These sleepers could outperform expectations and offer great value for your team. Keep an eye on them during your drafts to potentially secure some hidden gems for your roster. Their potential upside could make a significant impact on your fantasy season.
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Elijah Mitchell
Mitchell is an attractive late-round pick in fantasy drafts. Even when Christian McCaffrey is healthy, Mitchell has shown he can contribute as a standalone RB3, averaging 9.9 PPR points per game alongside McCaffrey last season. He has also demonstrated RB1 potential with five such performances in just 11 games played in 2021, making him a high-upside handcuff option if McCaffrey gets injured. With his role in the RB-friendly 49ers system, Mitchell could be a league-winning steal as the RB43 off the draft board.
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Elijah Moore
Moore had a mixed 2022 season, leading to a drop in his fantasy value. However, with his move to the Cleveland Browns and positive reports about Deshaun Watson's performance in camp, Moore could bounce back in 2023. Considering his current low ADP, he presents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for fantasy managers looking to add a talented playmaker to their roster.
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Donovan Peoples-Jones
Jones had an impressive 2022 season, putting up numbers on par with elite players like Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce when it comes to deep throws. Even with a backup quarterback, he showcased his ability to be a reliable target down the field. Compared to Amari Cooper, Peoples-Jones outperformed him in key metrics like yards per target, aDOT, and catch rate on deep passes. With Deshaun Watson leading the offense for the entire season, Peoples-Jones' fantasy stock has the potential to rise significantly.
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Chigoziem Okonkwo
Keep an eye on Chigoziem Okonkwo if you don't have one of the top tight ends like Travis Kelce. Last season, Okonkwo led all tight ends with over 40 targets in yards per reception (14), yards after the catch per reception (7.8), and yards per route run (2.61). These impressive stats make him a strong breakout candidate for 2023, especially if he becomes the Titans' second-best receiving option. Many fantasy managers haven't noticed his potential yet, presenting a great opportunity to get him at a discount before he breaks out.
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Nico Collins
Nico Collins faces a tough situation with the Texans' QB play. Although some may prefer other WRs in Houston, Collins has shown promise, averaging seven targets per game in nine healthy games last season. During Weeks 10-13, he saw an increase to nine targets per game and delivered 19 receptions and two touchdowns. With the potential for improved quarterback play from C.J. Stroud, Collins could exceed expectations and offer great value at his current WR60 ADP.
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Rashod Bateman
It's surprising to see Rashod Bateman being overshadowed by Odell Beckham Jr., who has injury concerns and is older. Bateman showed his potential with strong performances last season, and with positive changes in the Ravens' offense, he could emerge as their top wide receiver. Despite this, he's undervalued in drafts, presenting a great opportunity for fantasy managers to take a shot on him later in the draft.
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Skyy Moore
Skyy Moore was highly regarded ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft but didn't live up to expectations in his rookie season with the Chiefs. However, rookies from smaller schools often face challenges transitioning to the NFL. With another full offseason in Kansas City, Moore has the potential to improve significantly and contribute more this year. Given the opportunity for a receiving option to step up in the Chiefs' offense, Moore's skill set, especially as a slot receiver, makes him an appealing target for fantasy managers, especially with his lowered ADP.
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Juwan Johnson
I'm bullish on Johnson's potential as a game-changer at tight end, allowing you to focus on other positions early in your fantasy draft. He proved himself as a top-10 tight end from Week 7 onward last season, making a catch every 7.6 routes run, which is comparable to George Kittle. With a soon-to-be 27-year-old talent like Johnson playing in an offense led by a quarterback who helped elevate Darren Waller's game, there's significant promise. Given his potential and the presence of Chris Olave stretching defenses, Johnson becomes an appealing low-risk, high-reward option at the tight end position.
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Jayden Reed
Jayden Reed is a player I'm heavily targeting in the final rounds of fantasy drafts. Despite his college production not standing out, his tape suggests he's ready to start as a wide receiver right away. With his top-50 draft capital in 2023, he's likely to be the starting slot receiver for the Packers from Day 1. While there are uncertainties with Love as the quarterback and the young receiving corps, Reed has a chance to become a primary target for the offense in 2023. Given the potential, he's worth a late-round pick to see how his situation develops.
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Greg Dulcich
Sean Payton's offense has a history of producing successful fantasy tight ends since 2011, including Taysom Hill. Greg Dulcich caught Payton's attention, and he compared him to past standout tight ends like Jeremy Shockey, Jason Witten, and Jimmy Graham. Dulcich showed promise as a rookie, finishing as a top-12 tight end in five out of 10 games despite dealing with a hamstring injury. If Payton uses Dulcich in his versatile "joker" role, creating mismatches against defenses, he could have significant upside and is worth considering as a pick around 136 overall in fantasy drafts.
These sleeper picks could be game-changers. Players who may not be on everyone's radar have the potential to outperform expectations and provide excellent value for your team in the later roumds. By keeping an eye on these hidden gems during your drafts, you could secure valuable assets that could make a significant impact on your fantasy season.