2018 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Sleepers

Ken Kelly

Securing the late round gem in a rookie draft or being the first to snag a player off waivers only to see him turn into a valuable asset give dynasty owners some of the greatest feelings of accomplishment and “fantasy football self-worth.” Let’s face it – there are few things in life we love more than looking smarter than our leaguemates.  In fact, one of our recent surveys indicated unearthing that late round gem, sleeper player or emerging star before our competitors was actually considered to be a greater feeling than actually winning a league. That, my friends, is significant.

One of our favorite yearly tasks is to comb through depth charts and find “Summer Sleepers” for each of the 32 teams. While that series won’t come out until later this Summer, we can certainly look at some rookies who could be being overlooked right now. I asked Team DLF to give me some names of players who they believe could be rookie sleepers. In order to qualify for this list, the player could not currently be in the top 36 in our Rookie ADP, thus not be players widely considered in the first three rounds of rookie drafts. After all, you don’t need us to tell you about mainstream rookie “sleepers” like Antonio Callaway or Nyheim Hines – that’s not exactly breaking news.

In the end, I was given a whole host of names and many of them showed up a couple of times. While it’s highly likely every player on this list is forgotten in a few years, there’s also a chance we could have the next Antonio Brown or Arian Foster on this list as well. A savvy dynasty owner does their research and leaves no stone unturned – use this list as a guide to continue your research and make sure you do just that with our Rookie Draft Guide – the ulimate living resource for dynasty leagues.

With that in mind, let’s see the results of my rookie sleeper mini survey and see who made the cut.

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Keke Coutee, WR HOU (2 votes)
Rookie ADP: 37

I wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Coutee get a couple of votes here. He’s a burner and while the Texans already have one of those in Will Fuller, we’ve also seen Fuller have a hard time staying on the field and play with any level of consistency.

Jordan Wilkins, RB IND
Rookie ADP: 40

The depth chart of the Colts is ready and waiting for someone to emerge. While Marlon Mack will get the first shot at it, Wilkins could make things interesting with a good Summer.

Daurice Fountain, WR IND (2 votes)
Rookie ADP: 42

An in-house favorite of a few folks here at Team DLF, Fountain finds himself in a great spot and should challenge fellow rookie Deon Cain for rookie receiver supremacy with the Colts.

Justin Jackson, RB LAC
Rookie ADP: 44

To me, Melvin Gordon is one of the most fascinating players in dynasty leagues. After his rookie season, folks were banging their fists on the table exclaiming he was better and just didn’t score touchdowns. Now, the other side of the table is banging their fists on the other side of the table saying he’s not that good and had his numbers were just inflated by too many touchdowns. The truth is likely in the middle as Gordon is a good, but not great player in reality and fantasy. Jackson could challenge him for some work as early as this season.

Richie James, WR SF (2 votes)
Rookie ADP: 46

Most of the attention in San Francisco is being placed on Dante Pettis but James is also an intriguing receiver worth a look late in rookie drafts. He received two votes and I can tell you those were two very emphatic votes in his corner.

Ito Smith, RB ATL
Rookie ADP: 47

The Tevin Coleman contract situation looms large for Atlanta. If they don’t re-sign him at the end of next season, Smith could be in line to be the 1B to Devonta Freeman. He’s a small school prospect with huge production numbers. Owners will need to exhibit patience but could be handsomely rewarded with Smith.

Cedrick Wilson, WR DAL (2 votes)
Rookie ADP: 48

The Cowboys are desperate for playmakers at receiver and things have become worse with Terrance Williams’ recent arrest. They think they have a solid start in fellow rookie Michael Gallup but there’s room for more players to emerge and Wilson is lying in the weeds here. He’s one of my personal favorite sleepers and I’ve never been wrong in the thirteen years I’ve co-owned DLF….well, maybe once.

Or twice.

Or a few times.

But not this one!

I think…

Braxton Berrios, WR NE
Rookie ADP: 50

The Patriots are the among the best at getting late round slot receivers and turning them into valuable fantasy contributors. Could Berrios be next in line to the Wes Welker / Julian Edelman throne? It’s not entirely far fetched.

Josh Adams, RB PHI
Rookie ADP: 51

Many expected the Eagles to draft a running back. Instead, they signed Adams (who likely should have stayed in school) after the draft. Philadelphia had great success going down that route with Corey Clement last year and have a depth chart that’s open for one more player to emerge. Adams should have a chip on his shoulder and landed in a good spot.

Justin Watson, WR TB (2 votes)
Rookie ADP: 52

We know Mike Evans is going to dominate for years to come. However, the Bucs’ receiving corps is wide open after that. While they have DeSean Jackson and Chris Godwin ahead of him, there’s room for Watson to make a splash.

Allen Lazard, WR JAX
Rookie ADP: 55

As we get to ADP #55, we’re getting deep.

Lazard was signed after the draft and most were surprised he was left undrafted. The Jaguars are without Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson, so there’s room for players to emerge. There are lots of pass catchers vying for the top spots, including Marqise Lee, Keelan Cole, Dede Westbrook, Donte Moncrief and DJ Chark but Lazard is talented enough to have a puncher’s chance.

Troy Fumagalli, TE DEN
Rookie ADP: 59

Everyone assumes Jake Butt will return to pre-injury form but what if he doesn’t? The rest of the Broncos tight ends are far from proven commodities and Fumagalli could emerge with a solid off-season.

Jaleel Scott, WR BAL
Rookie ADP: 60

The Ravens have a wide receiver room full of veterans whom they can get rid of with little trouble. While Scott has little to no chance of making an early impact, the opportunity will be there if he can develop over the next year. He looks like a good roster stash in deep leagues.

Roc Thomas, RB MIN
Rookie ADP: NR

Thomas has been compared to Dion Lewis and was once one of the Nation’s hottest recruits before flaming out at Auburn. This is really deep but there’s little doubt Thomas has the chops to compete at a high level and could help fill the void let by Jerick McKinnon.

Dalton Schultz, TE DAL
Rookie ADP: NR

The Eagles single-handedly stopped the Cowboys from grabbing their tight end of the future by jumping them in the draft to take Dallas Goedert. Instead, the Cowboys settled for Schultz. I still see them giving Rico Gathers every opportunity to win the job but this is a situation worth monitoring.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR GB
Rookie ADP: NR

Someone has to step up in Green Bay behind their veterans and most have Equanimeous St. Brown and J’Mon Moore ahead of Valdes-Scantling on their lists. The truth is nobody knows who will emerge from this group of rookies and MVS is the cheapest of the bunch. If he’s the one who ascends the depth chart, you can get him for next to nothing at the moment.

Who do you like as a sleeper this year? Let us know in the comments below.

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ken kelly