It’s that time of the year again, people! With preseason starting it is officially fantasy draft season. I thought I’d give some of my favorite sleepers based on their ADP from FantasyPros.
Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford is currently QB11 and going 86th overall. With the trade to the Los Angeles Rams, this is too low for a guy of Stafford’s talent. I’m a Lions fan, so I’ve seen what he’s capable of in good and bad situations, and this may be one of the best supporting casts he’s ever had. He also has the benefit of getting play calls from the best offensive mind of my generation, Sean McVay. Stafford will be given free rein to sling the football all over the field and he’s my QB8 because of that.
Justin Fields
Get Justin Fields while you can. The kid out of Ohio State had an eye opening preseason debut, and with the way he’s playing, Matt Nagy would be crazy to keep him on the bench. He’s currently being drafted as the QB19, but should pass Andy Dalton on the depth chart sooner rather than later. If he keeps up these performances, he’ll continue proving haters wrong week after week. The “one read, no football intelligence” slander against him is absolutely wrong. Fields also has some nice weapons too in Allen Robinson, Darnell Mooney, and David Montgomery. I see Fields as QB14 this year.
Drew Lock
Drew Lock was a guy I liked going into last season, and boy was I wrong. I’m ready to get heartbroken again, though. This guy has all the tools to become a gunslinger in this league, and is currently being drafted at QB37. Based on Broncos camp, he’s winning the QB battle right now and if he gets the job, I see a high end QB2 performance from him. He’s getting Courtland Sutton back, and Jerry Jeudy will serve as a great compliment to him this year.
Running Backs
Myles Gaskin
Myles Gaskin is a guy who came on last season, and may be due for some positive regression this year. He averaged about 12.3 PPG last year, and only had 5 games over 20 touches. He has very reliable hands out of the backfield and can handle the bulk of the carries for the Dolphins. He’s currently being drafted as a low-end RB2, but I have him as a strong RB2 with low end RB1 potential.
Michael Carter
The rookie out of North Carolina is currently being drafted as the RB33. The Jets’ backfield is a mess right now with him, Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson all fighting for carries. But, Michael Carter is by far the most talented out of the trio, and his talent will prevail. The Jets have a great left side of the line with Mekhi Becton and Alejah Vera-Tucker, and Michael Carter can have some fun running behind those two. Although he may not start hot, this guy will be a late season bloomer and is worth the stash.
Tony Pollard
I have been a Zeke hater/Pollard lover since Pollard was drafted in 2019. Zeke proved to be a huge bust last year, and many people blame that on the inefficiency of the o line and the injury to Dak Prescott. Pollard proved he may straight up be a better player with his Week 15 performance against the 49ers. Since the Cowboys saw this guys potential, word around camp is Pollard will have an expanded role this season. Pollard should have weekly flex value, and if Zeke gets hurt, he’ll have RB1 value in that potent Cowboys offense.
Xavier Jones
After news broke out that Cam Akers would be sidelined for the season, Darrell Henderson’s ADP went through the roof. The ADP rise is warranted, as he’ll get the bulk of the carries in an amazing offense. But, a guy who I’m looking at is Xavier Jones. Darrell Henderson hasn’t proved he can handle a full workload in the NFL, and reports are Sean McVay likes what he sees out of Jones. Drafting Jones is nothing more than a stash pick. But, if he starts to take over the RB1 role in LA, he’ll quickly become a high end RB2 you can get at the end of your draft.
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp
If you can’t tell, I love the Rams this season. Cooper Kupp has been a consistent option for quarterbacks since he came into the league, but hasn’t had the pleasure of playing with a guy like Stafford. With Cooper Kupp, Stafford has a Golden Tate esque option with crisp route running, soft hands, and good YAC capability. Kupp is currently being drafted as a low-end WR2 but I see him as a low-end WR1 option with league winning potential.
Terrace Marshall Jr.
When I was watching prospects before the draft, Marshall wowed me. I couldn’t stop watching his tape, he oozes so much potential. He’s 6’2″ with a 4.4 40 and a 39 inch vertical. This dude is a physical unicorn and plays like it. He’s currently listed as the WR3 on the Panthers depth chart, but has game-breaking potential whenever he touches the field. He’s gonna be a big, physical, reliable option for Sam Darnold as he builds a rapport with his new team. Marshall will be available near the end of drafts and has starting WR potential on a fantasy roster.
Bryan Edwards
Even with Henry Ruggs III on the roster, Bryan Edwards has been the talk of camp so far. At 6’3″ 212, Bryan Edwards is a perfect target for Derek Carr, who loves big receivers. There are a lot of targets up for grabs in Las Vegas, and they can’t all go to Darren Waller. Bryan Edwards will be WR1 or 2 on the Raiders’ depth chart and is currently going as the WR75 on fantasy big boards.
Marvin Jones Jr.
Marvin Jones is someone who is always slept on, but always performs. Jones has been Mr. Reliable throughout his career, only finishing below 700 yards twice in 8 years. In his first game with first overall pick Trevor Lawrence, he quickly showed he is Lawrence’s favorite target. He had 3 receptions for 52 yards, and was targeted on 44% of Lawrence’s first NFL throws. If he keeps up his connection with Lawrence he has WR2 potential in fantasy, and is being drafted as the 49th receiver off the board right now.
Marquez Callaway
Callaway is a guy who has to make the most of his situation. With Michael Thomas going through his injury and disputes with Saints front office, and Tre’Quan Smith battling an injury himself, Callaway is the Saints WR1 right now. Saying that Marquez Callaway is WR1 on a roster is crazy, but he’s making sure he does everything to keep that title. Preseason is huge for this Saints team as they’re going through a lot of turnover offensively. Callaway showed out preseason Week 1, showing chemistry with starter Taysom Hill. With three more weeks left before Week 1, he has a lot of time to develop alongside Hill and Jameis Winston as the other two presumed starters watch from the sideline. Callaway is currently being drafted as the 105th receiver off the board, but could be a high end bench piece to low end starter throughout the season.
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson
Now, Hockenson isn’t exactly a sleeper, but I just don’t think enough people realize how good his situation is. There are 364(!) targets up for grabs in Detroit. That’s an absurd amount of turnover, with Hockenson being one of the only guys back this year. He and Jared Goff have already started their connection in training camp, as Hockenson has been his favorite target, and the best player in camp. He can easily have over 100 catches this year and can compete with Kelce, Kittle and Waller for a top 3 fantasy finish.
Jared Cook
Jared Cook is three years removed from a top 5 fantasy finish, and has a great situation in Los Angeles. With Hunter Henry gone, Cook was signed to be the top dog in the tight end room. Being Justin Herbert’s security blanket isn’t a bad gig for a guy you can pick up off the waiver wire after the draft. If Cook is able to garner a little target share, he can make a push for a starting spot on all fantasy rosters. Definitely worth watching his situation as the season inches closer.
Defense
Broncos
I don’t understand how the Broncos defense isn’t being drafted as the #1 defense. With defensive mastermind Vic Fangio at the helm, they don’t even need that great of a roster to have a competent defense. But man, they went all out for this year. They added Patrick Surtain, Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby, Jamar Johnson and Caden Sterns to a secondary that already had Bryce Callahan, Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. WOW! Couple this with a healthy Bradley Chubb and Von Miller and this team will be causing any offense troubles, no matter who they play. All this, and they’re only being drafted as the #13 defense, when they have #1 defense potential.
Panthers
If I don’t get the Broncos, I’m going after the Panthers. The unit showed potential last year highlighted by Brian Burns and Jeremy Chinn. Add in lockdown college corner Jaycee Horn, continued development from Derrick Brown, and free agent signings Hasson Reddick and Denzel Perryman, and this defense has has high potential. They’re currently not being drafted which I think is highly undervaluing them as I see them as a low end starting defense with high end potential.
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