Fantasy Football: One sleeper to target from each team
By Zach Cohen
Identifying one great fantasy football sleeper from each NFL team in 2020.
What makes a fantasy football sleeper a “sleeper?” Is it his low Average Draft Position (ADP)? Is it his incredibly high ceiling? Is it his easy path to a starting job?
While I already outlined the traits to look for when finding a sleeper, I thought I’d run through every NFL team and see who could outperform their ADP this season. Sometimes, it was easy to peg a sleeper. For other teams, I had to search a bit deeper to find a guy who could give your fantasy team massive value.
That’s why I labeled each sleeper with a Confidence Meter. Players with a “High” rating are sleepers I love, while players with a “Low” rating don’t warrant that much confidence. But hey, I had to knock out all 32 teams. Besides, there’s some other valuable information littered throughout the article.
So who could win you your fantasy leagues this season? Maybe like three or four of these guys, though the others could get you close.
All statistics are compiled using Pro Football Reference or FantasyPros Average Draft Position rankings unless otherwise noted.
AFC East Fantasy Football sleepers
Buffalo Bills: Dawson Knox, TE
There aren’t many players on Buffalo that scream “sleeper,” though I am intrigued by Knox’s potential. He’s got the athleticism to be relevant, including a 34.5-inch vertical which he displayed prior to his rookie campaign. His sleeper status more has to do with his current ADP.
He’s generally ranked as the 29th tight end heading into the 2020 season. His upside and role in a run-heavy offense (Buffalo was seventh in rushing attempts in 2019) give him a higher ceiling than most of the tight ends before him. Confidence Meter: Low
Miami Dolphins: Mike Gesicki, TE
Preston Williams should get back to his dominant ways, though Gesicki could finish higher in relation to his position. Gesicki is essentially a big slot receiver, so his target volume already should make him eligible for your starting roster. He saw the seventh-most targets among tight ends in 2019, including a sturdy 7.1 targets a game in the final half of last season.
With Chan Gailey coming in as Miami’s offensive coordinator, expect Gesicki to continue to play that slot role. The decisions by Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns should work in Gesicki’s favor, too. This makes him much more valuable than TE15. Confidence Meter: High
New York Jets: Denzel Mims, WR
The Jets drafted Mims in the second-round to help newcomer Breshad Perriman replace Robby Anderson. Although he’s just a rookie, Mims may be the most talented receiver on New York’s roster. Mims has the size and skill to win downfield situations, hence his multitude of highlight-reel catches at Baylor.
He may not be the primary option for Sam Darnold — that could be slot receiver Jamison Crowder — but Mims’ potential and path to a starting job makes him an intriguing late-round addition to your roster. Confidence Meter: Medium
New England Patriots: N’Keal Harry, WR
Remember when Bill Belichick spent a first-round pick on a wide receiver for the first time ever? Harry’s first year in the NFL didn’t go according to plan; he only appeared in seven games and found the endzone just twice. Fast forward to the present, and a big leap could be expected in Harry’s sophomore season.
Of course, the main reason why he’s on this list is that he’ll likely be a starter in an offense that could throw the ball over 600 times. In 2019, the Patriots launched the 5th-most pass attempts, and the loss of Tom Brady suggests they may be playing from behind more this season. That and another offseason in Bill Belichick’s system should lead to an expanded role for the former first-round pick. Confidence Meter: Low