Everyone loves a sleeper list and I am no exception. However, I like to organize my list a bit differently, separating them into categories.
Below is a list of players I am targeting in my drafts. I have them broken down into Value, Sleeper and Coma plays. Here is an idea of how these labels fit:
Value Plays – Players with an ADP in the upper thirds of most drafts. These players aren’t sleepers, as we all know about them, but I feel they will outperform where they are drafted.
Sleeper Plays – Players that are not necessarily household names and also being drafted later than the 8th round.
Coma Plays – Think Rip Van Winkle, they are sleeping right now, but should they get woken up, they will contribute. These are players you draft very late or in deep leagues or keep an eye on when doing waivers.
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott – Dak has an ADP of the 6th round, which is right where I am comfortable taking a QB. Dak should well outperform his 6th round ADP if last year is any indication (Dak finished as the 3rd best player in 2020 depending on your scoring system). I don’t know if it is the Zeke factor that makes Dak affordable, but I’m buying. I really like the addition of CeeDee Lamb and Blake Jarwin looks to come into his own this season. Value
Carson Wentz – Wentz almost got taken off this list because Jalen Reagor is out about four weeks and he lost two starting O-Linemen. But he remains as they play a bunch of 12 personnel (1RB/2TE) and all three will be heavily involved in the passing game. Current ADP is 8th round, but maybe we get lucky because he recently sat out practice and will drop to the 9th round. Value
Drew Brees – I get that he is 41 and he has trouble throwing deep. But, he has pretty much has had a 75% completion rate the past two seasons and is surrounded by weapons like Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, plus Jared Cook and newest Saints WR Emmanuel Sanders. Brees still has it and with their Defense, the Saints will make a big Super Bowl push. Value
Tom Brady – Another oldie but goodie. Has always played with a chip on his shoulder, but that chip just doubled in size now that he is an ex-Pat. He didn’t have the likes of Chris Godwin & Mike Evans in NE. He’s with an offensive minded HC in Bruce Arians and while he might have a slow start while still learning the offense in game situations, I still predict 4,000+ passing yards and a Super Bowl push. Value
Ben Roethlisberger – Big Ben is back and looking good in training camp. Won’t have to put any energy into fending off former OC Todd Haley, as Randy Fichtner was promoted to OC last year and has been with the organization since 2007. He knows Big Ben well and unlike Haley will put the square peg in the square hole. Surrounded by talent, the only downside is he has to play Baltimore twice. He is yours for a song in the 10th round. Sleeper
Joe Burrow – Poised, confident and intelligent…not words you would associate with a rookie QB, but they apply to Joe Burrow. Besides CEH, Burrow is the rookie I am most looking forward to watching play. He will have his ups and downs, but I really like him as my QB2. Surrounded by skill players with talent, what I really like is his ability to gain yards on the ground. Last year at LSU he had 368 rushing yards and 5 TDs. He won’t put up those numbers, but 250 + 3 is reasonable. Sleeper
Tyrod Taylor – What has stuck with me over the years of watching Taylor is his long ball, he throws a really nice deep pass. I think he will surprise many folks this season. Not sure he keeps the job, especially if the Chargers don’t look like they will make the playoffs. But as long as he is on the field, he has a chance to make some noise throwing to Ekeler, Allen, and Henry. Wish I could add Mike Williams to the list, but he has a bum shoulder and could miss a few weeks. Taylor can also get you some yards with his legs. I really wanted him as a late-round pick in a Guillotine league, as he plays Cincy in Week 1. Coma
Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire – If you want him, you will likely have to pay a first-round price for him. I’ve been on him since Kansas City drafted him. He was a value in the 3rd round until Damien Williams opted out and CEH’s draft stock skyrocketed. He’s still a player I am targeting and while he doesn’t fit neatly into the Value Plays, he has a chance to be a Top 3 RB. Value
Miles Sanders – I have been on Miles Sanders since I took him in the Trendsetters league that drafts in February right after the Super Bowl. I took him early in the second round, that is how much I believe in him. Out with what is assumed a hamstring strain, so I’ve seen him fall into the second round in some drafts. He’s a value there and I don’t have a problem taking him in the first round (probably the highest I would go with him is 1.08). Solid second half of the 2019 season and I expect him to build upon that in 2020. Slight concern with two starting OL men down, but that isn’t pushing me off him. Value
Cam Akers – Been getting Akers in the 5th round of most 12-team drafts. His ADP has risen since Darrell Henderson’s injury (hamstring). I didn’t and still don’t think Akers carries the load for the first month or so of the season, but I am a firm believer in the cream rising to the top. Value
Jonathan Taylor – We will be drafting him in the first round next year and likely within the first five picks. He is a two-time Doak Walker Award winner (Best RB in college) and finds himself running behind the best OL in the NFL. Taylor couldn’t ask for a better landing spot than Indianapolis. No other Division I RB has had more 200-yard rushing games in his career. Last year alone he had 21 rushing TDs at Wisconsin and tacked on five receiving TDs! Current ADP is third round, but don’t wait too long in the third! Marlon Mack might be the starter the first few games, but Taylor is going to take what is his very quickly. Value
Kareem Hunt – Last season had to overcome surgery (sports hernia) and suspension. It’s a new season and the former track star will see plenty of action in the passing game, but I feel he will get his share of carries too. Look out when he gets to the edge. Value
James White – I should do a Rodney Dangerfield No Respect article, James White would be right at the top. In 2020, with the departure of Tom Brady, hardly anyone is talking about White. He has a respectable 4.1 YPC, but his bread and butter is the passing game. 8.8 yards per catch over his career! Last year it was 9.0 on 95 targets. OC Josh McDaniels will put in plenty of new wrinkles for Cam Newton this year, but they are still going to throw to their backs a ton. And Cam likes throwing to his backs (Christian McCaffrey anyone?). I’m not drafting him as my RB2, but as my Flex and bye week filler absolutely. Value
Tarik Cohen – He’s not going to blow anyone away in standard leagues, but is solid gold in PPR leagues. Had an ADP of 8th round, but with David Montgomery’s injury (groin), he has been creeping up to the 7th and sometimes 6th round. 104 targets last season and a 76% catch rate. Like James White, I am targeting him as my Flex play and bye week filler. Value
Zack Moss – The University of Utah’s all-time leading rusher and holds the school record for TDs by an RB. Dude can ball. He is not the fastest RB you will see, but he makes up for it with power and elusiveness. Had success in the passing game too. Devin Singletary, you have been served! Sleeper
Alexander Mattison – As a rookie last season averaged 4.6 YPC on 100 rushes. More than capable of filling in if Dalvin Cook misses time (and Cook has never played a full 16-game season). If you are the Cook owner Mattison is a must have. If you aren’t, Mattison has a high ceiling if Cook goes down, so block the Cook owner and reap the rewards. Sleeper
Chase Edmonds – Arizona HC Kliff Kingsbury believes in Chase Edmonds and so should you. Another must as far as handcuffs are concerned. If Drake goes down, in steps Edmonds and his hefty 5.1 YPC average. Even if I don’t own Drake, I am targeting Edmonds because of his upside. Sleeper
Duke Johnson – You know I’m down on David Johnson, so no surprise Duke Johnson is on my list. The Texans are talking about having both Johnson’s on the field at the same time. That’s exciting for us Duke Johnson owners, makes him a legit Flex option you can grab in the 12th round. Did I mention he has a career 9.2 yards per catch? Or his 4.9 YPC average? Sleeper
Nyheim Hines – PPR leagues take note, Hines is going to tear it up in the passing game. Philip Rivers loves to check down to his backs. Sleeper
Carlos Hyde – Hyde is the clear RB2 in Seattle. There is no timeshare with starter Chris Carson, but should Carson go down, Hyde still runs tough and is exactly the type of back HC Pete Carroll will lean on. Coma
Joshua Kelley – One local paper describes Joshua Kelley as surging in training camp. No way Austin Ekeler is able to carry the load as a three-down back, so that leaves opportunities for Kelley and Justin Jackson, who I thought had RB2 locked up a month ago, but I have changed my tune. Lovin’ his 15th round ADP. Coma
Jerick McKinnon – I’ll take a late-round flyer on any RB that plays for the 49ers. Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman are firmly ahead of him and it will take an injury for McKinnon to see notable playing time, but stranger things have happened. Coma
Wide Receivers
Allen Robinson – Top 8 WR in PPR leagues last season and poster child for the No Respect team. It’s because he plays for the Bears and their lack of a stud QB. Remember, we do not care how we score points, just that we do. Only three other WRs had more targets153). Value
Calvin Ridley – When I play guess my team on Twitter, Calvin Ridley is my tell. I have him everywhere I can get him. As I said in writing up my Fantasy Points Dynasty players, Julio Jones is 31 and will soon be passing the torch to Ridley, much like Roddy White passed it to Jones. I see 1,000+ receiving yards and double-digit TDs. It will cost you a 4th round pick, but he will return 2nd round value. Value
Robert Woods – Woods hit the jackpot when he left Buffalo and signed with the Rams. Talk about two different offensive schemes. Woods route running has been showcased in Los Angeles and because of Cooper Kupp, Woods falls anywhere from the 4th – 6th rounds. Bargain wherever you draft him. Woods was the 8th most targeted WR in the NFL last season and with Cooks gone we can expect more of the same, perhaps even a bump. Value
D.J. Chark – Came out of nowhere last year for a line of 73/1008/7. Because he plays in Jacksonville, he has found himself on the No Respect team. Chark has great chemistry with Gardner Minshew and it really showed when Nick Foles was briefly inserted back as starter and Chark’s numbers dipped. Chark is an intelligent and hard-working WR with great leaping ability. One of those WRs you love to watch with the rare combo of size and speed (fasted 40 among WRs at the NFL Combine in 2018). Value
Terry McLaurin – Really had a nice rookie season last year and an impressive 15.8 yards per catch rate. With the emergence of Steven Sims and rookie Antonio Gandy-Golden, plus Antonio Gibson, I think defenses won’t be able to solely focus on McLaurin. He makes a nice WR2 for teams and I’ve often got him as my WR3. Value
Marquise Brown – Everyone’s draft darling including mine. Hampered by injury last year, look for him to EXPLODE this year. Ravens came out and cryptically said they might tone down Lamar Jackson’s called run plays, which means more pass attempts, which means more Hollywood! Value
Tyler Boyd – I’ve written about him in my Dynasty player write-up and in Draft Reviews, so I don’t want to be a broken record. A.J. Green already with a soft tissue injury and rookie Joe Burrow said recently that he expects Boyd to have a big 2020 season. Value
Diontae Johnson – This guy was a rookie last year and didn’t have Big Ben throwing to him most of the season and still puts up 59/680/5. He’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands. His ADP has crept up to the 7th round, which is not ideal, but I am still drafting him. Value
Darius Slayton – A few days ago I saw both Sterling Sheppard and Golden Tate taken before Slayton. I have no idea what rock those owners were living on, but fine by me, I happily took Daniel Jones’ favorite WR. Value
Marvin Jones – Was quietly having a very nice season last year until he got injured. Nine TDs and a 68% catch rate. He is healthy and so is his QB Matt Stafford. Jones is under the radar and I think it is because he has been in the league eight seasons (many drafters want the new shiny toy). Money in the bank if you are able to nab him as your WR3. Sleeper
Jamison Crowder – I think Crowder is in for a 1,000-yard season and is being vastly ignored because he plays for the Jets. The Jets are going to get behind in plenty of games and that means more opportunities for Crowder. Be a thief in the night and grab him in the 9th or 10th round. Sleeper
Michael Pittman – I loved watching him at Southern Cal, this guy can run routes and brings a toughness to the field that makes me want to see what he does at the next level. Son of former Bucs RM Michael Pittman, he has a high football IQ. Sleeper
Russell Gage – It costs you virtually nothing to own a WR on an offense that knows how to move the ball and who had 49 receptions last year and a catch rate of 66%. He could be a Flex play or bye week filler with literally the last pick of your draft. Gage averaged 8 targets a game the last six weeks of 2019. Coma
Van Jefferson –This is what I wrote when I took Jefferson in the Fantasy Points staff Dynasty league: “Jefferson grew up around football, his father Shawn was an NFL WR and this has led to a high football IQ. He’s not a speedster, but is a solid route runner and plays with that toughness I like. Josh Reynolds is blocking his path to playing time, but Jefferson is the type of WR that will force himself onto the playing field at some point, though it might take 1-2 years. Great landing spot with the Rams and McVay’s offense.” I will add that he is having a very good camp and recently got some first-team reps, maybe we won’t have to wait 1-2 years. Coma
Tight Ends
Mark Andrews – Had a nice breakout season last year and someone I am targeting when I don’t get George Kittle or Travis Kelce. Lamar Jackson’s safety blanket and with a healthy Hollywood Brown, Andrews will see plenty of mismatches. Value
Zach Ertz – I hadn’t been drafting too much of Ertz, but after Jalen Reagor’s injury, I see more opportunities for Ertz and fellow TE Dallas Goedert. Value
Tyler Higbee – Caught almost 80% (77.50 of passes thrown his way). Double-digit targets the last month of the season. Four 100-yard games in a row. Plenty of hesitation from drafters as his ADP is 8th round. I like Gerard Everett and think he will have a role in the Rams offense, but he plays second fiddle to Higbee. Value
Hayden Hurst – He’s on at least 80% of my teams and I have drafted over sixty teams. Read my past articles if you want details. My fellow ginger is my ride or die. Sleeper
Dallas Goedert – I just drafted him in the 13th round as my TE2. Philly will create plenty of mismatches and Goedert will be a prime beneficiary. Sleeper
Chris Herndon – Had a little scare earlier this week when he left training camp earlier. Apparent chest injury the Jets are calling tightness. Darnold will lean on him this season as Herndon can make contested catches and isn’t afraid to go over the middle. Will be on the field a bunch, as he is a good blocker too. Sleeper
