DLF’s 2018 Predictions: Sleeper Rookie of the Year

Ken Kelly Posted On September 5, 2018

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 continue the series with “Sleeper Rookie of the Year.” To qualify for this category, a rookie had to be chosen who is currently outside the top 24 in our rankings and ADP information. As expected, we received a wide variety of different choices.

Dallas Goedert, TE PHI

Picking a tight end for this category is typically dangerous because of how long they typically take to develop. Picking a tight end who isn’t even a starter on his own team seems like article suicide. Still, I’m holding firm in my belief Goedert will at least run with the Trey Burton role in Philadelphia and prove to be a rookie draft steal. His long-term upside looks great and while his landing spot wasn’t ideal, his talent should win out starting as soon as this season. – Ken Kelly

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Tre’Quan Smith, WR NO

I was a fan of Smith’s game in college and the fact he landed in an explosive offense led by Drew Brees made me like him even more. Of course Michael Thomas is still there, but I could see a scenario playing out where Smith works his way into the second receiver role for the team at some point this season. If he does, he could end up being one of the best value picks in this year’s rookie drafts. Smith has flashed a ton this preseason and his game seems to mesh well with what the Saints like out of their receiver opposite Michael Thomas. – Kyle Holden

Josh Allen, BUF QB

Sure, he has some issues. Josh Allen is nobody’s idea of a safe prospect and the offensive weapons and line blocking for him in Buffalo aren’t inspiring, either. However, we’ve seen Blake Bortles put up top 12 quarterback numbers in a similar situation in recent years, too. People decry his numbers as reliant on garbage time but it’s all the same on the stat sheet. The Bills are likely going to be trailing a lot in 2018 and they’re going to need their strong-armed rookie to attempt plenty of unfeasible comebacks. In the absence of many compelling options, Allen seems to be a safe bet for immediate production in the range he’s been taken. – Tom Kislingbury

Jordan Akins, TE HOU

Watson and Hopkins, Watson and Hopkins, it seems it’s all anyone cares about in Houston. Well, that offense has had a gaping hole at the tight end position and barely anyone is talking about Akins, whom the Texans drafted in the third round this year out of the University of Central Florida. Again, in case you didn’t notice, they drafted Akins in the third round. Draft capital, people. They will use Akins and he flashed his receiving skills right away in the preseason with two touchdown catches right out of the gate. You can get him for a song and he could really pay off. – Ryan Finley

Tre’Quan Smith, WR NO

Over 35% of wide receivers who broke out at the age of 19 in college and were drafted in the third round have become top 24 wide receivers since 2000. Over 43% players to breakout into the top 24 in that time have had a breakout age of 19. Not that it matters, but Smith is also 6’2”, weighs 220lbs, and ran a 4.49 40-time. He was very productive in college, and New Orleans is due more passing touchdowns in 2018. His quarterback is Drew Brees as well. It adds up to some great potential for Smith, even in his rookie season. – Peter Howard

Ito Smith, RB ATL

Sigh, this was so easily going to be Deon Cain. As it is, anything happening to either Devonta Freeman or Tevin Coleman will thrust Smith into a meaningful role as he has seized the number three job. – TJ Calkins

DJ Chark, WR JAX

Chark probably has the highest near-term ceiling of anyone outside the top 20. He has the physical makings of a stud receiver and showed flashes of putting it together in college. However, he’s going to have to do so consistently in order to take advantage of that in the NFL and that’s far from a given. But if so, he has an incredible opportunity. The Jags receiving corps is one of the league’s worst without Marqise Lee, particularly in the #1 receiver department. There’s no guarantee that he figures it out (and there are competent receivers to take his targets if he doesn’t) but the best-case scenario is great. – Stephen Gill

Antonio Callaway, WR CLE

Maybe I just have a thing for receivers in offenses with a ton of options, but Callaway is another player I have my eye on. I know he has already found some trouble and that was a major concern during the draft as well, but I believe in the talent. Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon remain ahead of him on the depth chart, but he should be in during three receiver sets. If either were to go down, I’d expect big things from Callaway. – Bobby Koch

DJ Chark, WR JAX

With Marqise Lee out for the year, a clear opportunity presents itself for rookie Chark. With high draft capital and opportunity, he could command the lead role at receiver ahead of less talented teammates. – Kevin O’Brien

Tre’Quan Smith, WR NO

I feel Smith is a somewhat obvious option here, but I also feel he’s by far the best. Smith’s talent has never been in question but it seems he fell because of his landing spot. New Orleans was a run heavy offense last season and there are a trio of wide receivers who are expected to start ahead of him. However, I mentioned before that talent rises and I feel Smith could potentially step into the Saints WR2 job as the season progresses. He was extremely impressive throughout preseason and the combination of tremendous talent in a high powered offense is enough to grab my attention. – Justin Bales

Dallas Goedert, TE PHI

He was my favorite tight end coming out of the draft. Had Goedert landed with the tight-end starved organizations of Dallas or Miami, he’d be a top 15 ranked rookie (possibly top ten). Unfortunately, the Eagles trolled their NFC East rivals in selecting the South Dakota State product one pick ahead of them. Goedert has had a productive preseason (9/149/1) and looks to be a significant part of the Philadelphia offensive game plan this year. Should Alshon Jeffery miss more than a few weeks and/or (heaven forbid) Zach Ertz is absent for a significant period of time, Goedert could win many a dynasty league for his owners. – Josh Brickner

Who’s your choice for sleeper rookie of the year? Let us know in the comments below!

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK