2018 Fantasy Football – 25 Sleepers (Sept. 2):
This is a list of my favorite 2018 fantasy football sleepers – underrated players who are going way later than they should. The Average Draft Position (ADP) is found on FantasyFootballCalculator.com.
The past two years of Fantasy Football Sleepers have been a mixed bag. For 2015, three of my top six sleepers were Dion Lewis, Jordan Reed and Cam Newton. On the flip side, however, I was way wrong on Kendall Wright, Stevie Johnson and Breshad Perriman. As for last season, I nailed Michael Thomas, Spencer Ware, Robert Kelley, Kenneth Dixon. Some whiffs, however, were Tajae Sharpe, DeAndre Washington, Devin Funchess and Devontae Booker.
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Geronimo Allison, WR, Packers. ADP: 13.06.
Geronimo Allison will really benefit from Randall Cobb’s release. The injury-prone Cobb could be cut to save about $9 million, and Allison seemingly won the No. 3 receiving job, so he could be promoted to be the second wideout in Green Bay’s high-octane offense.
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Jordan Wilkins, RB, Colts. ADP: 13.04.
Jordan Wilkins was mixed in with the first team during training camp. It’s unclear if that’ll continue, but Wilkins is worth monitoring. With Andrew Luck returning from injury, there’s plenty of potential for Wilkins to have a nice rookie campaign.
Update: Mack may not be ready for the beginning of the season, according to Frank Reich. This should give Wilkins a great opportunity to win the starting job. Make sure to get Wilkins on your fantasy roster in the late rounds.
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Michael Gallup, WR, Cowboys. ADP: 12.08.
Dez Bryant is gone, Terrance Williams sucks, and Allen Hurns has seldom been productive in meaningful action throughout his career. That leaves just Michael Gallup, a speedy threat who was Dallas’ third-round pick this year. Gallup has been Dallas’ best receiver through two preseason games, so it seems insane to me that he’s being drafted in the 13th round.
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Dede Westbrook, WR, Jaguars. ADP: 14.01.
I loved Dede Westbrook heading into last year, but he suffered an injury at the end of the preseason and was out for the first 10 weeks of the season. With Allen Robinson gone, Westbrook is Jacksonville’s most dynamic receiver, and he’s well worth a late-round pick.
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Phillip Lindsay, RB, Broncos. ADP: Undrafted.
The Broncos spent a third-round pick on Royce Freeman, but they found a gem in undrafted free agent rookie Phillip Lindsay. The former Colorado product has been outstanding in training camp and the preseason. He routinely beat linebackers in practice and then generated huge bursts during games with some impressive spin moves. Lindsay, who set Colorado’s all-time record in yards from scrimmage (4,683), should be Denver’s third-down back at the very worst. He could also push for a larger role at some point, especially if Freeman were to get hurt.
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Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers. ADP: 13.10.
I’d prefer to stay away from Buccaneers this year, as things could spiral downward for them rather quickly. However, Chris Godwin has been outstanding in both training camp and the preseason games. His potential is too great to ignore.
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Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Saints. ADP: Undrafted.
Third-round rookie receiver Tre’Quan Smith made some nice plays in the preseason finale, catching four passes for 42 yards. Smith made a great reception on third down, and he otherwise did a good job of faking a pick to help Cameron Meredith get open for a touchdown. Smith could be a solid final-round fantasy pick, as he may emerge as a potent offensive threat during the second half of the season. The Saints draft well, and Smith seems like the latest gem.
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Ryan Grant, WR, Colts. ADP: Undrafted.
Ryan Grant has no ADP, but he should. Grant is Indianapolis’ clear-cut No. 2 receiver. This wouldn’t have mattered last year, but it does now in the wake of Andrew Luck’s improved health. Grant could have a strong 2018 campaign, especially if T.Y. Hilton gets hurt at some point.
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Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos. ADP: 14.01.
Courtland Sutton has been enjoying a strong training camp and has firmly established himself as Denver’s No. 3 receiver. Given the health concerns surrounding Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, Sutton could be in for a strong rookie campaign. Remember, some considered Sutton a top-15 draft prospect before he had a mediocre combine performance, so the talent is certainly there.
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Corey Clement, RB, Eagles. ADP: 10.10.
Corey Clement is a very intriguing option in the late rounds. The Eagles are concerned about Jay Ajayi, so much so that they planned to draft Sony Michel at No. 32 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Michel was snatched off the board a pick earlier, so Clement seems to be the favorite to take over if Ajayi goes down with an injury. In the meantime, the Eagles will give Clement a healthy workload, as Doug Pederson likes to rotate his backs.
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Doug Martin, RB, Raiders. ADP: 12.02.
Doug Martin slacks off when he’s paid, but he also works hard when trying to earn a new contract. Martin should play well this year if history is any indication. Marshawn Lynch is blocking him, but Lynch is in his mid-30s and could get hurt.
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Rashard Higgins, WR, Browns. ADP: Undrafted.
Rashard Higgins was a fifth-round pick from the 2016 NFL Draft. He hasn’t done much yet in the pros, but that could change soon. Higgins has been very impressive in training camp, and that transitioned to the first preseason game. He showed great chemistry with Tyrod Taylor, reeling in multiple back-shoulder receptions. Higgins is someone to strongly consider with your final non-kicker, non-defense pick.
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Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions. ADP: 11.09.
Though Kenny Golladay was a non-factor in fantasy outside of two games last year, he had a solid rookie campaign. With Eric Ebron gone, Golladay’s role will grow. Golladay has been very impressive in OTAs, and that should transfer over to live action.
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Ricky Seals-Jones, TE, Cardinals. ADP: Undrafted.
Cardinals reporter Mike Jurecki has been talking up Ricky Seals-Jones all offseason, citing that Seals-Jones will be a breakout player in 2018. When Jurecki talks about the Cardinals, you should definitely listen to him, as it’s impossible to find a better team reporter than Jurecki. What Jurecki is saying about Seals-Jones makes sense; Seals-Jones is very athletic and flashed at the end of last year. He’s a legit TE1 threat.
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James Washington, WR, Steelers. ADP: Undrafted.
James Washington has been outstanding this preseason. He’ll play the Martavis Bryant role in Pittsburgh’s offense, except he won’t be a screw-up like Bryant was. Washington could have a huge year if Antonio Brown or JuJu Smith-Schuster were to get hurt.
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Anthony Miller, WR, Bears. ADP: 13.03.
I don’t trust Allen Robinson or Kevin White. That leaves Anthony Miller, who has been very impressive this summer despite being a mere rookie. Miller appears to have a big-time role as the slot receiver in Chicago’s offense, so he’s a very intriguing pick in the 13th round.
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Taywan Taylor, WR, Titans. ADP: 14.05.
I’m not sure if the Titans’ run-heavy offense can sustain two receivers, a productive tight end and a pass-catching running back, but Taywan Taylor is very explosive, and he’s seen lots of first-team reps in training camp. Taylor could have a big year if Corey Davis were to get hurt.
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Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals. ADP: 13.05.
Tyler Eifert comes with great risk – but not so much in the 13th round. He has great potential if he can stay healthy. That’s a big “if,” but if you’re not taking too much of a risk, then it doesn’t really matter.
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George Kittle, TE, 49ers. ADP: 10.04.
George Kittle had some strong performances as a rookie, and I like his potential with Jimmy Garoppolo now that he’ll have some experience. Kittle has a chance to be a top-10 fantasy tight end, so I love the value at his late 10th-round ADP.
Update: I like Kittle a bit more now, as he’ll catch more passes in the wake of Jerick McKinnon’s injury.
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Kalen Ballage, RB, Dolphins. ADP: Undrafted.
Good things have been said about Kalen Ballage in training camp. The fourth-round rookie runner has been described as “strong and fast.” Ballage has great talent but didn’t live up to it at Arizona State. Perhaps he’s changed his tune now that he’s in the pros.
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D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texans. ADP: 14.01.
D’Onta Foreman has become a bit of a forgotten man. He’ll be back from injury in the middle of the season, and he’ll be a starter once he returns. I wouldn’t necessarily draft Foreman, but make sure to pick him up around Week 5 or so.
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Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. ADP: 10.10.
I have Patrick Mahomes as a top-10 fantasy quarterback, so he’s a steal at his 10th-round ADP. Mahomes has a huge arm and scrambling ability, and he has impressed the Chiefs in practice. I’ll be targeting him in all of my leagues.
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Blake Jarwin, TE, Cowboys. ADP: Undrafted.
Dak Prescott has been targeting second-year tight end Blake Jarwin frequently during OTAs. The Cowboys spent a fourth-round pick on Stanford tight end Dalton Schultz, but it seems like Jarwin could lead the tight end in targets this upcoming season.
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Jamison Crowder, WR, Redskins. ADP: 10.01.
I liked Jamison Crowder going into last year, but he began poorly because of hip and hamstring injuries. If he can stay healthy this year, he’ll have a chance to post some big numbers; he’s shown great rapport with Alex Smith thus far in training camp.
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Derek Carr, QB, Raiders. ADP: 12.06.
Derek Carr is a solid bargain at his 12th-round ADP. He had a 28:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2016. He struggled last year, but only because he dealt with an ailing back all year. He’ll be healthy heading into 2018, and he’ll also have quarterback guru Greg Olson aiding him. Olson transformed Jared Goof into Jared Goff this past season, so he’ll apply the magic touch with Carr.
More 2018 Fantasy Football Articles:
Fantasy Football Rankings
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 8/21 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/21 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/21 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/18 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/30 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/27 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/23 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/22 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/16 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/9 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/2 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/1 (Chet)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 7/26 (Walt)
Fantasy Football 2-QB Dynasty Draft - 5/25 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 2-QB - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 Touchdown League - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Custom - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Articles:
2018 Fantasy Football Stock Report: OTAs, Training Camp - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Busts - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Mid-Round Values - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 NFL Preseason Game Recaps - 8/31 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/31 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Notes - 8/31 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Quarterback Preseason Targets Tracker - 8/30 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football D/ST Drafting - 8/28 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football ADP Values: Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/15 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football ADP Values: Quarterbacks - 8/15 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Tight Ends to Target - 8/9 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football - PPR Draft Strategy: Rounds 1 and 2 - 7/27 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Doug Baldwin's Value - 7/25 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Chris Hogan's Value - 7/18 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Alvin Kamara's Value - 7/16 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Tight Ends - 7/11 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Wide Receivers - 7/6 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Running Backs - 7/5 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Quarterbacks - 7/4 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Tight Ends Better Than ADP - 6/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Better Than ADP - 6/28 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Target Shares - 6/22 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Points Per Game - 6/13 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 6/2
2018 Fantasy Football Value Players - 5/25 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Quarterback Look-Back - 1/28 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football: Running Backs with the Most Carries - 1/28 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Nov. 20
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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