2020 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Aug. 30):
This is a list of my favorite 2020 fantasy football sleepers – underrated players who are going way later than they should (ADP ninth round or lower.) The Average Draft Position (ADP) is found on FantasyFootballCalculator.com.
The sleepers from 2018 were a hit, as some of the top players on the list were Phillip Lindsay, Chris Godwin, Kenny Golladay, George Kittle and Patrick Mahomes. My top 2019 sleeper was Devin Singletary (prior to the LeSean McCoy release), but the others, aside from Preston Williams, weren’t so great.
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Darius Slayton, WR, Giants. ADP: 9.09.
Darius Slayton was a breakout receiver late in the year. He had lines of 10-121-2 and 5-154-2 in a couple of games in the second half of the season despite being just a fifth-round rookie. Slayton should continue to emerge as a potent threat as he and Daniel Jones accumulate experience.
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DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles. ADP: 11.06.
I’ve been meaning to add Anti-Semitic Jackson to this list for quite some time. Jackson might be an idiot, but he had one of his best games with Carson Wentz in the opener last year. If Jackson can remain healthy for most of the year – a big if, for sure – he’ll be able to produce WR2 numbers. Not bad for someone you can get in the 11th round.
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Chase Edmonds, RB, Cardinals. ADP: 10.07.
Kenyan Drake is being chosen in the second round of fantasy football mock drafts, which is a bit too early for my liking. There’s no history of Drake handling a full workload, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Chase Edmonds overtakes him at some point. Edmonds played very in some starts last year, and I doubt Kliff Kingsbury has forgotten this. In fact, Kingsbury called Edmonds “a starting running back” in the NFL.
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Diontae Johnson, WR, Steelers. ADP: 9.05.
Diontae Johnson had some impressive games in his rookie year, ultimately finishing with 59 catches for 680 yards and five touchdowns despite never playing with a healthy Ben Roethlisberger. Johnson is a nice sleeper for 2020, as he could be very productive if Roethlisberger can remain 100 percent.
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Anthony Miller, WR, Bears. ADP: 12.09.
Anthony Miller had a very strong finish to his 2019 campaign. Chicago’s receivers coach attributed this to Miller realizing his ideal workout regimen. The coach stated that Miller has continued this during the offseason, so it’s likely the young receiver will pick up where he left off to have a strong 2020 showing.
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Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings. ADP: 11.10.
The Vikings have announced that Justin Jefferson will start in the slot, which is huge news. Kirk Cousins loves throwing to slot receivers, so don’t sleep on the possibility that Jefferson could be the league’s leading receiver among rookies in 2020.
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Benny Snell, RB, Steelers. ADP: 13.11.
Benny Snell has reportedly been stellar in training camp, particularly as a receiver out of the backfield. The Steelers expressed their frustration with James Conner, so perhaps Snell will steal the starting job at some point this year.
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Darrynton Evans, RB, Titans. ADP: 14.07.
I’ll be taking a shot on Darrynton Evans late in many of my drafts. I don’t like Derrick Henry this year because of his massive workload last year. There’s a chance he’ll be sidelined at some point, which will open up an opportunity for Evans.
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Bryce Love, RB, Redskins. ADP: 13.08.
Bryce Love was the No. 1 running back in last week’s practice with Adrian Peterson taking the day off. This makes Love viable as a late-round flier, as the 35-year-old Peterson may not last the whole year.
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Allen Lazard, WR, Packers. ADP: 14.04.
The Packers shockingly didn’t address their receiving corps this offseason. Allen Lazard will continue as the team’s No. 2 receiver, and a year of experience should allow him to perform on a higher level in 2020. I’ll gladly take Aaron Rodgers’ second receiver in the 13th or 14th round of a fantasy draft.
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Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts (PPR). ADP: 13.08.
Nyheim Hines is a forgotten man in Indianapolis’ backfield with Jonathan Taylor on the team. That’s why he’s being chosen in the 13th round of PPR formats. Head coach Frank Reich told the media that Hines will catch 10 passes in some games this year. Philip Rivers utilized Darren Sproles and Austin Ekeler heavily as receivers in the past, so he may do the same with Hines. I love him in PPR leagues only.
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Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams. ADP: 10.09.
Tyler Higbee’s ADP is shocking. Is he really being chosen in the late 10th round? He’s arguably a top-three fantasy tight end! He was dominant down the stretch, and I don’t see why that would change with Brandin Cooks gone.
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Breshad Perriman, WR, Jets. ADP: 14.04.
Breshad Perriman’s ADP is shocking. He was dominant down the stretch, and he’s now the Jets’ No. 1 receiver. He could disappoint again, but he’s definitely worth a shot in the 14th round.
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Steven Sims Jr., WR, Redskins. ADP: Undrafted.
Steven Sims was seen as a dynamic return specialist to start the year, but he developed as a receiver to close out the season. Check out his stat lines in his final four games: 4-40 (7 targets), 5-45-1, 6-64-2 and 5-81-1. He saw 36 targets in that span. Sims is legit, and I’m excited for his 2020 outlook.
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Preston Williams, WR, Dolphins. ADP: 13.05.
Preston Williams was a star in last year’s training camp and preseason, and he then proceeded to do well in real action. His rookie campaign was cut short due to injury, but he has picked up where he left off last season.
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Cam Newton, QB, Panthers. ADP: 12.03.
I’m shocked Cam Newton is being drafted in the 12th round. If he’s healthy, he could be a top-five fantasy quarterback this year. I know that’s a big “if,” but it’s not like there’s not much downside with selecting him late in the draft.
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Parris Campbell, WR, Colts. ADP: 13.12.
Parris Campbell barely played last year because of four separate injuries. However, he caught five passes in each of two games, so if he remains healthy, he has plenty of upside, especially in PPR leagues. It’s been announced that Campbell will be playing in the slot in 2020, which bodes well for his fantasy outlook.
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Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins. ADP: 13.08.
Mike Gesicki played well toward the end of the 2019 season. If that’s not reason enough for you to like him, consider that new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has said that Gesicki will play in the slot in his offense.
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Blake Jarwin, TE, Cowboys. ADP: 13.10.
Blake Jarwin is now Dallas’ starting tight end with Jason Witten now in Las Vegas. Jarwin has shown major potential, so I like his outlook for 2020.
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Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers. ADP: 14.02.
Brandon Aiyuk has been a tremendous performer in 49ers’ training camp thus far. The first-round receiver is living up to his draft status, and he’ll have an opportunity to contribute immediately, thanks to the injuries to Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd.
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John Hightower, WR, Eagles. ADP: Undrafted.
John Hightower is the deepest of sleepers, as he’s unlikely to be drafted in 99 percent of leagues. However, he’s been a star in training camp, so he could be Carson Wentz’s No. 2 receiver despite being a fifth-round rookie. He’s worth a shot with your final pick.
More 2021 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2021 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/19 (Walt)
2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/9 (Walt)
2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/8 (Walt)
2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/8 (Walt)
2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 5/2 (Walt)
2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 5/2 (Walt)
2021 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2021 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2021 Fantasy Football Articles:
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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