What is a ‘sleeper’ in fantasy sports? Basically, it is a player who exceeds their average draft position (ADP) over other players from the same position with a similar draft cost. An example of this from 2020 would be James Robinson. Few fantasy managers had any idea about the undrafted rookie before he stepped into the starting role in Jacksonville. He wowed everyone with over 1,400 total yards and 10 touchdowns, earning a spot in the top 10 of fantasy running backs.
To help you out with identifying a number of athletes who could fall into the ‘sleeper’ category, I will list one player from each NFL team that could provide a huge boost for your squad at a nicely discounted price. We’ll go by divisions for this article so you can more easily access these spicy picks.
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NFC South
Atlanta Falcons – RB Cordarrelle Patterson
In a full-on resurrection of one’s career, both real football and fantasy football, Cordarrelle Patterson took advantage of his opportunity to be the main running back for Atlanta in 2021. He propelled quick-thinking fantasy managers into the playoffs with his hot start to the season. His 205 touches and 1,166 total yards were more than any two of his eight previous seasons combined. There’s a good chance we see another explosive start to his 2022 season, as well.
Almost no one predicted a resurgence for Patterson in 2021 and certainly not the performance we got. The addition of rookie Tyler Allgeier puts a slight damper on Patterson’s long-term outlook, but a number of young players need time to acclimate to the NFL. The suspension of star receiver, Calvin Ridley, leaves the door open for Patterson to still accumulate a good number of targets. He was, after all, originally a wide receiver and tied his career high of 52 receptions last season. With Russell Gage signing leaving and signing with Tampa Bay, there are 287 targets that have been vacated from Atlanta’s offense.
Finding a late-round running back in fantasy drafts is always a tricky situation. Patterson’s ability to work out wide and behind the line offer him a vast amount of opportunities to find pertinent chances at getting his number called. He’s currently being drafted near the end of the 8th round, making him a great choice for those embracing the ‘Zero-RB’ draft strategy. It may not be a season-long success like last year, but Patterson could give your squad enough of a push to earn you a spot in the playoffs, where anything can happen.
Carolina Panthers – QB Baker Mayfield
After breaking the record for most touchdown passes in a season by a rookie, Baker Mayfield has struggled to find consistency. Perhaps all he needs is a change of scenery and a new scope to get back on the right track. With Carolina, he has all of that and someone to push his potential.
In early July, Mayfield was traded from Cleveland to Carolina for a conditional draft pick and one more chance to prove his worth as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Let’s just say his passing targets have improved. Christian McCaffrey is one of the most explosive running backs in the NFL and D.J. Moore is a very reliable first option at wide receiver. Robbie Anderson is also no slouch when it comes to catching the pigskin and churning up air yardage.
Now, Mayfield gets the chance to battle Sam Darnold for the opportunity to earn the starting job as the Panthers’ starting signal caller. I’m a firm believer in the statement of “competition breeds success.” Whoever comes out on top of this position battle will be better off for it and I believe it will be Mayfield. He has shown a level of success that Darnold has yet to achieve. It’s almost poetic since both were drafted in the top three of the 2018 NFL Draft. Mayfield should get the starting spot after Darnold’s high ankle sprain in the preseason game against the Bills.
As the 25th quarterback off of the board, Mayfield is an ideal pick in any Superflex or 2QB leagues. In standard leagues, he’s worth a look, too. A man who is theoretically playing for his career can be a dangerous weapon. If I waited until the end of my draft for a quarterback, which I personally do often, this former Sooner standout is someone I’d lock my sights on.
New Orleans Saints – WR Chris Olave
Chris Olave is my favorite wide receiver entering the league in 2022. He’s got the size, speed, and awareness to immediately impact the Saints’ offense for a team that will rely on a lot of passing. As fellow first-round selections in recent years have produced historical seasons, I won’t put Olave on that pedestal. However, he could be a league-winning fantasy selection.
After trading up from the 16th pick to the 11th pick, a deal that cost them additional 3rd and 4th round picks, the New Orleans identified Olave’s talent and they couldn’t afford to wait a few more minutes. His smooth route running and quick bursts make him a threat on every inch of the field. His college numbers steadily improved each year, finishing his senior season with 64 carries, 936 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. There will be plenty of times where the former Buckeye can show off his 4.39 speed, which is a trait that separates him from Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry.
Being paired up with Jameis Winston only serves to highlight his abilities. In Winston’s last season as a full-time starter with Tampa Bay, his leading three wide receivers (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Breshad Perriman) averaged 16.6 yards per catch on 189 receptions and scored 23 times. Olave has found himself in a place where he can feast on deep targets for big yardage.
As a 10th-round fantasy draft pick, sandwiched between Drake London and Michael Gallup, his value could be enormous. Personally, I’d draft him as early as the late 9th round and see him performing better than Brandon Aiyuk and Kadarius Toney who are both being selected a full round earlier than him. Grab the value and let your receiver depth soar!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Julio Jones
Sometimes you just want a solid, reliable option. That’s where Julio Jones comes into play. Once considered one of the NFL’s “tough guys” when it comes to playing through injuries, Jones missed 14 games across the last two seasons. When he played, he still managed 14.7 yards per reception and caught 69.8 percent of his targets.
Now with his second team since leaving Atlanta, the 11-year veteran has found a new quarterback to secure targets from…Mr. Thomas Edward Patrick Brady. Jones finds himself in a situation he is familiar with, as he will lineup out wide with stalwart receivers Evans and Godwin. Just like in Atlanta when he played alongside Roddy White and Ridley, these men feasted on targets while taking advantage of single or broken coverage at the expense of the others. With Godwin likely to miss at least a few games, Jones has the opportunity to flourish at the start of the 2022 campaign. Even after Godwin’s return, there will be enough of the pie available to Jones.
With injuries to a number of offensive linemen, the running game could struggle. This could lead to more emphasis on the passing work while they get healthy and continue to mesh. Ryan Jensen was a big loss that could cause many headaches for the Buccaneers and Tristan Wirfs has been nursing an oblique injury, as well. I predict another season of 600+ passing attempts by Brady just a year after his career-high of 719 passes thrown in 2021.
Jones has had some huge seasons in his illustrious career and another one could be on the horizon. He is being drafted in the 11th round of fantasy drafts. If he’s still got it, he could emerge as a solid WR3 or Flex option this year and give you added stability at a cheap cost. I’d put him head-to-head with Amari Cooper and DeVonta Smith on your draft boards. “Old Reliable” may have a new name in 2022 and that name is Julio Jones.
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