Are you tired of drafting the same old fantasy football players every year? Do you want to uncover hidden gems that will give you an edge over your competition? Look no further! In this article, we’ll dive into the world of sleeper fantasy football players, and I’ll share my top picks for the upcoming season.
What is a Sleeper in Fantasy Football?
A sleeper is a player who is undervalued or overlooked by most fantasy football owners, but has the potential to break out and become a top performer. Sleepers can be found at any position, from quarterback to kicker, and can be a game-changer for your fantasy team.
Why Do I Need Sleepers in My Fantasy Football Team?
Let’s face it, the top fantasy football players are often snatched up quickly in drafts, leaving you with limited options. That’s where sleepers come in. By identifying undervalued players, you can build a strong team without breaking the bank. Plus, sleepers can provide a competitive edge, as they’re often unknown to your opponents.
My Top Sleeper Picks for the Upcoming Season
Here are my top sleeper picks for the upcoming season, broken down by position:
Quarterback Sleepers
- Gardner Minshew (Jacksonville Jaguars): Minshew showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, and with a new coach and improved offense, he’s poised for a breakout year.
- Drew Lock (Denver Broncos): Lock has the arm talent and athleticism to be a top quarterback, and with a strong receiving corps, he’s a sleeper to watch.
Running Back Sleepers
- Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys): With Ezekiel Elliott’s holdout last season, Pollard showed he’s more than capable of carrying the load. He’s a sleeper to stash on your bench.
- Latavius Murray (New Orleans Saints): Murray is a physical runner who can thrive in the Saints’ high-powered offense. He’s a sleeper to target in the later rounds of your draft.
Wide Receiver Sleepers
- Michael Gallup (Dallas Cowboys): Gallup is a talented receiver who was overshadowed by Amari Cooper last season. With Cooper’s departure, Gallup is poised for a breakout year.
- Preston Williams (Miami Dolphins): Williams is a physical receiver who showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season. With a new quarterback and improved offense, he’s a sleeper to watch.
Tight End Sleepers
- Irv Smith Jr. (Minnesota Vikings): Smith is a talented tight end who was overshadowed by Kyle Rudolph last season. With Rudolph’s departure, Smith is poised for a breakout year.
- T.J. Hockenson (Detroit Lions): Hockenson is a talented tight end who showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season. With a new quarterback and improved offense, he’s a sleeper to target.
Defense/Special Teams Sleepers
- Denver Broncos Defense: The Broncos have a stout defense that’s underrated by most fantasy owners. With a strong pass rush and improved secondary, they’re a sleeper to target.
- Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs): Butker is a talented kicker who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With the Chiefs’ high-powered offense, he’s a sleeper to target.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to identify sleepers in fantasy football? A: The best way to identify sleepers is to do your research, stay up-to-date on offseason news, and watch preseason games.
Q: How do I know if a player is a sleeper or just a bust? A: Trust your instincts and do your research. If a player has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, they may be a sleeper. If they’ve consistently underperformed, they may be a bust.
Q: Can sleepers really make a difference in my fantasy football team? A: Absolutely! Sleepers can provide a competitive edge and help you build a strong team without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Sleeper fantasy football players can be the difference between a mediocre team and a championship-winning team. By identifying undervalued players and doing your research, you can build a strong team without breaking the bank. Remember, sleepers are often unknown to your opponents, so don’t be afraid to take a chance on them.
Keyword: Sleeper Fantasy Football
Semantically Relevant Keywords: Fantasy Football Sleepers, Undervalued Players, Breakout Players, Fantasy Football Draft, Fantasy Football Team.
LSIs: Fantasy Football Rankings, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Tips, Fantasy Football Strategy
Advanced Sleeper Strategies
Now that we’ve covered the basics of sleeper fantasy football players, let’s dive into some advanced strategies to help you uncover hidden gems.
1. Look for Players in New Situations
Players who change teams or coaches often fly under the radar, but can be sleepers waiting to happen. For example, a running back who moves to a team with a more potent offense may see an increase in touches and production.
2. Identify Players with Increased Targets
Players who see an increase in targets from their quarterback are often sleepers waiting to happen. Look for players who saw a significant increase in targets from the previous season, or players who are moving into a more prominent role in their team’s offense.
3. Focus on Players with a Strong Work Ethic
Players who are known for their strong work ethic and dedication to training are often sleepers waiting to happen. These players are more likely to put in the extra effort to improve their game and make a bigger impact on the field.
4. Look for Players with a High Ceiling
Players with a high ceiling, or upside, are often sleepers waiting to happen. These players may not have produced much in the past, but have the potential to break out and become top performers.
5. Identify Players with a Favorable Schedule
Players who have a favorable schedule, or play in a division with weaker defenses, are often sleepers waiting to happen. Look for players who have a soft schedule and are likely to see an increase in production.
Sleeper Fantasy Football Players to Avoid
While sleepers can be a great way to build a strong fantasy football team, there are some players who are often overhyped and should be avoided.
1. Players Coming Off Injuries
Players who are coming off injuries are often overhyped and should be avoided. These players may not be fully healthy, and may not produce at the level they did before their injury.
2. Players with a History of Underperformance
Players who have a history of
3. Players in Crowded Backfields
Players in crowded backfields are often and should be avoided. These players may not see enough touches to produce at a high level.
Conclusion
Sleeper fantasy football players can be a great way to build a strong team without breaking the bank. By identifying undervalued players and using advanced strategies, you can uncover hidden gems and gain a competitive edge over your opponents. Remember to do your research, stay up-to-date on news, and watch preseason games to identify sleepers.
Keyword: Sleeper Fantasy Football
Semantically Relevant Keywords: Fantasy Football Sleepers, Undervalued Players, Breakout Players, Fantasy Football Draft, Fantasy Football Team.
Fantasy Football Rankings, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Tips, Fantasy Football Strategy.
Additional Resources
- Fantasy Football Rankings: Check out our fantasy football rankings to see where our top sleepers fall.
- Fantasy Football Advice: Get more fantasy football advice and tips from our experts.
- Fantasy Football Strategy: Learn more about our fantasy football strategy and how to build a winning team.
Sleeper Fantasy Football Players by Position
Now that we’ve covered the basics of sleeper fantasy football players, let’s dive into some position-specific sleepers to target in your draft.
Quarterback Sleepers
- Ryan Tannehill (Tennessee Titans): Tannehill showed flashes of brilliance in his first season with the Titans, and with a strong running game and improved receiving corps, he’s a sleeper to target.
- Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers): Roethlisberger is a veteran quarterback who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With a strong receiving corps and improved running game, he’s a sleeper to target.
- Jimmy Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers): Garoppolo is a talented quarterback who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With a strong running game and improved receiving corps, he’s a sleeper to target.
Running Back Sleepers
- Damien Harris (New England Patriots): Harris is a talented running back who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With Sony Michel’s injury history, Harris is a sleeper to target.
- Bryce Love (Washington Redskins): Love is a talented running back who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With Derrius Guice’s injury history, Love is a sleeper to target.
- Tony Jones Jr. (New Orleans Saints): Jones is a talented running back who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With Alvin Kamara’s injury history, Jones is a sleeper to target.
Wide Receiver Sleepers
- Michael Pittman Jr. (Indianapolis Colts): Pittman is a talented wide receiver who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With T.Y. Hilton’s injury history, Pittman is a sleeper to target.
- Laviska Shenault Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars): Shenault is a talented wide receiver who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With D.J. Chark’s injury history, Shenault is a sleeper to target.
- Brandon Aiyuk (San Francisco 49ers): Aiyuk is a talented wide receiver who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With Deebo Samuel’s injury history, Aiyuk is a sleeper to target.
Tight End Sleepers
- Ian Thomas (Carolina Panthers): Thomas is a talented tight end who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With Greg Olsen’s departure, Thomas is a sleeper to target.
- Dawson Knox (Buffalo Bills): Knox is a talented tight end who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With Josh Allen’s improvement, Knox is a sleeper to (New Orleans Saints):
Defense/Special Teams Sleepers
- Cleveland Browns Defense: The Browns have a stout defense that’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With a strong pass rush and improved secondary, they’re a sleeper to target.
- Los Angeles Chargers Defense: The Chargers have a stout defense that’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With a strong pass rush and improved secondary, they’re a sleeper to target.
- Harrison (Kansas City Chiefs):is a talented kicker who’s often overlooked by fantasy owners. With the Chiefs’ high-powered offense, he’s a sleeper to target.
Sleeper Fantasy Football Players to Watch in Preseason
The preseason is a great time to identify sleeper fantasy football players. Here are some players to watch:
- Quarterback: Jacob (Indianapolis Colts), Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers), and Jake Fromm (Buffalo Bills)
- Running Back: Moss (Buffalo Bills), Cam (Los Angeles Rams), and Vaughn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Wide Receiver: (New York Jets), Bryan Edwards (Las Vegas Raiders), and (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Tight End: Cole (Chicago Bears), Devin (New England Patriots), and Hunter Bryant (Detroit Lions)
Conclusion
Sleeper fantasy football players can be a great way to build a strong team without breaking the bank. By identifying undervalued players and using advanced strategies, you can uncover hidden gems and gain a competitive edge over your opponents. Remember to do your research, stay up-to-date , and watch preseason games to identify sleepers.
Keyword: Sleeper Fantasy Football
Semantically Relevant Keywords: Fantasy Football Sleepers, Undervalued Players, Breakout Players, Fantasy Football Draft, Fantasy Football Team.
- Fantasy Football Rankings: Check out our fantasy football rankings to see where our top sleepers fall.
