Summer Sleeper: Tampa Bay Bucs
With fantasy season right around the corner, we’re continuing our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL. You can find all of the Summer Sleeper articles here.
These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.
We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” which include such such dynasty mainstay names as Toby Gerhart, Christine Michael or Cordarrelle Patterson. You’re all too good for that.
While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.
Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!
[am4show have=’p2;p3;p4;p5;p6;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]
Charles Sims, RB
I already had my mind set on Sims as a dynasty target prior to news breaking of the ankle surgery that will keep him off the field for 12-14 weeks, but with every unfortunate injury to a talented player, there is a chance for owners to take advantage.
Buy-Low Opportunity
Every time you attempt to acquire a player, you should ask yourself: Is this player trending up or trending down? Will they become more expensive or cheaper? If you have faith in the talent of players but attack them when their value is at its lowest; it can pay off in a huge way when they are back on the field. While the injury has not changed my opinion on Sims as a player, it has changed the way I will approach him in my dynasty leagues. Rather than anticipating an upward trend in Sims’ dynasty stock when the season kicked off, I believe his value may now drop to a point where he will be a bargain.
The situation brought to my mind two players who encountered similar problems last year – Markus Wheaton and Travis Kelce. Like Sims, both were third round picks who missed significant portions of their rookie years because of injuries. Wheaton only produced 64 yards in his rookie year as he broke two of his fingers (which resulted in surgery during the offseason. Kelce, who has been turning heads already this preseason, had microfracture surgery on his right knee last year but is another huge breakout candidate for 2014. Both of these players will be harder to acquire now than when they were off the field, as owners have seen a glimpse of what they can do. The opportunity to buy low on Sims may never be better than in the next couple of months.
Shake and Bake
Of the skill-position players selected by the Buccaneers in first three rounds of the 2014 draft, Sims is the pick I liked the most – so it wasn’t a surprise when Head Coach Lovie Smith announced that Sims has ‘it.’ He is a player who shows extraordinary patience to allow his blockers to open lanes and has the great vision to see where those lanes are and attack them. He is also extremely shifty in small spaces and maintains his ability to wiggle despite an upright running style – giving him arguably the best shake moves in the 2014 class. But just as impressive as his ability to make people miss is that he can come right back on the next snap and use his strong 214-pound frame to run over defenders. However, Sims’ college stats tell the tale of his true strong point:
*Sims was redshirted in 2010 for academic reasons
Of his 5,573 total yards from scrimmage, a whopping 38% of those were receiving yards. By comparison, during their respective college careers Bishop Sankey had 14% receiving yards, Jeremy Hill 11% and Carlos Hyde 8%. So while he is a good runner, the passing game is where he really thrives. That receiving prowess will be a major strength in PPR leagues, and his ability to protect the quarterback (an aspect of his game that has already been praised by offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford). will allow the young runner to be trusted in the backfield when healthy.
Bargain
The FFGhost identified Sims as a fantasy bargain back in April in the Orange Report:
“He has barely been mentioned as one of the top prospects at his position, but he should be”
I couldn’t agree more back then, and this will continue to be the case until he gets out on the field to show what he can do. Jacob Feldman also expressed his thoughts on Sims in DLF’s final rookie mock when he was taken at 2.11 (before the injury) and made two points I completely agree with – one being that Doug Martin is a good back, but not an elite one. The second is that Sims could approach a “Joique Bell-level of production” even with Martin healthy. Sims will be a heavy contributor when he returns, so keep tabs on his stock and strike while you can.
As well as editing for DLF, James writes for Sky Sports and can be found on Twitter at @JS_Football
- 2022 Rookie Class: An Early Look at Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh - January 31, 2022
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: Quez Watkins, WR PHI - July 15, 2020
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: John Hightower, WR PHI - July 7, 2020
