NEWSLETTER
Fantasy Football Expert Ken Kelly explores the concept of fantasy football sleepers and highlights some of the Top 2023 Fantasy Football sleepers to target for the 2023 season.
What are Fantasy Football Sleepers?
Fantasy football is a beloved sport among fans who enjoy the thrill of managing their own teams and competing against others. One of the most exciting aspects of fantasy football is finding those hidden gems – aka fantasy football sleepers – who can exceed expectations and provide significant value to your team.
Fantasy football sleepers refer to an undervalued or overlooked player during the draft process but have a strong potential to outperform expectations and deliver impressive fantasy points.
These players often fly under the radar due to factors such as limited playing time, injuries, or being overshadowed by more well-known teammates. However, wise fantasy managers can capitalize on the opportunity and secure these sleepers, who can become game-changers for their fantasy teams.
In fantasy football, a sleeper is a player who has the potential to exceed their average draft position (ADP) and produce excellent fantasy stats despite being undervalued or underappreciated by the majority of fantasy managers.
These players often have breakout seasons or unexpectedly emerge as key team contributors.
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The Importance of Drafting Fantasy Football Sleepers
Drafting sleepers can be your hidden strategy to win fantasy football leagues. These underrated players help you save on resources and bring value throughout the season. Read on to learn more about why they matter and how to find them.
Drafting sleepers in fantasy football can be a big win for you. Why? Because you’re grabbing players who are good but not well-known. This means you don’t have to spend a high draft pick on them.
These sleepers don’t just sit on your bench, either. If one of your top players gets hurt, a sleeper can step in. Or you can trade them to improve your team.
Finding sleeper picks for your fantasy football team
Uncovering sleeper picks for your fantasy football team requires thorough research and analysis. It’s important to examine factors such as a player’s performance in the previous seasons, potential breakout opportunities, injury history, team dynamics, and the player’s role within their respective team’s offense.
Additionally, paying attention to expert opinions and fantasy football rankings can provide valuable insights on potential sleeper picks.
To pick a sleeper, you have to think outside the box. Maybe they’ve got a new role on their team. Maybe their team has changed its strategy. Any of these things could make a sleeper a great pick for you.
2023 Fantasy Football Sleepers and Breakout Candidates
Calvin Ridley, WR JAX
It’s pretty crazy to call anyone with a 1,300-yard season under his belt a sleeper, but this is the case with Ridley. After becoming miserable in Atlanta and then being suspended for the entire 2022 season, Ridley is back and somehow under-the-radar at the moment.
We’ve seen him be one of the leaders at the position in fantasy points per game before, and now joins one of the best young quarterbacks in pro football in the form of Trevor Lawrence. At his point, he could be one of the top fantasy football bargain picks.
James Cook, RB BUF
The backfield in Buffalo looks to belong to Cook, who should clearly build on what was a relatively quiet 2022 season.
With Devin Singletary and Zack Moss both headed out this off-season, there’s a clear path to playing time, ppr points, and a ton of fantasy scoring opportunities for Cook.
He has to top the charts for intrigue when you look at breakouts and busts.
Rashee Rice, WR KC
The Chiefs rookie has dazzled in training camp thus far and could be a serious sleeper for fastest rising rookie during the year.
When you’re looking for a potential breakout, tying him a fantasy QB with first-round draft capital isn’t a bad play.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see Rice lead the Chiefs as the receiver who has the highest finish in fantasy scoring this year.
Isaiah Hodgins, WR NYG
Hodgins was acquired mid-way through the year in 2022 and was quite the revelation for the Giants, even posting an 8/105/1 line in their playoff win against Minnesota.
The Giants depth chart is unsettled and fantasy managers could be sleeping on Hodgins.
Brian Robinson, RB WAS
Much was expected from Robinson after he was a third-round 2022 NFL Draft pick and one of the top fantasy sleepers last year. However, he was mostly disappointing last year, as he scored twice on the fantasy season and averaged less than four yards per carry.
Heading into the 2023 season, there are high hopes again but the cost is way down to acquire him. With Antonio Gibson slated for more of a receiving role, Robinson looks like a value pick with upside for managers who pass on running back early.
Rachaad White, RB TB
Many believe White could have RB1, top-12 fantasy upside this year as the Bucs have moved on from Leonard Fournette.
White is clearly one of the most polarizing picks for fantasy leagues as an unproven player who could either bust or be one of the best fantasy running backs in terms of fantasy ppg this season. Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Chase Edmonds could challenge White but he has a leg up in a big way in 2023.
Deep Sleepers for the Fantasy Football Draft Season
Jaylen Warren, RB PIT
Warren was a revelation last season for the Steelers and showed he has the chops to be a fantasy starter. While not a priority for many with Najee Harris still in the fold, he’s one of the best fantasy football picks to click this season and one of the better handcuffs this season.
John Metchie, WR HOU
Fantasy managers have short memories and may have forgotten about Metchie. Now a year removed from cancer treatment, he’s poised to take a big step forward in year two on a Texans team starving for playmakers but now with what looks to be a competent quarterback – he’s a clear target in 2023 drafts.
