DLF’s 2018 Predictions: Fantasy Sleeper of the Year

Ken Kelly

Most rookie drafts are in the rearview mirror and the NFL Preseason is now over. We’re all busy combing the news sites trying to keep abreast of all the important developments as we prepare for the best time of the year, the NFL season.  That can only mean one thing – it’s time for us to put a bow on those reams of off-season content with DLF’s 2018 Fantasy Predictions. As we do every year, we have several different prediction articles for you in the following categories:

  • Fantasy MVP
  • Fantasy Rookie of the Year
  • Sleeper Rookie of the Year (outside our top 24)
  • Bust of the Year
  • Fantasy Sleeper
  • Best Dynasty Buy
  • Best Dynasty Sell
  • Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year

We take a few moments today to cover our choices for sleeper of the year.

Mike Williams, WR LAC

It’s crazy we’re already here but in MFL10 best ball leagues people are taking him at selection 173.3. The Chargers have a quarterback who slings the ball all over the field in Philip Rivers, a true monster of a WR1 in Keenan Allen and a stud backfield led by Melvin Gordon. What they don’t have after a season ending injury to Hunter Henry, is an elite red zone receiver (and Antonio Gates really doesn’t move the needle much). This is where Williams can shine. Go back to his senior season at Clemson and see why everyone was so excited for this kid. People are going to look back at him at the end of the season and ask, Why didn’t I see this coming?” – Eric Olinger

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Lamar Miller, RB HOU

Left for dead by many dynasty owners, Miller has looked good this off-season and while his numbers aren’t impressive over the past few seasons, he could bounce back in a huge way and be a bargain in dynasty leagues, especially with D’Onta Foreman on the shelf. With a sixth round ADP, you could do much worse in search of running back help. – Ken Kelly

Demaryius Thomas, WR DEN

Thomas was just 51 yards shy of his sixth straight 80 reception, 1,000 yard and five touchdown season last year. On top of that, he has played all sixteen games each of those last six seasons. So, why does he not receive the respect he deserves? Sure, he turns 31 years old this season, but he has been one of the most reliable receivers in the NFL during his career. His teammate, Emmanuel Sanders, is another great sleeper pick this year as well, but his stellar third preseason game gave him a little more recognition and might have made Thomas even more of a value in fantasy drafts. In addition, Case Keenum should be an upgrade at quarterback over who Thomas and Sanders were catching passes from last season. – Kyle Holden

Ben Watson, TE NOS

Talk about a sleeper. Watson may have been on life support this off-season. I know everyone has loved another old man tight end in Delanie Walker but Watson has found himself in a prime position in New Orleans. We should be targeting Watson in his return to the bayou. I can see a top five tight end season from a player who would have cost you a cup of coffee this off-season. – Ryan Finley

Marquise Goodwin, WR, SF

His current price of WR50 in dynasty makes him likely the greatest profit vs price player available. Paying this WR5 price for WR2 return as the top option and “X” in the Shanny offense is the “loudest” sleeper I’ve ever heard of. – TJ Calkins

Robert Woods, WR LAR

I’m going to pick a player with a redraft ADP outside the top 100 for this category – that brings me to Woods, who I’ve been banging the drum on all off-season. He had big time production after a slow start and comfortably outproduced Cooper Kupp (who is going much earlier earlier) on a per game basis. It’s certainly understandable why people don’t believe in Woods after four years of mediocrity in Buffalo and just one good season under his belt. However, he’ll change minds soon enough as he plays in an excellent offensive scheme he is already comfortable in and has built-in chemistry with Jared Goff. – Zach Wilkens

Gerald Everett, TE LAR

After being taken in the second round last year, Everett looks like the Rams’ explosive new regime’s choice at tight end. Fast forward a season, and the early signs were good in his rookie year. While Everett managed just 244 yards in 2017, he was just a rookie, and first-year tight ends rarely get many looks. Even then, he got far more targets when on the field than Tyler Higbee, meaning he’s probably the guy they want catching the ball in the long term. Basically, as Everett develops and figures out the (complicated) tight end game, and thus gets on the field more, the targets will be right there with him. We’ve seen some ends break out earlier and earlier, so why not Everett in his sophomore campaign? – Stephen Gill

Kenny Stills, WR MIA

I say this all the time but for fantasy purposes over the last few seasons, Stills has outproduced Devante Parker. Parker is now dealing with injuries, and Jarvis Landry is on a new team. I know my friend Zach Wilkens will hate me for this call, but I really believe this is the year of Stills. – Bobby Koch

Jordan Howard, RB CHI

Howard has the potential to improve upon his productive season last year. Many have cited his inability to catch well out of the backfield, while new Bears Head Coach has repeatedly stated Howard will have a three-down back role in his offense. This one just seems obvious. – Kevin O’Brien

Emmanuel Sanders, WR DEN

Sanders is playing like a madman this off-season and is going to play mostly out of the slot in 2018, which just happens to be the same role Adam Thielen occupied for Case Keenum in 2017. Thielen saw 142 targets and was Keenum’s favorite by a large margin. Prior to 2017, Sanders finished inside the top 20 at the position for three consecutive years but is now going as the WR44 in August ADP. I think he is a value there and is primed for a bounce back season as the most productive Broncos receiver in 2018. – Matt Price

Sterling Shepard, WR NYG

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I think Shepard is the most underrated player in the NFL. He looked outstanding as a rookie before “struggling” last season. While most believe Shepard had a down season, he was on pace for a 86/1,066/3 line all while dealing with injuries. He should continuously see single coverage this season with teams focusing on stopping Odell Beckham Jr., Evan Engram and Saquon Barkley. Shepard is the forgotten man, but he is more than capable of being a dominant receiver in the NFL. – Justin Bales

Austin Hooper, TE ATL

Bold, I know. Targeting the TE24 in DLF ADP has very little risk, especially when you consider Hopper had five double digit PPR fantasy games in 2017, (which would more then pay off his current value.) However, that was before entering the most common breakout year for the position. Most players who enter the top 12 breakout for the first time in their third year (33%.) Most breakout between the ages of 24 and 26 for the first time (Hooper will turn 24 in November this year). I’m also hoping for something of a bounce back year for Atlanta after an over regression in 2017 from a hyper efficient season the year before. – Peter Howard

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE JAX

Yes, I’m a card-carrying truther for the man they call ASJ, but I also have some statistical evidence to backup my man crush. The season-ending injury to wide receiver Marqise Lee (96) and the departure of Allen Hurns (56) in free agency open up 152 targets in the Jacksonville offense from the 2017 season. Don’t be surprised if Seferian-Jenkins is not only the most reliable fantasy option of all Jaguars pass catchers, but finishes in the top ten of fake football tight ends. – Josh Brickner

Jaron Brown, WR SEA

I started off the summer high on Doug Baldwin. I told you to say away from Brandon Marshall. Coming into week one of the season we are told Baldwin is dealing with a knee injury that they will have to monitor “all season” and Marshall actually made the team initially. That said, it’s Jaron Brown who has impressed. He’s 6-2 and has the size/speed to open up the offense deep. The Seahawks love explosive plays and running deep routes off play action has already looked like a strong positive for Brown in the preseason. – Pete Lawrence

Who is your choice for sleeper of the year? Let us know in the comments below.

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ken kelly