Fantasy: Early 2022 deep sleeper candidates for every NFL team

With free agency and the draft still ahead, NFL rosters will undergo seismic changes over the next few months.

Before the shuffling begins, let's take an early look at some under-the-radar players fantasy managers might be sleeping on heading into the 2022 season.

Arizona Cardinals

Eno Benjamin, RB - With James Conner and Chase Edmonds both hitting free agency, the Cardinals could give Benjamin a bigger role in 2022. The 22-year-old former seventh-round pick saw at least nine touches twice this season and was solid both times, turning in 39 yards and a touchdown versus the 49ers as well as 56 yards and four catches against the Seahawks. Even if Arizona re-signs one of their backs or drafts a new starter, Benjamin could be a nice No. 2 option next season.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Atlanta Falcons

Qadree Ollison, RB - After a breakout season as Atlanta's lead back, Cordarrelle Patterson's contract is up. If the Falcons don't keep him, they'll have a wide-open spot at the top of their depth chart. Though Ollison hasn't given us reason to think he can fill that void through three NFL campaigns, he was efficient on extremely limited touches this year. Chasing less talented RBs who could see a volume increase doesn't always pay off, but don't be surprised if Ollison ends up as the main backup behind the new starter.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Baltimore Ravens

Tylan Wallace, WR - Wallace is a long way from being a fantasy starter; he's buried on the depth chart in a passing offense still waiting to make the leap with Lamar Jackson under center. However, the young wideout was a big-time producer in college before his knee issues. After a slow beginning to his pro career, the rookie earned more snaps in the final month. With Sammy Watkins likely gone, Wallace will now compete for Baltimore's third receiver job with Devin Duvernay and James Proche.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Buffalo Bills Kevin Hoffman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Isaiah McKenzie, WR - While McKenzie is slated to reach free agency in March, it would be surprising if Brandon Beane doesn't find a way to get him back in a Bills uniform for 2022. Over the last two years, McKenzie has only been on the field for over 50% of the offensive snaps twice, resulting in stat lines of 6-65-2 and 11-125-1. Buffalo could also save $6.1 million by cutting 32-year-old Cole Beasley, who's numbers dropped off considerably this season.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Carolina Panthers

Tommy Tremble, TE - With new coordinator Ben McAdoo in town, the Panthers could start using the tight ends more in their offensive attack. Tremble did stay involved as a rookie with at least one reception in his last 10 appearances. He's a quality pass-catcher and possesses strong run-after-the-catch skills, which could make him an intriguing late-round stash.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Chicago Bears

Dazz Newsome, WR - The almost guaranteed departure of Allen Robinson in free agency will open up opportunity in the Bears' receiving room. Barring a major offseason addition, Darnell Mooney will lead the group, but there will be a wide-open competition behind him. Newsome, last year's sixth-round pick, had his rookie season derailed by a broken collarbone in the summer. He returned and was able to carve out a small role late in the year. Now he'll have a chance to build on that and possibly challenge for the starting slot receiver job.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Cincinnati Bengals

Drew Sample, TE - Most of the Bengals' skill position talent is under contract for 2022, but tight end C.J. Uzomah is an unrestricted free agent. If the team doesn't elect to re-sign the veteran, Sample could step into his starting spot. However, much like Uzomah, the fourth-year tight end would still project as a bye-week fill-in rather than an every-week fantasy starter.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Cleveland Browns

Anthony Schwartz, WR - Betting on the Browns' pass-catchers hasn't been a profitable move for fantasy managers the last couple seasons. The design of their offense has been built around the run, and when they do throw, they tend to spread the ball around. Fortunately for Schwartz, he might not need many targets to make an impact. His elite, straight-line speed could turn him into a valuable big-play threat for Cleveland, as we witnessed in his pro debut this year when he turned three receptions into 69 yards while adding another 17 yards on his lone carry.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Dallas Cowboys Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Cedrick Wilson, WR - Technically Wilson is about to become a free agent, but so are his current teammates Michael Gallup, Malik Turner, and Noah Brown. As an injury replacement, Wilson proved he's capable of serving as the third receiver in Dallas' attack, posting at least 60 yards and/or a touchdown in five of his last 11 games. The 26-year-old would also be cheaper to bring back than Gallup. If the Cowboys choose that path, expect Wilson to emerge as a boom-or-bust flex option behind CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Denver Broncos

Mike Boone, RB - Boone became a forgotten man in the Broncos' backfield after a quad injury forced him to miss the first five weeks of the season. Even after he made it back into the lineup, his contributions primarily came on special teams. However, if Melvin Gordon signs with a new club in free agency, Boone could emerge as the new No. 2 behind budding star Javonte Williams.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Detroit Lions

Josh Reynolds, WR - Though all eyes were on rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown during his breakout down the stretch, we shouldn't overlook what Reynolds did after joining the Lions midseason. Drawing on his connection with Jared Goff from their time together on the Rams, Reynolds eclipsed 50 yards in four straight games during the second half of the year. It's unclear how much the Lions will invest in their receiving corps moving forward, but Reynolds deserves a shot to remain a starter in this offense.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Green Bay Packers

Amari Rodgers, WR - This will be a busy offseason for the Packers as they deal with the future of Aaron Rodgers and make decisions on free-agent wideouts Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Depending on how those situations work out, we could see third-round pass-catcher Amari Rodgers get more work in Year 2. Remember, Green Bay took a similar approach with running back A.J. Dillon; the team barely used him as a rookie before giving him a significant weekly role as a sophomore.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Houston Texans

Brevin Jordan, TE - Jordan didn't get an opportunity on offense until midway through the season, but he flashed his pass-catching upside after hauling in three passes for 41 yards and a score in his first real action in Week 8. The 21-year-old followed that up with three touchdowns over the remainder of the campaign. Tight end is a position where rookies rarely play major roles, so the best is yet to come from Jordan.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Indianapolis Colts Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Mike Strachan, WR - After some offseason hype, the seventh-rounder was unable to make his mark during the regular season. Perhaps the jump from Charleston (Division II) to the pros will ultimately prove to be too much for him, but the Colts need help at receiver behind Michael Pittman. Parris Campbell continues to deal with injuries, Zach Pascal has a limited ceiling, and T.Y. Hilton is a free agent who's closing in on retirement. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Strachan could develop into a nice complementary piece.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Jacksonville Jaguars

Laquon Treadwell, WR - One of the biggest surprises of the fantasy season was the incredibly delayed emergence of 2016 first-round wideout Laquon Treadwell. With D.J. Chark out for the year, Treadwell stepped up as a consistent producer in a discombobulated Jaguars offense - delivering seven straight games with at least 50 yards or a touchdown. That should be enough reason for both the Jags and Treadwell to give this partnership another chance in 2022.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Kansas City Chiefs

Mecole Hardman, WR - Hardman is a well fantasy managers keep going back to, but so far the production has been hard to predict. Even attached to Patrick Mahomes, Hardman has been nearly impossible to trust in fantasy lineups. And yet, he continues to be a fantasy sleeper as someone with the tools to provide week-winning performances - though he might need a lengthy Tyreek Hill injury in order to get there consistently.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Las Vegas Raiders

Foster Moreau, TE - Moreau has been stuck playing second fiddle behind Darren Waller, but he got an opportunity to spread his wings this season with Waller sidelined for part of the year. Moreau reached 50 yards or scored a TD six times, including three of his last four outings. The arrival of new head coach Josh McDaniels has also brought talk of two tight end sets, which could help Moreau become a more frequent contributor.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Los Angeles Chargers

Tre' McKitty, TE - McKitty wasn't a player who interested me coming out of college and it still seems unlikely he'll turn into a true fantasy factor. The reasons we have to highlight him here is because Jared Cook and Stephen Anderson are heading to free agency. Since the Chargers spent a third-round pick on McKitty last year, it's possible they envision him as the long-term option at the position.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Los Angeles Rams Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Jacob Harris, TE - Harris was viewed as a project when the Rams took him in the fourth round of last year's draft. As a raw prospect, it was always going to take him a while to develop in the pros and that timetable was likely extended when he suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 9. If he can make it back to full health, the 24-year-old offers outrageous athletic metrics with his 40-yard dash, burst score, agility score, and catch radius all ranking in the 99th or 100th percentile. We just might not see him reach his potential for another year or two.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Miami Dolphins

Hunter Long, TE - Long might not have the athletic ceiling of Harris, but his opportunity to seize the starting job might come sooner. If Mike Gesicki leaves in free agency, Long could be asked to take over as the Dolphins' starter next season. Keep your expectations in check though, since Long is more of a solid all-around player than someone who could be a fantasy difference-maker.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Minnesota Vikings

Kene Nwangwu, RB - We've mentioned several running backs who could move into key backup situations next season, and Nwangwu should be near the top of that list. With Alexander Mattison performing well in his handful of relief starts, there should be plenty of interest in him during free agency. That means the sophomore Nwangwu could enter Week 1 as the next man up if Dalvin Cook gets hurt. It's worth noting that Cook has missed at least two games in every season of his career.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

New England Patriots

J.J. Taylor, RB - Taylor hasn't done much since landing in New England and he's clearly behind Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson in the Patriots' backfield pecking order. Even so, if veterans James White and Brandon Bolden sign elsewhere in free agency, Taylor could be moving up the depth chart.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

New Orleans Saints

Lil'Jordan Humphrey, WR - While it was nice to see a former undrafted free agent like Humphrey get involved in the second half of the season, he remains a long shot for fantasy purposes. The Saints quarterback situation is unsettled and it's possible Michael Thomas returns to the receiving corps, which would bump Humphrey down in the order. However, if he can become a regular, Humphrey has the long frame and contested-catch ability to be an interesting late-round flier in best ball.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

New York Giants

Antonio Williams, RB - This signing may have flown under the radar recently, but one of the first moves new Giants general manager Joe Schoen made was signing Williams, who was with him in Buffalo. Fantasy managers should remember Williams for his Week 17 performance in 2020 when he totaled 83 yards from scrimmage and a score on 13 touches. From my vantage point, that performance warranted another opportunity and now Williams may get it in New York where he'll compete for a role behind Saquon Barkley.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

New York Jets

Kenny Yeboah, TE - It may seem like there are too many tight ends on this list, but it's a position we've seen plenty of unheralded players earn fantasy starter status. The Jets' passing attack isn't a place you generally want to look for sleepers though, so take this one with a grain of salt. Though Yeboah has an outside shot to be the starting tight end in New York, his chances of getting on the fantasy radar will require a big leap forward from quarterback Zach Wilson.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Philadelphia Eagles Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Kenneth Gainwell, RB - Despite being held in a complementary role, the rookie runner had his moments this season.

• Week 1: 43 yards, TD
• Week 4: 89 yards, TD
• Week 7: 61 yards, TD
• Week 13: 87 yards, TD
• Week 18: 87 yards, TD

Gainwell also caught 33 passes and proved he can be a playmaker at the next level. With another year of experience under his belt, he should be the favorite to back up Miles Sanders in 2022. It wouldn't be shocking to see him turn into a fantasy starter thanks to his pass-catching production.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Dwayne Haskins, QB - This is simply an acknowledgment that the team is planning on placing an original-round tender on Haskins in an effort to keep him on the roster next season. That would give him a chance to compete for the top spot, and we all know Mason Rudolph doesn't deserve the job. Haskins was wildly inaccurate during his time in Washington and would need to show serious improvement to be considered by Mike Tomlin, but he is a former first-round pick. If the Steelers come away empty-handed in the offseason, it's not impossible Haskins turns into a waiver wire steal in superflex dynasty leagues.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

San Francisco 49ers

Trey Sermon, RB - Elijah Mitchell is the starter, but don't give up on Sermon just yet. As we know, the 49ers' backfield can produce quality fantasy starters regardless of who's in the lineup. If Mitchell misses games in 2022 or beyond, Sermon could pop up as a temporary solution the way Jeff Wilson did this season. Always save a spot on your bench for Kyle Shanahan's running backs.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Seattle Seahawks

Dee Eskridge, WR - Ever the optimist, Pete Carroll threw his support behind Eskridge after the season saying he was "going to be a really impactful player." While it's always good to have your coach's confidence, an Eskridge breakout might take some time. He's currently behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in an offense that ran the fewest plays in the league this season. We also don't know for sure if Russell Wilson will be back. So while Eskridge's speed is tempting, he'll need a few things to go his way before he makes a splash in fantasy.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Jaelon Darden, WR - Tom Brady retiring lowers the ceiling for the entire Bucs' passing attack. However, Brady isn't the only moving piece when it comes to Tampa's offense. Rob Gronkowski could follow him into retirement and Chris Godwin could test free agency after his late-season ACL tear. With Antonio Brown already released, we could see a much different product on paper in 2022. That creates opportunities for young wideouts Darden, Tyler Johnson, and Scotty Miller.

Darden is the newest on the scene and made his biggest contribution as a return specialist. Like most first-year players, he admitted it took a while for the game to slow down for him. With a possible need for playmakers in the passing game, the explosive sophomore may slide into more targets next season.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Tennessee Titans

Darrynton Evans, RB - Prior to the season, it appeared as though Evans was poised to back up workhorse Derrick Henry. Sadly, for the second straight year, an injury sidelined him for the majority of the season. Time might be running out for the dynamic ball barrier to prove himself in Tennessee, but he should get another shot since D'Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard are both free agents.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

Washington Redskins

Jaret Patterson, RB - Patterson has to be happy with how his first NFL campaign played out. He went from undrafted free agent to a No. 2 back behind Antonio Gibson by season's end. In his lone start in Week 17, Patterson rushed 12 times for 57 yards, caught five passes for 41 yards, and found the end zone - finishing as the RB11 on the week. It's a role he could maintain if J.D. McKissic leaves in free agency.

Fantasy sleeper potential:

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