Fantasy Football Sleepers
As the 2024 NFL season approaches, savvy fantasy managers are always on the lookout for those hidden gems that can propel their teams to victory. I have been playing a lot of Best Ball and partaking in the odd Fantasy Football Mock Draft in hopes of sharpening my skills and spot value. I know it’s early, but fantasy drafts are approaching quickly. In this article, I identified seven players poised to outperform their average draft positions (ADP) and potentially become league-winners. Let’s dive into it!
Brian Robinson Jr. enters his third NFL season with the potential to outperform his current ADP of 94 significantly. Despite a challenging rookie year that began with a shooting incident, Robinson showed promise in 2023, rushing for 889 yards and six touchdowns while adding 380 receiving yards. The Commanders’ new offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury, brings a system that has historically benefited running backs. Under Kingsbury, the Arizona Cardinals saw significant production from their backfield, with players like David Johnson and Chase Edmonds thriving in both rushing and receiving roles.
Robinson’s dual-threat ability makes him an ideal fit for Kingsbury’s offense. His improved receiving skills (38 receptions in 2023) suggest he could see an expanded role in the passing game. With Ekeler possibly washed, Robinson is poised to be the lead back in what should be an improved offense.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Bucky Irving in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he has landed in an ideal situation to make an immediate impact. The Buccaneers have been searching for a dynamic playmaker in their backfield, and Irving’s skill set could be the perfect fit. His current ADP is 207, which means he is often available in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
If you didn’t watch Bucky and the Oregon Ducks last year, you missed out. He was a constant pain in the butt for whatever defense he faced. Irving had an impressive college career at Oregon, showcasing his versatility and explosiveness. In his final season, he rushed for 1,192 yards and 11 touchdowns on 186 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He also demonstrated his ability as a receiver, catching 55 passes for 395 yards and two touchdowns.
While there have been a lot of speedy Oregon Duck RBs that haven’t taken off in the NFL, Irving’s ability to evade defenders and create big plays makes him a perfect change-of-pace back. In his final college season, he forced 69 missed tackles and had 18 runs of 15-plus yards, showcasing his elusiveness and power. His receiving skills also align well with the Buccaneers’ offensive scheme, which values running backs who can contribute in the passing game.
Bucky is a must add late in Best Ball drafts, or a last round pick in Redraft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Brian Thomas Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. With an ADP of 121, he is flying under the radar but has the potential to become a key contributor to the Jaguars’ offense. Thomas’s combination of size and speed (4.33 40-yard dash) makes him an ideal fit for the Jaguars’ offense, led by the strong-armed Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence’s ability to stretch the field vertically aligns well with Thomas’s skill set, creating the potential for explosive plays.
The Jaguars’ offense, under head coach Doug Pederson, is known for its creativity and willingness to utilize multiple receivers. Pederson’s system has historically produced productive seasons for wide receivers, and Thomas’s ability to make contested catches and create separation downfield makes him a valuable asset.
Thomas had a standout career at LSU, averaging 17.3 yards per reception and scoring 17 touchdowns in his final season. His big-play ability and size (6’4″) make him a formidable deep threat and red-zone target.
WR, Buffalo Bills
Keon Coleman, the Bills’ first-round pick, enters the NFL with high expectations and an ADP of 101. The departure of Stefon Diggs leaves a massive void in the Bills’ receiving corps, and Coleman has the talent to step into a significant role immediately. Michigan State, Coleman demonstrated his ability to be a true No. 1 receiver, recording 798 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season. His 6’4″ frame and exceptional ball skills make him an ideal red-zone target for Josh Allen. The Bills’ high-powered offense, ranked 6th in passing yards in 2023, provides an excellent environment for Coleman to thrive. With Gabe Davis also departing, there are 241 targets up for grabs in this offense. Coleman’s draft capital and skill set position him to potentially lead the team in targets, making him an excellent value at his current ADP.
Rashid Shaheed emerged as a big-play threat for the Saints in 2023, and his current ADP of 170 suggests he’s being severely undervalued. Shaheed’s speed and route-running ability make him a perfect fit for Derek Carr’s deep ball prowess. In 2023, Shaheed recorded 719 yards and four touchdowns on just 46 receptions, showcasing his explosive potential. His 15.6 yards per reception ranked 11th among all receivers with at least 40 catches. With a full offseason to build chemistry with Carr and potentially an expanded role in the offense, Shaheed could see a significant increase in targets and production. The Saints’ offense is primed for improvement in Carr’s second year with the team. Shaheed’s ability to stretch the field and create big plays makes him an excellent late-round target with WR3 potential.
WR, Buffalo Bills
Khalil Shakir is perhaps the most undervalued player on this list, with an ADP of 136. Despite limited opportunities in 2023, Shakir showed flashes of brilliance, recording 611 yards on just 39 receptions. With the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Shakir is poised for a breakout season.
He has already established chemistry with Josh Allen, leading the team in targets during their divisional-round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Shakir’s efficiency is particularly noteworthy, averaging 15.7 yards per reception in 2023. If his target share increases as expected, he could easily surpass 1,000 yards receiving. His ability to play both outside and in the slot gives him a clear path to significant playing time in the Bills’ high-volume passing attack.
Pat Freiermuth enters his fourth NFL season with an ADP of 133, making him an excellent value pick at the tight end position. Despite a disappointing 2023 season marred by injuries, Freiermuth’s potential in the Steelers’ offense remains high. The arrival of new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith bodes well for Freiermuth’s fantasy outlook. Smith’s offenses have historically featured tight ends prominently, as evidenced by Kyle Pitts’ usage in Atlanta. Additionally, the departure of Diontae Johnson opens up targets in the Steelers’ passing game.
In his first two seasons, Freiermuth demonstrated his red-zone prowess, scoring 7 touchdowns each year. With improved quarterback play expected (my money is on Justin Fields), Freiermuth could easily return to form as a top-10 fantasy tight end.
