Sleeper Picks Definition
Fantasy Football 'Sleepers' Definition
- Nfl Sleeper Picks
- Sleepers Meaning
- Sleeper Definition Car
- Sleeper Picks Definition Synonyms
- Sleeper Picks Definition Synonym
- Sleeper Picks Definition Meaning
- Sleeper Picks
Sleeper is a term used mostly during the draft to refer to NFL players that a fantasy manager believes is set to have a breakout season. The word 'sleeper' comes from the idea that most fantasy football guys will 'sleep' on this player or overlook their potential.
The whole point of looking for and drafting sleepers is to get your hands on some uncontested players that will give you the competitive edge. Sure, everyone knows Adrian Peterson is going to go high in the draft -- but do you really think a lot of guys had Jacoby Jones on their draft radar? Now that Jacoby is taking the starting position over from his teammate Kevin Walter, expect that sleeper pick to toss some serious points your way.
Sleeper is a term used mostly during the draft to refer to NFL players that a fantasy manager believes is set to have a breakout season. The word 'sleeper' comes from the idea that most fantasy football guys will 'sleep' on this player or overlook their potential. Some weeks our sleepers are on the border of being pretty straightforward starts, but not this week. Sure, Hill is pretty obvious with Devonta Freeman out, but he was a relative unknown a week ago.
Sometimes the designation 'sleeper' is given to players on the waiver wire. In this case, these are guys who weren't even expected to be good at the time of this year's draft, but for whatever reason have stumbled into serious numbers. Another sleeper trend -- they are usually not rookie players. Of course, rules were made to be broken. Think of Kurt Warner in 1999 -- sure, it wasn't his 'rookie season' as he was signed in 1998, but his first starts in the NFL were in 99, and no one thought he'd have such a stunning season that year at draft time. He earns the 'sleeper in retrospect' award.
Nfl Sleeper Picks
Usually sleepers are drafted in the middle to late rounds of a draft. Got a great sleeper pick in mind? Don't waste one of your high drafts by picking a guy you expect no one else to care about. Save those middle round picks for the guys that'll drop the jaws of the other guys in your league.
When looking for potential sleepers, try to go a bit deeper than the 'Sleepers' article at your local fantasy football emporium. Everyone will be reading who Roto thinks is a sleeper -- cut out the laziness and find your own sleepers. Look for guys with some talent who have just been traded into a target friendly offense, or rookies playing in a similar offense as their college years.
There's an old dictum of fantasy football that says that your star players won't win fantasy games -- only a squad with solid middle and late round picks has the staying power to win fantasy championships. The only way to really develop your team in the middle and late rounds is to research sleepers and build them into your fantasy strategy.
Previous Fantasy Football Term: Serpentine Draft
Next Fantasy Football Term: Snoozer
It’s time to start your fantasy football research now that it’s August and NFL training camps have begun.
Consider this your first taste of the content we have coming: a list we put together every year with one sleeper per NFL team, 32 names you should be thinking about in those later rounds while you’re searching for players to queue up and draft.
Last year, this list included Michael Gallup, Jameis Winston, Chris Carson, Deebo Samuel, Tyler Boyd, Dionte Johnson and others.
So here are a few names — some of them are repeats from last year who are still sleepers! — to keep in mind.
New England Patriots: RB Damien Harris
Sony Michel is coming back from surgery, and perhaps the Patriots will run the ball more? This former Alabama back could be worth a flier after some preseason buzz last year turned out to be nothing.
Buffalo Bills: RB Zack Moss
Devin Singletary obviously complicates things for both players, so I’d rather grab the rookie with a late pick and see if he fills in nicely in the former Frank Gore role.
New York Jets: WR Breshad Perriman
The former Buc exploded in an expanded role at the end of last year. The Jets lost Robby Anderson to free agency after he signed with the Panthers, which means there are 52 receptions up for grabs. Rookie Denzel Mims will take some of those, but I’m intrigued by Perriman’s upside after what he showed in 2019.
Miami Dolphins: WR Preston Williams
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He was really good in eight games before he tore his ACL, scoring three times. Now, with Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns opting out, there’s an opportunity for the second-year pro to be the WR2 to DeVante Parker.
Baltimore Ravens: WR Marquise Brown
I’m all in on Hollywood and his new physique in Year 2.
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Diontae Johnson
Think about it: he put up some really solid numbers (59 catches, 680 yards, six touchdowns) with two really bad quarterbacks throwing him the ball. And now he’s got Ben Roethlisberger back! What am I missing?
Cleveland Browns: QB Baker Mayfield
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
You know the term “post-hype”? Here’s your poster boy. The hope is Kevin Stefanski can cure what ailed Mayfield last season, and it’s not like the weapons around Mayfield in 2019 suddenly disappeared. I’m buying at a low price.
Cincinnati Bengals: QB Joe Burrow
I like to take fliers on quarterbacks who will throw a lot while playing from behind. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft will have an intriguing supporting cast and his team’s defense is putrid. That seems like a good formula for a sleeper QB.
Houston Texans: Any wide receiver
This is something to keep an eye on in training camp. DeAndre Hopkins is gone, Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb are in. So who gets the No. 1 role? It’s probably Cooks, whose ADP probably won’t be that high come draft day. But maybe you hope Will Fuller is healthy and give him a shot.
Tennessee Titans: TE Jonnu Smith
(Via OlyDrop)
The top tight end job in Tennessee is his, and after some good games when he took over for Delanie Walker, he’s got some upside.
Indianapolis Colts: WR Michael Pittman Jr.
I loved the pick in the NFL draft, and I love his situation: TY Hilton isn’t the same WR1 he once was, we’ll see about Parris Campbell … so could the 6-foot-4 rookie make an immediate impact, particularly in the red zone? Hmmmm.
Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Gardner Minshew
(Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Minshew Mania was fun, but let’s not forget: from a fantasy perspective, there were weeks where you could start him. That might be true again this year.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Mecole Hardman
He scored six times last year! As a rookie! In this offense! The speedster is absolutely worth a late pick to see what he can do behind Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce.
Denver Broncos: TE Noah Fant
The resume all checks out: former first-round pick who had a nice first year with a young quarterback throwing footballs. I’m in.
Las Vegas Raiders: WR Hunter Renfrow
Derek Carr doesn’t love to throw downfield, and yes, Darren Waller is the top receiver in Vegas, while top pick Henry Ruggs III will get some playing time along with Tyrell Williams. But I’ll throw a cheap bet down on Renfrow after he had a pair of 100-yard games to close out 2019.
Los Angeles Chargers: RB Justin Jackson
Melvin Gordon is gone, and while Austin Ekeler will be the focal point out of the backfield, he won’t be on the field all the time. Enter Jackson as a handcuff or as a player who could carve out a bigger role.
Philadelphia Eagles: RB Boston Scott
I love what Miles Sanders did last year. But let’s not forget that Scott caught 23 passes in his final four regular-season games in 2019. He may be in line for a bigger role this year. PPR leaguers, especially take note.
Dallas Cowboys: TE Blake Jarwin
A REALLY deep sleeper here, especially when the red zone touches will be distributed to Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb and Ezekiel Elliott. Plus, Dak Prescott is good for a few scores on the ground.
All of that said, Jason Witten is gone … so maybe he’s in for more playing time?
New York Giants: WR Sterling Shepard
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
He lost a bunch of games to injuries last year, but when he did play? He didn’t have a game with fewer than six targets. Don’t forget about him on draft day.
Washington Football Team: WR Steven Sims
He scored four times in his final three weeks, in games where he had five or more catches. So why’s he so buried on rankings charts?
Green Bay Packers: WR Allen Lazard
Marquez Valdes-Scantling was supposed to be the WR2 in this offense, and he fizzled. Even though the Packers run more than they used to, I wonder if the training camp buzz around Lazard could mean he’ll get more looks from Aaron Rodgers.
Minnesota Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson
It’s tricky with rookie wideouts who didn’t have a full offseason of work to get acclimated to the NFL. But I’m willing to make an exception here with the first-rounder given that the Vikes need someone to fill in for what they lost with Stefon Diggs getting dealt.
Chicago Bears: WR Anthony Miller
Maybe if Nick Foles is his QB, he’ll have more games like he had against the Lions (nine catches, 140 yards).
Sleepers Meaning
Detroit Lions: RB D'Andre Swift
Maybe Kerryon Johnson isn’t the answer for the Lions, and if so, he’s an intriguing name as a rookie.
New Orleans Saints: WR Emmanuel Sanders
Doesn’t it feel like forever since the Saints had a second WR behind Michael Thomas? There’s so much value with the former Bronco and Niner.
Sleeper Definition Car
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Ronald Jones
Let me be on the record (see above) that I’m grumpy about this selection. Bruce Arians stated that he’s “the main guy, he’ll carry the load.” I want to believe him, but I really don’t want to invest a ton into a player who might once again have just a piece of the running back pie in Tampa. So if he’s there in some later rounds and drops, I’d be okay with taking him. But no reaching!
Carolina Panthers: QB Teddy Bridgewater
Remember what I said above about QBs playing from behind? Same thing here.
Sleeper Picks Definition Synonyms
San Francisco 49ers: WR Jalen Hurd
The Deebo Samuel injury opens things up for the 2019 third-round pick even after the Niners took Brandon Aiyuk.
Seattle Seahawks: RB Carlos Hyde
We know how much the Hawks like to run the ball, and even though Chris Carson is still RB1 there, maybe the veteran who had a solid 2019 gets some playing time. Volume counts!
Sleeper Picks Definition Synonym
Los Angeles Rams: QB Jared Goff
He threw 10 fewer touchdowns
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
in 2019 than in 2018 and four more interceptions. But he also threw around the same amount of yardage. If he lands somewhere in the middle of those numbers with the same passing yards, he’ll be undervalued at his current ADP.
Arizona Cardinals: WR Christian Kirk
Sleeper Picks Definition Meaning
Had Larry Fitzgerald called it on a Hall of Fame career, we’d be talking about Kirk as a top-25 WR option even behind DeAndre Hopkins. And yet, I’m still interested to take a flier.
Atlanta Falcons: TE Hayden Hurst
Sleeper Picks
Austin Hooper and his 75 receptions last season are now in Cleveland. The Falcons acquired the former promising first-round from the Ravens, and he’s oozing with upside in this spot.