32 sleepers, busts for NFL season that begins Thursday
Analyzing a game that features an oblong shaped ball with a mind of its own can be a challenge.
So I’ve learned to appreciate my good and bad calls. It all comes from a genuine place of attempting to provide a better understanding of possible outcomes so you’re armed with enough information to accomplish your goal (i.e., win your league).
Good sleepers (Lamar Jackson, Darren Waller, Allen Robinson and Courtland Sutton) and busts (Adam Thielen, Kerryon Johnson, Le’veon Bell, James Conner and Jaguars D/ST) from 2019.
Bad sleepers (Zay Jones, Rashaad Penny and Damien Harris) and busts (Jarvis Landry, Dak Prescott, Chris Carson and Cooper Kupp) from 2019.
This season will feature its own unique challenges, but this doesn’t change the foundational information you require.
The Preamble: The bedrock of great preparation for your fantasy football season is determining the players you can draft later and yet still reap a solid value (sleepers) and/or the players you shouldn’t draft at all (busts).
Being able to discern between the two will make all the difference in establishing a championship DNA for your fantasy squad.
Here are my sleepers and busts for the 2020 fantasy football season:
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Arizona Cardinals
Sleeper: Chase Edmonds, RB Kenyan Drake was a secondround pick (Average draft position: 20) before we found out he was in a walking boot for precautionary reasons. If Drake misses any time or is hampered in any way, Edmonds would prove to be a must-start fantasy play.
Bust: Deandre Hopkins, WR My gut tells me Kyler Murray won’t force-feed Hopkins the target share he was accustomed to in Houston (30% of the team’s total the past two years), because Kliff Kingsbury’s offense doesn’t work that way. Of course,
Hopkins will still be good, but he’s no longer a top-five fantasy receiver.
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Atlanta Falcons
Sleeper: Hayden Hurst, TE Hurst is currently being drafted outside of the top 120 and he has top-five potential at tight end. Bust: Todd Gurley, RB
Honestly, I don’t believe there’s a legit bust option on the Falcons. Gurley’s risk is already priced in (he’s currently the 15th running back off the board), but I have to pick someone so I pick on the dude with the arthritic knee. If you draft Gurley, make sure you select him in the proper place (third or fourth round) and make sure your expectations are based on his scoring acumen (54 total touchdowns over the past three seasons).
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Baltimore Ravens
Sleeper: Miles Boykin, WR Boykin’s athletic profile (he’s big and fast) and red zone ability endeared him to Lamar Jackson in spurts during his rookie season. I expect a leap forward as this passing game continues to evolve and defenses do their best to sell-out against the run. He’s currently going undrafted in most leagues.
Bust: Mark Ingram, RB
The former Heisman winner is on the wrong side of 30 for a running back and it’s only a matter of time before rookie J.K. Dobbins breaks through.
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Buffalo Bills
Sleeper: Dawson Knox, TE
I see big games in Knox’s future. There’s more talent out wide with the addition of Stefon Diggs, which will lead to one-on-one matchups down the seam the second-year tight end can surely take advantage of.
Bust: Devin Singletary, RB I would’ve been leading the Singletary hype parade down Main Street if the Bills hadn’t drafted Zack Moss. Moss is a much, much, much younger version of future Hall of Famer Frank Gore (assuming he ever actually retires).
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