Fantasy: 7 super-deep sleepers for 2018
- Breakouts to target
- Busts to avoid
- Sleepers to steal
- Risky picks to gamble on
- Bounce-back candidates
- Super-deep sleepers
Even with fantasy owners entering drafts more prepared than ever, some players still slip through the cracks.
In an effort to shine a light on the unnoticed or outright ignored, we've built a list of players way off the fantasy radar who could become relevant if things fall their way during the season. Keep them on your watch list and be ready to pounce when their opportunity arises.
Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.
Chad Kelly, QB, Broncos
The Broncos used the final pick of the 2017 NFL Draft on Kelly, then allowed him to sit for his entire rookie season while he recovered from a torn ACL. The year off gave Kelly a chance to learn the offense and get acclimated to the pro game. He enters his sophomore season competing for the No. 2 job with disappointing former first-rounder Paxton Lynch. Few people are giving Kelly a legitimate chance to ever emerge as the Broncos' starter, but the nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly is a relentless worker who's earning rave reviews this offseason. If Case Keenum falters or gets injured, Kelly might be the next man up in an upgraded Broncos offense.
Overachiever Potential: a...a...a...aa
ADP: Undrafted
When a team is as run-heavy as the Jaguars, it's never a bad idea to get familiar with their depth chart in the event of an injury. Starter Leonard Fournette is a top-10 fantasy back, but he continued to deal with a variety of ailments in his rookie season. Former backup Chris Ivory departed in free agency, leaving behind 112 carries and 28 targets and opening the door for T.J. Yeldon, who saw 79 touches of his own in 2017. Grant now slides in as the dynamic third option after showing game-breaking skills in extremely limited action the last two seasons. If Fournette is sidelined at any point, Grant will become an intriguing waiver-wire add with the potential to sneak into fantasy lineups.
Overachiever Potential: a...a...a...a...a
ADP: Undrafted
In our sleepers article, we identified Tyrod Taylor as a target, given his potential as an early-season streamer before Baker Mayfield eventually takes over in Cleveland. Williams profiles very similarly, offering short-term upside while Mark Ingram serves his four-game suspension. The Saints have already suggested they aren't interested in overworking Alvin Kamara in September, which means they'll need another back in the mix. Sixth-rounder Boston Scott is 5-foot-6, 199 pounds, and plays like Kamara. It's Williams who should be viewed as Ingram's direct backup, with the size and speed to be a nice fill-in during his absence. Fantasy owners drafting in August can monitor this situation in the preseason, but early drafters in deeper leagues should consider stashing Williams now.
Overachiever Potential: a...a...a...aa
ADP: Undrafted
The Seahawks have the fifth-most vacated targets from 2017 after letting several players leave in free agency, including Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson. Perennial Pro Bowler Doug Baldwin returns as Russell Wilson's favorite option, but the depth chart behind him is a wide-open competition. Deep threat Tyler Lockett has failed to emerge as a reliable member of the offense, while offseason acquisitions Jaron Brown and Marcus Johnson have never been steady contributors on their teams. Darboh's chance to break into the starting lineup follows a quiet rookie season as a late third-round pick. With Wilson powering the offense, one of Seattle's receivers will provide fantasy owners with value. Darboh is worth scouting throughout the offseason to see if he can prove Richard Sherman wrong.
Overachiever Potential: a...a...a...a...a
ADP: Undrafted
Taylor's ceiling isn't nearly as high as some of the other players on this list, but he could end up with the most consistent role. Bright young offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur joined from the Rams in a coaching change that's restored hope to the Titans' attack, and the receiving corps is poised to make a leap thanks to an improved system capable of getting the most out of Marcus Mariota. Corey Davis projects as the team's No. 1, with veteran Rishard Matthews lining up across from him and Taylor sliding into the slot. Playing behind Davis, Matthews, and Pro Bowl tight end Delanie Walker will cap Taylor's upside, but he's an explosive weapon who will pop up for some big games, making him an excellent late-round target in best ball leagues.
Overachiever Potential: a...a...a...aa
ADP: Undrafted
Reynolds would have made our sleepers list before the Rams traded for Brandin Cooks, a move that blocks him from cracking the team's three-wide sets. Now fantasy owners will need an injury to one of Cooks, Robert Woods, or Cooper Kupp before they can unlock Reynolds' value. The second-year wideout showed a nose for the end zone in college with 12-plus touchdowns in two of his three of his seasons at Texas A&M, and scored once as a rookie despite catching just 11 passes on limited snaps. In Sean McVay's high-octane attack, Reynolds could be a late-season fantasy star if a starting spot opens up.
Overachiever Potential: a...a...a...aa
ADP: Undrafted
The one-year deals that Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo received don't exactly instill confidence that either will be able to fill the Eric Ebron-sized void in the Lions' offense. For all his flaws, Ebron finished as a top-12 fantasy tight end each of the last three seasons, averaging 54 receptions, 607 yards, and three touchdowns. In a move that may have foreshadowed Ebron's departure, Detroit used a fourth-round pick on another pass-catching tight end, Roberts, in last year's draft. The sophomore might need a little more seasoning before he's ready for a breakout, but fantasy owners need to pay close attention to determine if Roberts' arrival is coming in 2018.
Overachiever Potential: a...a...a...aa
ADP: Undrafted
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
More from this series- Breakouts to target
- Busts to avoid
- Sleepers to steal
- Risky picks to gamble on
- Bounce-back candidates
- Super-deep sleepers
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