Possible Sleepers
Here’s a sleeper from each NFL team to help your fantasy football draft preparation:
De’Angelo Henderson, RB: The speedy Henderson is built like a fire hydrant (5-foot-7, 205 pounds) and is currently fourth on the depth chart, but everyone in front of him is either hurt or has a history of being hurt.
Kareem Hunt, RB: Hunt will be the next, great fantasy running back under Andy Reid—including Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles—not Spencer Ware.
Hunter Henry, TE: Gates not starting his “Canton” clock already is the only thing keeping Henry from superstardom.
DeAndre Washington, RB: Marshawn Lynch’s likely backup who averaged 5.4 yards per carry during his rookie season and could take advantage of Oakland’s top-end offensive line if Lynch doesn’t return to form.
D’Onta Foreman, RB: He’s another rookie backup who would likely shine if presented with an opportunity.
Erik Swoope, TE: The matchup nightmare underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, but he’ll be ready for Week 1. The other Colts tight end, Jack Doyle, is a solid pick as well.
Blake Bortles, QB: It’s easy to forget he averaged more points per game than Dak Prescott, Jameis Winston, Derek Carr and Russell Wilson last season while throwing 12 fewer touchdowns. There’s a chance he goes undrafted in your league.
Rishard Matthews, WR: He scored nine touchdowns over the final 12 games last season and is more familiar with the system than Eric Decker.
Breshad Perriman, WR: Remember when I mentioned thirdyear wide receivers? Perriman continues to battle health issues, but he’s a former first-round pick who averaged 15.1 yards per catch last season in a pass-heavy offense.
Andy Dalton, QB: Dalton is being drafted as a QB2, but he has top-10 potential if most of his weapons stay healthy.
Kenny Britt, WR: If there is anyone who has proven he can produce despite horrendous quarterback play, it’s Britt.
James Conner, RB: The rookie will likely be one of the most sought after handcuffs in fantasy, given Le’Veon Bell’s injury history.
Jonathan Williams, RB: Mike Gillislee scored nine total touchdowns as LeSean McCoy’s primary backup last season.
Julius Thomas, TE: If he stays healthy, eight to 10 touchdowns is a possibility with Jay Cutler quarterbacking Adam Gase’s offense.
Dwayne Allen, TE: Martellus Bennett produced 701 receiving yards with seven TDs last season as New England’s TE2. Allen is a proven red zone threat.
Bilal Powell, RB: Powell could become a PPR superstar considering how much this team will have to pass, especially in garbage time.
J.J. Nelson, WR: Nelson’s targets could explode if John Brown can’t stay healthy. He had 30 targets over the final three games of 2016.
Joseph Williams, RB: Kyle Shanahan reportedly threatened to burn down Santa Clara if John Lynch didn’t draft the Utah prospect.
Paul Richardson, WR: Despite suffering an AC sprain (shoulder) in the first preseason game, I still believe he’s capable of breaking out this season. The hype-train is only delayed.
Cooper Kupp, WR: The rookie projects as reliable underneath target for Jared Goff, who will likely check down as much as he can.
Austin Hooper, TE: He only saw 27 targets last season, but his two catches for 40-plus yards tied for second in the NFL among all tight ends.
Coby Fleener, TE: Fleener disappointed big time last season, but he’s more familiar with the playbook now and expecting an uptick in targets. There’s top-10 potential here for someone whose ADP is in the 13th round.