Last week was all about the guys that were going too high, now it's time for the potential hidden gems to shine. Here are my position by position picks for the top sleepers in Fantasy Football this year.
Quarterback: Matt Ryan (Falcons) (Yahoo!: 123.2 ESPN: 152.0)
There's every reason to believe that new Falcons head coach Arthur Smith intends to utilize the same run-driven scheme that brought him tremendous success during his tenure as the Titans offensive coordinator in Atlanta. The only thing standing in the way of fully implementing that system is a truly abysmal defense that is likely going to regularly put the Falcons on the undesirable end of a lopsided game. This scenario would be the best possible outcome for Ryan's fantasy stock. His steady presence/accuracy from the pocket and the pretty full chest of weapons (Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts, Russell Gage, Mike Davis) that is currently surrounding him seems like the perfect blueprint for him to become this year's shameless stat-padding garbage time god.
Honorable Mentions: Kirk Cousins (Vikings), Baker Mayfield (Browns), Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)
Deep Sleeper: Sam Darnold (Panthers)
Rookie Sleeper: Zach Wilson (Jets)
Running Back: Damien Harris (Patriots) (Yahoo!: 82.4 ESPN: 104.7)
While a backfield that looks to be as crowded as the one the Patriots are fielding heading into 2021 isn't usually the most desirable situation for Fantasy Football, Harris seems like he'll be in a good position to at least seize a majority of the running game touches from the likes of James White, Sony Michel and rookie Rhamondre Stevenson, and subsequently become the leader in the timeshare. The 3rd year back was very impressive in a semi-featured role last season (137 CAR/691 YDS/4 TD in 10 games) and if the Patriots can establish just enough of a passing game to clear the consistently stacked boxes that slowed him down a bit in 2020, Harris should be able to greatly overperform the RB3/4 status that he's currently saddled with.
Honorable Mentions: James Robinson (Jaguars), Ronald Jones II (Buccaneers), Zack Moss (Bills)
Deep Sleeper: Boston Scott (Eagles)
Rookie Sleeper: Michael Carter (Jets)
Wide Receiver: Corey Davis (Jets) (Yahoo!: 124.0 ESPN: 121.2)
The move up to East Rutherford could end up tremendously benefiting Davis-who was a notoriously erratic, streaky player during his 4 seasons with the run-dominant Titans. Not only is Davis being treated as an undisputed top target for the 1st time in his career (he's received a whopping 11 targets in 2 preseason games despite playing limited snaps), his early rapport with rookie quarterback Zach Wilson has been tremendous and a presumed lack of exciting secondary options outside of the currently injured rookie Elijah Moore and 2nd year wild card Denzel Mims means Davis could have an uncharacteristically busy year ahead of him
Honorable Mentions: Laviska Shenault (Jaguars), Darnell Mooney (Bears), Michael Pittman Jr. Colts)
Deep Sleeper: Marquez Callaway (Saints)
Rookie Sleeper: Elijah Moore (Jets)
Tight End: Mike Gesicki (Dolphins) (Yahoo!: 114.9 ESPN: 112.3)
Gesicki settled into a nice groove with Tua Tagovailoa at the end of last season (25 REC/284/4 TD's in the final 5 games Gesicki played in) and with all of the other top Dolphins passcatchers either being hurt (Will Fuller, DeVante Parker, Preston Williams) or rookies (Jaylen Waddle, Hunter Long) that still need time to adjust to the pro game, that established rapport should help the 4th year tight end earn a much larger portion of the target share than he's gotten in the past.
Honorable Mentions: Irv Smith Jr. (Vikings), Austin Hooper (Browns), Anthony Firkser (Titans)
Deep Sleeper: Mo-Allie Cox (Colts)
Rookie Sleeper: Pat Friermuth (Steelers)
Defense/Special Teams: Browns (Yahoo!: 117.7 ESPN: 148.7)
The huge offseason additions of John Johnson III, Jadeveon Clowney and Troy Hill paired with the return of a healthy Denzel Ward and Myles Garett puts the Browns D in the best spot its been in recent memory. Considering that they were already a fringe starting-caliber fantasy defense last year (38 sacks, 11 INT's, 10 FUM REC's, 5 BLK KICKS, 3 TD's). they should be able to challenge for at least a top 10 overall spot this year with a group that is pretty much a lock to get more sacks and takeaways.
Honorable Mentions: Patriots, Broncos, Dolphins
Deep Sleeper: Giants
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