Anyone can pick in the first six or seven rounds of a NFL Fantasy Draft, but championship teams find players in the late rounds that can help them. Whether it be as a bye week replacement, a potential starter or trade bait. The teams that draft well win championships in Fantasy Football as not too many trades are usually made. Here is a look at guys to take a flier on later in the draft, as these guys are good sleepers:
QUARTERBACK:
1. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins – This seems like a broken record, but I will fall for it again. Tannehill has a new coach in Adam Gase that has brought out the best in every QB he has coached. Plus, Tannehill has good guys to throw to (Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills and Jordan Cameron). I think he projects as a solid backup Fantasy QB in 2016.
2. Brock Osweiler, Houston Texans – Brock Osweiler got screwed in Denver last year when he got benched despite clearly outplaying Peyton Manning. He will have a chip on his shoulder this year despite getting paid by the Texans. Osweiler has a lot of impressive weapons on the offense and I think he will take advantage of them this year. I look for Osweiler to put up impressive numbers in 2016.
3. Robert Griffin III, Cleveland Browns – RGIII has rested for over a year, so he could be rusty, but at least his body has had time to heal. If he can stay healthy, he could have a big year as Browns’ head coach Hue Jackson is known to be a QB whisperer! The Browns have a lot of guys that can run deep and RGIII could find them often. He is the biggest darkhorse of all, but I would only draft him as a #3 QB due to injury concerns.
RUNNING BACK:
1. Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers – Melvin Gordon had a pretty awful rookie year. But he had knee surgery in the off-season, so he might have been playing hurt as a rookie. Don’t discount the fact that the Chargers draft his fullback at Wisconsin (Derek Watt) in the 2016 NFL Draft. I think Gordon is going to have a huge year and start for a lot of Fantasy teams in 2016.
2. Matt Jones, Washington Redskins – Matt Jones is the unquestioned starting running back for the Washington Redskins heading into the 2016 season. As long as he can hold onto the ball (he had fumbling issues as a rookie), he could have a big year in 2016. Opposing teams are going to be focused on stopping the Redskins’ passing game, so there shouldn’t be extra players in the box too often against them this year. Jones is going to be a starting running back on most Fantasy teams in 2016.
3. Thomas Rawls, Seattle Seahawks – If Rawls is healthy, he moves to the top of this list. Don’t let the Seahawks’ aerial attack last year fool you, they are still a run first team. Rawls is a big time back and he will make Seahawks’ fans forget Marshawn Lynch……if he can stay healthy….and that is a big if!
4. Arian Foster, Miami Dolphins – Arian Foster is a true wildcard in every sense of the word. He doesn’t have much competition (Jay Ajayi) for the starting gig at RB for the Dolphins. Foster is going to catch a lot of passes out of the backfield and he is going to get a lot of carries, as long as his body holds up.
5. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Doug Martin is a fantastic back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he seems to get hurt every other year and he was healthy in 2015. That is where Charles Sims comes in. He is a fantastic receiver out of the backfield and he ran the ball really well when Martin needed a break last year. Sims is a solid guy to pick late in your draft!
WIDE RECEIVERS:
1. Willie Snead, New Orleans Saints – Willie Snead had an outstanding rookie season for the New Orleans Saints in 2015, but he still appears to be flying under the radar in Fantasy Football. Snap him up as a starting WR on your team (as your #3 guy) and laugh at your competition in your league!
2. Mohamed Sanu, Atlanta Falcons – Sanu was a good #3 WR for the Cincinnati Bengals over the years. Now he gets a chance to show what he can really do with the Falcons. He will never be double teamed with Julio Jones on the other side of the field. I look for Sanu to put up solid numbers for the Falcons in 2016.
3. Chris Hogan, New England Patriots – Chris Hogan is a perfect fit for the Patriots’ offense. With Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola gimpy right now, Hogan could wind up starting for the Patriots and putting up big numbers!
4. Kamar Aiken, Baltimore Ravens – Aiken came out of nowhere when the Ravens suffered a rash of injuries at WR last year. I think he is in line to have a big year in 2016, as long as Joe Flacco stays healthy.
5. Corey Coleman, Cleveland Browns - Corey Coleman has been outstanding in training camp for the Cleveland Browns. He is going to be their #1 WR as a rookie. He has been compared to Steve Smith of the Ravens and that says a lot about him!
6. Kevin White, Chicago Bears – Kevin White missed his rookie season due to a stress fracture, so that could allow you to draft him later than he should be picked. Alshon Jeffery on the other side will guarantee that White sees a lot of single coverage in 2016. Jeffery is also a tad injury prone, so White could be the Bears’ #1 WR at some point in 2016.
7. Sterling Shepard, New York Giants – Usually I don’t suggest taking rookie WRs, but Shepard is the exception. He will benefit from having Odell Beckham on the other side of the field, giving him a lot of single coverage. Victor Cruz still isn’t ready to come back, so look for Shepard to put up really solid numbers in 2016.
8. Quincy Enunwa, New York Jets – Quincy Enunwa is a player on the rise for the New York Jets. He is listed as their #3 WR heading into training camp. If Brandon Marshall or Eric Decker get injured in 2016, look out! That being said, he is a last round type of flier to take in your Fantasy Draft.
9. Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers – Due to the suspension of Martavis Bryant for the entire 2016 season and maybe more, it has opened up a spot for Sammie Coates as the Steelers’ #3 WR. He could push Markus Wheaton for his starting job at some point in 2016. Without Heath Miller (retirement), I look for Ben Roethlisberger to throw even more to his WRs in 2016.
TIGHT ENDS:
1. Coby Fleener – New Orleans Saints – Coby Fleener at worst is going to be the Saints’ #3 option in the passing game in 2016. He is going to put up huge numbers and you should consider drafting him as a starter on your Fantasy team.
2. Julius Thomas – Jacksonville Jaguars – Julius Thomas was banged up in his first year with the Jaguars. Only good health could keep him from being a top twelve TE in 2016, thus making him a Fantasy starter. With the Jaguars’ immense talent at WR, Thomas will almost always face single coverage!
3. Zach Miller – Chicago Bears – Having Zach Miller on the roster made the Bears feel better about dealing Martellus Bennett to the New England Patriots. Miller could take off in 2016 for the Bears.
4. Vance McDonald, San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers have a lousy WR corps heading into the 2016 season. McDonald has had an outstanding training camp and new head coach Chip Kelly is going to have his team throwing the ball. It all adds up to McDonald having a good year in 2016, and he can get him really, really late in your draft!
5. Martellus Bennett, New England Patriots – It’s not really two hard to see the Patriots run a two TE system like they did when Aaron Hernandez was out of jail and playing well for them. Bennett could have a big year, flying under the radar for the Patriots.
