Earlier this week, I focused on the overvalued high round picks that could blow up your season. Now, I turn my attention to the potential late round gems that are pivotal to just about every fantasy championship run. Here are my top sleepers heading into 2019.
Quarterback: Jameis Winston (Buccaneers) (ADP: Yahoo!: 118.3, ESPN: 159.5, NFL.com: 145.3)
A tendency to have a few multi-turnover games each season along with some accuracy problems has limited Winston's fantasy appeal over the past couple of years. However, 2019 may mark a return to glory for the Bucs gunslinger. Pairing an already lethal passing attack (#1 in the league last season) with a bright veteran coach in Bruce Arians that loves to air it out and the fact that Winston is playing for a new contract puts him on the QB1 radar as long as his INT total doesn't get too out of hand.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Brady (Patriots), Mitch Trubisky (Bears), Kirk Cousins (Vikings)
Deep Sleeper: Sam Darnold (Jets)
Running Back: Austin Ekeler (Chargers) (ADP: Yahoo!: 108.9, ESPN: 97.9, NFL.com: 123.1 )
If any training camp holdout ends up carrying over into the season, it's more than likely going to be Melvin Gordon. The Chargers are a notoriously stubborn organization that has no problem engaging in contract standoffs plus they have the luxury of having veteran backups that can step into starting lineup while Gordon's away from the team. The very real possibility that Gordon doesn't suit up for at least a portion of this season makes Ekeler a tremendous value at his current draft position. Running backs play a massive role in Ken Wisenhunt's offense and while he's not as elusive or powerful as Gordon, Ekeler boasts a similar versatility and should be productive enough to be a weekly RB2.
Honorable Mentions: Royce Freeman (Broncos), Darrell Henderson (Rams), Duke Johnson Jr. (Texans)
Deep Sleeper: Kallen Ballage (Dolphins)
Wide Receiver: Cortland Sutton (Broncos) (ADP: Yahoo!: 118.5 ESPN: 130.9 NFL.com: 133.7)
Joe Flacco may not be at his elite peak anymore, but the man still loves to sling the ball downfield. In his new home in Denver, the best bet to be on the other end of those frequent deep throws is Sutton. The SMU product quietly registered 42 REC/704 YD/4 TD during his rookie campaign last season, the competition behind him (Tim Patrick, DaSean Hamilton, rookie Noah Fant, 32-year old Emmanuel Sanders-who is coming of an Achilles tear) isn't particularly strong and early reports out of camp is that him and Flacco appear to be developing a strong rapport. If Sutton does end up becoming Flacco's preferred target, a 1,000+ yard season seems feasible.
Honorable Mentions: Dede Westbrook (Jaguars), John Brown (Bills), Golden Tate (Giants)
Deep Sleeper: Kenny Stills (Dolphins)
Tight End: Mark Andrews (Ravens) (ADP: Yahoo!: 129.2, ESPN: 163.8, NFL.com: 145.4)
There's not single a late round player I covet this year more than Andrews. At a position with minimal depth, Andrews offers the ceiling of a 5th-6th round pick at a juncture of the draft where YOLO picks tend to reign supreme. The notable bump in production (13 REC, 308 YDS, 1 TD) he experienced in Lamar Jackson's 7 starts last season along with the advantage he has of being a holdover in a largely overhauled receiving corps makes him a formidable contender to emerge as the Ravens top receiving option in 2019.
Honorable Mentions: Vance McDonald (Steelers), Jack Doyle (Colts), Chris Herndon (Jets)
Deep Sleeper: Darren Waller (Raiders)
Defense/Special Teams: Cowboys (ADP: Yahoo!: 126.1, ESPN: 163.1, NFL.com: 136.6)
Takeaway totals are the only thing preventing each great real life defense I've mentioned here from being considered top-tier fantasy options. With their promising young defensive backs, the Cowboys have the best chance of anyone in this group of fixing that problem this season. Plus their front 7 is loaded and they have a number of very sketchy offenses on their schedule this season (Bills, Dolphins, Redskins, Giants).
Honorable Mentions: Bills, Colts, Broncos
Deep Sleeper: Titans
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