Fantasy Football: One sleeper to target from each team
By Zach Cohen
NFC North Fantasy Football sleepers
Chicago Bears: Anthony Miller, WR
Until the Bears find a reliable passer, it’s tough to see any of their wide receivers having too good of a season. With that said, Miller has been a fantasy darling since he entered the NFL two years ago. He’s the clear WR2 in Chicago, though Tarik Cohen has stolen some targets here and there. Maybe the addition of Ted Ginn takes a few more looks away, but Miller is clearly the more talented receiver. The best factor working in the WR57’s favor? A receiver’s third year is the golden year.
PFF’s Ian Hartitz found that in the last decade, only 15 receivers finished as a top-12 PPR receiver before entering their third-year. That number blossomed to 20 in year three and held steady for the next couple of years. Third-year receivers tend to produce, and considering all the hype Miller’s received in his short career, 2020 could finally be his year. Confidence Meter: Medium
Detroit Lions: Marvin Jones Jr., WR
Every young player on Detroit’s offense already has some hype to his name. Kenny Golladay is a rising star, TJ Hockenson was last year’s eighth-overall draft pick and D’Andre Swift was a hot name in college. Basically, it’s tough to pick a sleeper on a team filled with high-upside players. So why not look at a veteran? Jones has dealt with injuries in his eight-year career, though he’s certainly had his fair share of success.
He’s a downfield threat who has hit the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in fantasy. More importantly, though, could be his reunion with Matthew Stafford, who missed half of the 2019 season with an injury. Before Stafford went down, Jones was WR10. As long as Stafford’s in the backfield, expect him to keep looking for Jones. Confidence Meter: Low
Green Bay Packers: Jace Sternberger, TE
At this point, picking a Green Bay wide receiver to break out is like pulling a name from a bag. My advice is to pay very close attention to Green Bay training camp and see if a receiver separates himself from the crowd. The team’s shifting focus to the ground game doesn’t help, either. Unless, of course, you’re a tight end.
Sternberger only saw six games in his rookie campaign, so consider him to be a deeper sleeper. His rookie season was about as uneventful as rookie seasons are for tight ends. Who knows, maybe the former third-round pick is the one to develop a coveted rapport with Aaron Rodgers? Or maybe it’s Allen Lazard. Both are worth a look. Confidence Meter: Low
Minnesota Vikings: Justin Jefferson, WR
Alexander Mattison provides value identical to Tony Pollard’s, though Jefferson has a clearer path to the starting job. He also checks all the boxes that a good sleeper has, as I explained earlier in the summer. He comes to a Vikings’ team that has 7.2 targets a game up for grabs and an open starting job. Jefferson — the team’s first-round pick — seems like the clear favorite to take over for Stefon Diggs.
Unless Minnesota chooses to run the ball even more this season, which is unlikely with Gary Kubiak now running the offense, then someone will have to fill in for Diggs. Jefferson has the talent to be that guy, though Adam Thielen could be in for a good year if he stays healthy. His upside is hard to ignore as WR44. Confidence Meter: Medium