Fantasy Football Sleepers: Guys to Grab After the 10th Round

With the NFL season just around the corner and most fantasy football drafts coming up this weekend, here are seven sleepers to target. The point of this post is to identify the breakout players that can surpass their 10th round (or later) draft position.

(Name, Position, Team, 12-team standard ADP)

John Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens, 161

Brown is having a great camp with the Ravens and has been Joe Flacco’s favorite target this preseason. More than likely this is because he has the speed to complement Flacco’s deep ball well. John is fully healthy, and the Ravens other WR addition Michael Crabtree will be 31 soon. Also, don’t forget that Brown hauled in 65 passes for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns in 2015. The potential is there for him to have a huge season for the Ravens.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans, 133

While last season was a disaster from a fantasy perspective for Mariota, the signs are there for a coming explosion. Let’s not forget that Marcus did average the 15th most fantasy points among QBs in his first two seasons, so he is capable of being a good fantasy QB. The two biggest factors on why to buy on MM this season come from the offseason changes the team made. First, they brought in Matt LaFleur to run their offense (LA Rams offensive coordinator last year). LaFleur is a known QB whisperer and is one of the next great offensive minds in the game. Second, they also added pass catcher extraordinaire Dion Lewis to complement RB Derrick Henry. That combination of RBs will open up the game for Mariota, and Lewis’ skillset is exactly what the Titans offense gravely missed last season. Another reason  I love Mariota is the Titans offensive line. Their OL comes in ranked fifth at Pro Football Focus. The additions of LaFleur and Lewis, coupled with Mariota’s running ability boost, will help him get to the next level this season.

Taywan Taylor, WR, Tennessee Titans, 263

If Mariota snaps, as I expect him to, his wide receivers have to eat as well. And, while Corey Davis is the Titan WR getting all the hype this offseason, I’m setting my eyes on Taylor. He has had a great camp and has balled out this preseason. The Titans invested a third-round pick in him last year, and he has the perfect combination of size and speed to be a dynamic playmaker in the NFL. Case in point:

O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Bucs, 152

My colleague Jason Lisk had a nice post on the archetypes of tight ends that breakout. In his piece, he pointed out that 11 of the top 30 TE breakouts from the last thirty years were literally guys going into their second year. Of course, that brings me to Howard. He is one of the most elite athletes at the TE position. Also, the Bucs invested a first-round pick on him, so you know they are going to give him endless opportunities to bypass Cameron Brate. Even with Brate grabbing away 48 balls and 6 touchdowns last season, Howard finished as TE17. Howard’s second year breakout is coming, so just pick him up and ride the wave.

Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Bucs, 186

Godwin has had a great camp and preseason (two scores through three exhibitions) and should leapfrog the aging (31) DeSean Jackson any day now. In addition, the Bucs took Godwin in the third round last year, so you know they are invested in his growth. Godwin’s athleticism is off the charts, and he has shown he can play when given the opportunity. In the Bucs season finale last year he went for 7 receptions, 111 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, volume, as he got a monster number of targets (12). It is just a matter of time before Godwin pops off.

Keelan Cole, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars, 156

Unfortunately for the Jags, their WR1 in Marqise Lee went down with a season-ending knee injury. From strictly a fantasy perspective, the most likely benefit of Lee’s injury will be Cole. Even before Lee got injured, Cole was running with the first-team offense. And, most fantasy owners should remember how Cole finished the 2017 season. Cole caught 17 balls for 327 yards, and finished as the WR3 overall during the final three weeks of the season. He also led the Jaguars in total receiving yards last year, and now becomes their WR1 by default. That makes Cole a steal in the 12th/13th round of your draft.

Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers, 131

Williams, who was a monster in college, was the No. 7 overall pick last year. The Chargers drafted him that high for one thing…to score touchdowns! After an injury plagued season, he is finally back, and looking better than ever. He is going to be a huge part of a passing offense that lost both Antonio Gates (retired) and Hunter Henry (injured). Who do you think will get those red zone looks now? Hint: Williams is 6’4″. Look for Rivers to just toss them up for Williams, who has that unique go up and get it ability. And, ICYMI, here is what you have to look forward to if you draft him: