Sleepers might be the most valuable resource in fantasy football. Digging deep into player profiles and projections can be the gold that buys you that fantasy football championship.
Here we are going to look at some sleepers for Fantasy Football, but first we have to define what a sleeper is because there are a lot of definitions out there. I base it on Average Draft Position (ADP).
Nobody is sleeping on Antonio Brown. In the same way, people aren’t sleeping on Jeremy Langford. Langford is a starter and is going to get a good amount of carries in Chicago.
Listen to Ben Stiller and make sure you do plenty of research on those sleepers or he might put you to bed before the playoffs.
For ADP, I’m using fantasypros.com consensus rankings.
| Quarterback | Drafted outside the top 20 |
| Running Back | Drafted outside the top 45 |
| Wide Receiver | Drafted outside the top 60 |
| Tight End | Drafted outside the top 20 |
Here are my favorite sleepers by position.
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
Ryan Tannehill has an average ADP of 22. Teddy Bridgewater, Tyrod Taylor, and Kirk Cousins are all drafted before Tannehill.
For three straight seasons, Ryan Tannehill has thrown for at least 3,900 yards and 24 touchdowns. That’s closer to Matthew Stafford range than it is to Sam Bradford range.
Now in Adam Gase’s offense, which saw Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler thrive, Tannehill has a shot to far exceed his ADP.
Robert Griffin III, Cleveland Browns
Robert Griffin III is getting a second chance at a starting gig.
Ruined by the Washington Redskins under Mike Shanahan, Griffin sees his fortunes turn with offensive mastermind turned head coach, Hue Jackson.
Equipped with a solid offensive line, above average running backs, and a plethora of receiving options, Robert Griffin III is poised for a return to the top of the QB Ranks.
Griffin currently has an ADP of 26, but I’m predicting a finish inside the top 12 in fantasy football.
Others: Jay Cutler, Teddy Bridgewater
Running Back
Chris Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
Gone are the days of CJ2K, but before his injury in 2015, Chris Johnson was having a very productive season for the Arizona Cardinals.
Given the opportunity to start again, after winning the job out of training camp, he averaged 74 yards a game for the high-octane Arizona offense.
Chris Johnson is now the backup to David Johnson, who is seeing the starting job after an impressive stretch of games in 2015. David Johnson, however, struggled in the final four games, including the playoffs.
If David Johnson struggles out of the gate, it would not surprise me to see Chris Johnson get a look. Currently drafted the 46th running back on average, Chris Johnson could be huge for your Fantasy Football team.
Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks
Christine Michael is not a very popular name Dallas Cowboys fans. Brought in to help carry the load after Joseph Randle struggled with life, Michael failed to keep his job.
Michael was cut three times in 2015 before finally landing back with the Seattle Seahawks. Now after a career “awakening,” the former Aggie is primed for a breakout season in 2016.
Thomas Rawls is still working his way back from injury, and by all accounts, Michael has been very impressive in training camp. Coaches and teammates have all lauded Michael’s renewed focus and commitment to the game.
With an ADP of RB70, Christine Michael could win you a fantasy football championship. Michael is getting a ton of buzz at the moment, so he may not be a sleeper for much longer.
Others: Paul Perkins, Wendell Smallwood
Wide Receivers
Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Terrance Williams became the most popular Cowboys starter that many wanted to replace. Count me as a fan who thought they should give Brice Butler a shot at starting opposite Dez Bryant.
Williams has stepped up his game in training camp. Throughout camp, many have noted that his route running has improved and he’s brought a new ferocity in his run blocking.
With an ADP of 70, Tony Romo returning, and a backup quarterback (Dak Prescott) who can throw a deep ball, Terrance Williams has a really good shot at a 1,000 yard season and double digit touchdowns.
Tajae Sharp, Tennessee Titans
Tajae Sharp was drafted in the fifth round by the Titans in 2016. The former UMASS product has been recently turning heads with his play in the preseason. He stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and can catch the football. Against Carolina this preseason, he amassed 6 catches for 68 yards in the first half.
He seems to have earned the trust of Quarterback Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee coaching staff.
The Titans are pretty deep at Wide Receiver, so predicting a target distribution is difficult.
Others: Will Fuller, Houston; Pierre Garcon, Washington; Mike Wallace, Baltimore
Tight Ends
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Austin Seferian-Jenkins was a popular pick in fantasy football drafts before preseason activities started. A twitter rant put him in the doghouse with the coaching staff in Tampa Bay, and he’s had to fight his way back since. He was demoted to the second team.
In May, he had an overall ADP of 90. At the end of July, post-Twitter rant and post-demotion, his ADP was in the 130s.
Compare that to teammate Cameron Brate. In May, Brate had an average draft position in the 320s. At the end of July, his ADP now sits in the 220s.
Don’t let the ADPs fool you; Austin Seferian-Jenkins is by far the more talented tight end. With the preseason coming to a close and the regular season nigh upon us, Seferian-Jenkins has now taken back some of the first team snaps and is trending toward starting in week one.
Others: Benjamin Watson, Baltimore; Clive Walford, Oakland; Will Tye, New York Giants
