketability = playing time.

2) Eric Johnson - I mentioned this in my New Orleans preview over at Epic Carnival a couple weeks ago, but I have extremely high hopes for Johnson in New Orleans. We know that Drew Brees loves his big receivers and Johnson caught 82 passes in 2004. I ended up with him on my '04 fantasy team from a lucky autopick team and have kept an eye on him ever since. He didn't collapse since then, but just had a series of nagging injuries. Make sure to determine if he earns the starting job, but if so, lock him up. He's worth it.

3) Byron Leftwich - Leftwich is another guy who is backed by the full faith and credit of Rupert. He is a great quarterback; just another guy with nagging injuries. It's a contract year and his career is on the line. In case you forgot, this is still the guy who finished a college game on a broken leg. His balls are bigger than a bass player's. I predict a comeback player of the year nod.

4) Reuben Droughns - I don't love Droughns, but I'm more just a little skeptical of Brandon Jacobs. I think Jacobs leaves a void in the receiving game that Tiki filled so successfully. While Droughns is no Reggie Bush, he's caught 25 or more passes in the past 3 seasons and 39 in 2005. He'll be a very serviceable late round RB in my not-that-humble opinion.

5) Robert Meachem - Without Horn, I am not sold on Colston at #1. He'll see a lot of double teams and I am still not sold on the speed. Under the radar, Colston was a machine and he was a key part of my (ahem, championship season), but I am too skeptical. Thus, there is another Saint upon which I am high as a huffer. Meachem should make a decent #3 in 10+ team leagues for pennies on the dollar.

6) Eli Manning - Don't ask me. I just have a stupid hunch.

7) Ahman Green - He's got gas in the tank yet and nobody dares take the gamble anymore. Consider this, how many teams trust a featured back these days? Do you think the Texans really just bet the ranch on a geezer without thinking it through? OK, bad example. Nevertheless, he's a solid pickup for a flex position if he falls to a good value spot.

8) Muhsin Muhammad - Alright, now you're catching on. Old guys offer great late round value. Here's the philosophy. Don't predict a breakdown until you've witnessed one. Moosh is one of these wide receivers that will play until they are 85. I don't know how they do it, but it's not really that uncommon if you think about it: Rice, Monk, Harrison, etc. To put it in perspective, Muhammad is about the same age as TO. Chew on that.