Picking sleepers key to a successful draft
Open your bedroom window, fantasy owner. Do you feel that rush of wind? That’s the draft. Your draft. You must prepare. Much of the NFL is predetermined: The Buccaneers will miss easy field goals, Corey Coleman will slather his gloves with a homemade mixture of butter and catfish oil, and unheralded players will become fantasy legends. Though such empirical evidence is known, preparing for your fantasy draft largely involves a measurement of intangibles.
Let me be your ruler as we dive under the currents of popular opinions into the depths of fantasy murk.
I need not mention names such as Julio Jones as he is already proven firepower.
The draft is 15 rounds — don’t tuck yourself into bed after the 10th. The best fireworks displays happen at night; don’t be asleep when these players explode into fantasy stardom.
2018 SLEEPERS
When it comes to drafting these players, most are sleeping on the opportunity. Wake up.
Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks Sleeper Level — Sunset
In a night game against the Colts last year, Carson’s kneecap, fibula, and ankle all hopped on different busses going different directions. The X-Ray looked like someone had mistaken his leg for a glow stick and cracked it in all sorts of fun spots.
Speaking of fun spots, Carson is a starting running back and is being drafted in the 11th round. There was already a chance that rookie Rashaad Penny would stay on the bench if Carson’s legs cooperated, but now Carson will be thrust into the starter role.
Penny had surgery Wednesday to repair a broken finger, though head coach Pete Carroll said he isn’t expected to miss more than a couple of weeks.
Seattle’s first-round pick out of San Diego State was injured during pass-blocking drills on Monday and left the field with trainers. Penny carried eight times for 16 yards in his preseason debut last Thursday against Indianapolis. He also caught two passes for seven yards, but now Carson will be in the spotlight.
Alex Smith, QB, Washington Redskins Sleeper Level — Midnight
Although this man’s name is the equivalent of dried oatmeal, Smith finished as the fourth-best fantasy QB overall last year. Just because his name is less exciting than a feature-length film titled Anemic Sawdust doesn’t mean you should sleep on his potential.
Smith’s receiving corps will be sans The Cheetah, but it is ludicrous how rarely his name is mentioned in any fantasy context.
George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers Sleeper Level — Lunar Eclipse
I will try and write this without mentioning how attractive Jimmy Garrapollo — QB of the 49ers — is because no one in sports seems to be able to do that.
Kittle ended off last season with two double-digit fantasy performances. Coming into his sophomore campaign, his legs will be fresher than morning produce and his opportunity is golden given the fact that the hottest man in football will be throwing him the ball. Damn.
Danny Amendola, WR, Miami Dolphins Sleeper Level — Coma
It is unlawful how forgotten this D.A. has become. Though last year’s Dolphins were more like sluggish manatees than anything else, Jarvis Landry’s slot position still proved profitable for fantasy — and it has been left wide open for Amendola to fill this year.
Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers Sleeper Level — Tombstone
I have watched football all my life; I have never once seen this man covered. Gates is always open in the back of the end zone. Turn around, right now. Do you see Gates? You can’t, because he’s in the back of your team’s end zone picking up six.
Though currently retired, there is a chance that Gates is re-signed by the Chargers. The moment he pens his contract is the moment he pops free for another TD.
Toby Collis Handford is a fourth-year English major at UBCO, a flag football wide receiver, and a fantasy football champion. Email: toby.collishandford@gmail.com.