2019 Fantasy Football Deep WR Sleepers
There are three components that go into wide receiver sleepers for me.
Firstly, they have to be a late draft pick, undrafted in the majority of 12-man leagues. Chris Godwin is not a sleeper. He’s being drafted as a starter. Sleepers are league winners that you can identify and get late in your drafts. Secondly, they have to have a path to high volume. There are several good players that are so buried on their depth charts, they aren’t worth drafting in their current situation. Thirdly, they should be young players, and either highly drafted by the team they currently play for or have stood out in camp in a way that exceeds their draft position.
Two examples of sleepers that I was high on that broke out last year are Tyler Boyd and Tyler Locket. Both match the criteria listed above and had standout seasons in 2018. Late draft picks should be drafted for their ceiling, and these five wide receivers all have great outlooks for 2018.
Parris Campbell, IND
Colts used a high pick in the 2019 draft on the blazing, 4.31-40 receiver out of Ohio State. Campbell really broke out with Dwayne Haskins last season, setting career highs in receptions (90), yards (1,063), and TD’s (12). Usually fading rookie WR’s is a smart strategy as they typically break out in their second or third year, but I think Campbell can be the exception. Andrew Luck is looking for a true WR2 next to T.Y. Hilton, and Campbell has all the traits to fit that role. Pay attention to him in training camp and preseason. He needs to really step out to get the snaps on a talented team.
Kenny Stills, MIA
All reports are pointing to Ryan Fitzpatrick winning the starting job for Miami, which is good for receivers like Stills and Devante Parker. Fitzpatrick was 4th in QB PPG last season in Tampa and led the league in Air Yards. One of Fitzpatrick's favorite targets was DeSean Jackson, who averaged 14.8 fantasy points per game with Fitzpatrick. Stills is the closest thing you'll find to Jackson on the Dolphins and Stills much better receiver than perennial disappointment Parker. Another WR sleeper is Albert Wilson, but he hasn’t been practicing in training camp with a lingering hip injury.
Tre'Quan Smith, NO
Life tip: Draft WR's on the Saints. Drew Brees holds the all-time record for passing yards and yards per game and was just EIGHT yards short of his 13th straight 4,000 yard passing season. Michael Thomas is obviously the #1, but who is the #2 receiver on the Saints? Cam Meredith was just released, Ted Ginn is old and doesn't have the build to be a reliable target. Smith has all the ideal traits of a WR2: length, speed, and a nose for the end zone (14 TD’s his final year at UCF). Smith is prepared to take the step from a 28-427-5 rookie season. When Smith was a part of the game plan, he massively succeeded. In games with 3-plus targets, Smith averaged 13.6 fantasy points per game.
Keelan Cole, JAX
After being a surprise waiver wire target in 2017, we expected good things from Cole in his sophomore season. But the Jaguars as a team were very underwhelming, and quarterback Blake Bortles was ultimately cut. Enter Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, and it’s fair to consider Jacksonville WR’s as fantasy weapons again. Cole has been a standout in training camp, and if he can catch the spark from 2017, he will more than make up for his undrafted status.
Trey Quinn, WSH
Quinn only played two games his rookie season but caught 10 balls for 75 yards and a TD. Gruden has already closed the job, saying Quinn has the slot receiver "locked down". There is no WR1 in Washington, but we can expect someone to take the leap. Keenum and Haskins are both accurate, underneath passers, with most of their passing yards coming from YAC. If Quinn’s connection with Haskins extends into the regular season, he’s primed for a breakout sophomore season and can lead the team in targets.