Fantasy: 7 sleepers to steal at the end of your draft
Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
A fantasy sleeper can be defined in many ways, but we're aiming to find players flying under the radar who could emerge as significant fantasy assets.
Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator and is based on 12-team leagues with standard scoring.
Case Keenum, QB, Broncos
Wait ... didn't Keenum break out last year while leading the Vikings deep into the postseason? He did - finishing as the QB14 - but after signing with the Broncos in free agency, he has become a forgotten man in fantasy circles. The landing spot might not be quite as bountiful as the Vikings' offense, yet Denver still offers many of the same luxuries Keenum was afforded in Minnesota, including a strong receiving corps led by a pair of stars, an improving offensive line, and a stout defense. If he can get on the same page with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, he'll provide a nice return for fantasy owners who scoop him up outside of the top 20 QBs on draft day.
Overachiever Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: 13th round (QB22)
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Browns
Baker Mayfield is the future in Cleveland, so anyone who selects Taylor needs to know this isn't a full-season investment. Taylor is an excellent early-season streamer who could hold onto the job longer than anyone expects thanks to the best supporting cast of his career. Even with limited weapons, Taylor had a solid track record of fantasy production during his time with the Bills, finishing in the top 10 among QBs for average fantasy points per game in both 2015 and 2016. Taylor doesn't turn the ball over much and uses his rushing to help propel the offense, qualities that help support his fantasy output. The party might not last long, but owning Taylor will definitely be fun for as long as he remains the starter.
Overachiever Potential: ★★★☆☆
ADP: 13th round (QB23)
Devontae Booker, RB, Broncos
After failing to stand out in his first seasons, Booker hasn't exactly captivated the fantasy community. When the Broncos used a third-round pick on Royce Freeman in April, everyone was quick to anoint the rookie as the team's new lead back. However, longtime Broncos beat writer Mike Klis recently reported that Booker will enter camp atop the depth chart. Normally, veterans will get the first nod in a camp battle, but the assumption that Freeman is destined to take over might be a bit premature. He's not an elite prospect, he's a solid all-around player who has a lot of miles on him from his Oregon days. The disdain for Booker festered over two campaigns in which the Broncos had questionable play from their quarterback and offensive line. Both those areas have been addressed this offseason, which will allow Booker to improve his previously pedestrian rushing stats. Few late-round RBs have a direct path to a starting job, making him a lottery ticket worth buying.
Overachiever Potential: ★★★☆☆
ADP: 12th round (RB46)
Matt Breida, RB, 49ers
Kyle Shanahan's rushing attacks always produce fantasy numbers, and at times have delivered multiple starting backs for fantasy - most recently Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in Atlanta. The 49ers handpicked Jerick McKinnon to lead their backfield in 2018, a player who has never handled more than 202 touches in a season. While some are worried McKinnon may break down as the year goes on, the clear takeaway here should be that Shanahan plans on using a combination of backs. Breida profiles well as the Coleman to McKinnon's Freeman, which would instantly provide Breida with fantasy value as a borderline flex play. If McKinnon were to get sidelined, Breida's value would increase, though he's unlikely to take over a full workload playing at around 190 pounds. His stock is likely to rise closer to the season, but if you're drafting early, don't let him slip through the final rounds.
Overachiever Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: Undrafted
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
The curse of receivers named Mike Williams appeared to have another victim when the Chargers' seventh overall pick struggled through a forgettable rookie season with back and knee injuries. However, it's far too soon to give up on a top-10 talent, especially when he's entering his sophomore campaign healthy and talking about how much he's learning from teammate Keenan Allen. As long as the former Clemson star can beat out teammate Tyrell Williams for No. 2 duties, his ceiling will be high after the season-ending injury to tight end Hunter Henry. Williams can help make up for the loss by excelling as a jump-ball specialist in the red-zone. Don't make the mistake of giving up on him - the Chargers definitely haven't.
Overachiever Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: 14th round (WR61)
Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
Godwin closed out his rookie season with 10 catches, 209 yards, and a touchdown over the last two weeks. He also posted double-digit fantasy points for PPR leagues in four of the last eight games of 2017. More importantly, Godwin looked the part of an impact NFL receiver, winning contested catches and making plays downfield. Mike Evans isn't going anywhere, so Godwin's upside is slightly capped, but he should emerge as the Bucs' second-best option in the passing game this season - with DeSean Jackson sliding into a less-involved field-stretcher role. Godwin is a player you dynasty owners should be actively targeting, and one redraft owners should stash for a potential breakout.
Overachiever Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: Undrafted
Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, Cardinals
Digging deep for fantasy tight ends can be a challenging endeavor some seasons, but this year's crop features a variety of late-round or undrafted players with massive upside. Seals-Jones is one of the most intriguing options after he gave us a glimpse into his fantasy value with a three-week run in November and early December, averaging 57 yards and a touchdown per game. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound converted receiver will open the year as Arizona's starting tight end after veteran Jermaine Gresham suffered a torn Achilles in Week 17. Outside of Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson, the Cardinals are in search of weapons in the passing attack, and RSJ has a chance to add a new dynamic to their offense.
Overachiever Potential: ★★★★☆
ADP: Undrafted
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)