Fantasy Sleeper Picks
As the NFL preseason draws to a close, that can only mean one thing…..Fantasy Football is back! If you haven’t drafted a team yet, or simply play in daily leagues, sleeper picks are necessary. Sometimes they pan out (like drafting Todd Gurley last year), sometimes they don’t (like drafting Toby Gerhart in any year). Either way I will be going through each position and giving a few fantasy sleepers that can help your team make it to the playoffs. Let’s get after it:
Quarterbacks:
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars: Bortles is not an elite quarterback, but he does put up monster numbers. With two thousand yard receivers, Bortles is poised to break through the glass ceiling of Quarterbacks. If the Jags defense underperforms, watch for Gus Bradley to rely on Bortles’ arms. Barring any injury, Bortles is ready to be one of the best fantasy QBs’ in the league.
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts: You might read this and think I’m crazy; how can a former #1 overall pick, let alone one as good as Luck be a sleeper? Because of the injury struggles he dealt with last year. Luck is the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning, and while last year he couldn’t stay on the field, watch for this to change in 2016. Besides that, watch for Luck to come out guns-a-blazing, trying to discredit critics who claimed he was finished after last year. Add in the fact that Luck actually has a competent running back in Frank Gore, and the Colt’s offense looks very dangerous.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: This one might stand out. Prescott is a rookie drafted in the 4th round of this years draft. He was expected to be the third string quarterback for the Cowboys, until Kellen Moore got hurt early in training camp. He then moved into the backup role and performed well in the preseason. Everything changed for Prescott this past week, when starter Tony Romo went down with a back injury. The rookie now has the keys to the Cowboy kingdom, and if his preseason numbers are any indication, the Mississippi State Bulldog will do just fine in the NFL.
Runningbacks:
Ameer Abdullah, Detroit Lions: Abdullah was the third running back drafted in 2015, after Rams’ superstar Todd Gurley and Chargers running back Melvin Gordon. While Gurley’s transition to the NFL was seamless, Abdullah struggled adapting to the professional level. Rushing for only 597 yards last season, Abdullah could potentially double his career total in one season. In addition, the Lions offense will need help, due to losing Calvin Johnson to retirement earlier this offseason. If Abdullah can play like he did at Nebraska, watch for the Lions to be one of the better rushing offenses in the NFL.
Alfred Morris, Dallas Cowboys: Morris’ rushing totals have gone down each year he was in the league. After tearing up teams with Robert Griffin III in 2012, he has gotten slightly less effective each year since. So why would he be considered a sleeper? Because of the question marks for the Cowboys at running back. Zeke Elliot was the 4th pick in the 2016 draft, but now has some character questions after a video tape surfaced of Elliot leaving a marijuana dispensary in Seattle, prior to playing the Seahawks last week. Darren McFadden started for the ‘Boys last season, but he already broke his elbow in the offseason because he “slipped”. All signs point to Alf being given the chance, and behind the best O-Line in football, I could rush for 100 yards per game.
Duke Johnson, Cleveland Browns: Johnson looks as if he will replace Isaiah Crowell as the Browns starter. He also is much more elusive than Crowell. With 39 less touches last year, he broke 17 more tackles than Crowell. If Head Coach Hue Jackson wants to replicate RG3’s success from 2012, Johnson could benefit from a read option offense. In PPR leagues, Johnson will be a better option because of his ability to catch passes out of the backfield
Wide Receivers:
Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders: Cooper is one of the better wideouts in the NFL already, and he will continue to get better and better. Derek Carr is emerging as a franchise quarterback, and his favorite target is Cooper. Cooper is very much like another wide receiver from Alabama, in Julio Jones. Both possess speed and the ability to catch an 80 yard bomb. If you can’t draft Jones, then lock up Cooper and get similar production.
John Brown, Arizona Cardinals: John Brown is the best 3rd receiver in football. Behind Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald, Brown is dominant. He has the talent of a #1 receiver but is lucky enough to play in the slot, thus giving him more chances against lesser defensive backs. Brown also has big play potential, with the deep threat ability. Brown is a sleeper that you should take advantage of.
Stefan Diggs, Minnesota Vikings: Diggs can make phenomenal diving catches, and is a great player to take a chance on. Diggs suffers from not having a franchise quarterback. Teddy Bridgewater is improving, but he isn’t a top 15 QB. If Bridgewater can improve, watch for Diggs’ numbers to go through the roof.
Tight Ends:
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins: Jordan Reed had a monster year last season, gaining over 1000 yards. He has struggled with injuries in the past, but if he can stay healthy, he might be the second best tight end in football, behind Gronk. Reed is a valuable addition to any fantasy team.
Kickers:
Dustin Hopkins, Washington Redskins: Hopkins steadied the kicker position for the Redskins, after years of poor kickers. He made 25 of 28 field goals last year, as well as making 39 out of 40 extra points. Hopkins was perfect from 20-39 yards, and missed only one from 40-49 yards. Watch for Hopkins to break out this season for the Redskins.
