DLF’s 2019 Predictions: Fantasy Sleeper

Ryan Finley

It’s now been over 200 days since the Patriots defeated the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. That’s over 200 days of content including research, articles, podcasts and more getting ready for the next fantasy season. Well, the wait is almost over, as the 2019 NFL Football season is right around the corner. That also means that it’s time for DLF’s 2019 Fantasy Predictions. As we do every year, we have several different prediction articles for you in the following categories:

Next up in the series we sling our picks for this year’s Fantasy Sleeper:

Preston Williams, WR MIA

The undrafted rookie wide receiver out of Colorado State has been turning heads throughout all of training camp. With a very limited amount of depth at the receiving position, Williams should find himself securing a starting role and fitting in well with either Josh Rosen or Ryan Fitzpatrick. The latter could really push Williams’ stock through the roof in 2019. With an ADP of 208, he is sleeper worthy in most leagues. – Noah Ballweg

Malcolm Brown, RB LAR

Are we sure Darrell Henderson will be the main beneficiary of the Rams’ efforts to conserve Todd Gurley? Brown is a talented veteran with experience in the offense and will be a difficult player for Henderson to overcome as a rookie. I doubt the Rams will be trotting Gurley out there when they are up multiple scores going into the fourth quarter. Brown could be a garbage time machine with the potential to be a league winner if Gurley were to miss any time. – Kyle Holden

Marvin Jones, WR DET

Jones isn’t a traditional sleeper . . . someone you haven’t heard much about. But we may need to classify what sleeper means exactly. In Jones’ case, it means that people are completely sleeping on his 2019-2020 value. For most redraft rankings, he is going around WR35-40. I think he will be the co-#1 with Golladay and will have some huge weeks, and also some down weeks. He could easily finish as a WR2, and his price is closer to a WR4. – Levi Chappell

Jarvis Landry, WR CLE

A sleeper should be deeper, but I’m not sorry, because this has gone too far. With the help of Jacob Rickrode (@clutchfantasy) let me suggest that wide receiver 30 in August ADP is too low for a player who has finished in the top 24 for the last four years running (twice in the top 12). Start thinking of this as a Julio and Roddy White situation not . . . whatever this rank reflects. He’s 26. Stop tilting. – Peter Howard

Chris Carson, RB SEA

Carson is the 28th running back being selected per August ADP – a back that had 1,300 total yards and nine scores in 2018. The offense will be more versatile but should still run tons and Rashaad Penny is not going to take many carries from Carson. He’s an RB2 being drafted way late. – Dwight Peebles

Trey Quinn, WR WAS

Currently being drafted as the 83rd wide receiver off the board, it’s hard to imagine Quinn not out-performing his ADP. Jay Gruden’s slot receiver in Washington has averaged 60 receptions and 730 yards. If Quinn matches those numbers – even without scoring a single touchdown – he’ll finish with 133 fantasy points, which would have been good enough for WR47 last year. Those aren’t league winning numbers, but you can do a lot worse with your 18th-round pick. – John Di Bari

Calvin Ridley, WR ATL

Most write off Ridley’s success last season because his lofty touchdown numbers seem unsustainable. A closer look reveals a top-drafted wideout entering his prime age playing opposite an aging veteran. The gradual transition from Julio to Ridley starts now and might not be as gradual as we all think. – James Koutoulas

Mike Williams, WR LAC

He’s healthy and Tyrell Williams is gone. He’s got all the talent in the world. – Doug Green

Jordan Reed, TE WAS

To identify a true sleeper, I went as far back as I could in redrafts and picked the player that had the best chance to finish as a solid starter for any fantasy team. He’s finally healthy, and if he can maintain that health throughout the season, he should fare well in a passing game that lacks targets. – Mike Havens

Justice Hill, RB BAL

The perfect antidote for what has been a sluggish Baltimore offense, Hill adds an explosive element the solid yet uninspiring Mark Ingram lacks. With rockets attached to his cleats and the ability to thrive in the passing game, I could see Hill having a Tarik Cohen type of rookie year impact. – Rob Willette

Chris Carson, RB SEA

Why do people hate Carson so much? Pete Carroll has a proven track record of “the best player plays, regardless of draft pedigree.” Carson finished 2018 as the RB18 in PPR leagues and now sees his ADP at 69.00 in DLF’s August mock drafts . . . one spot behind teammate Penny. Of course you have to take everything you hear in the preseason with a huge grain of salt but the word out of Seattle is Carson is the clear cut RB1 on the team and they want him to catch 50+ balls. This guy is being drafted as the RB28 in dynasty leagues behind guys like Penny, Mark Ingram and Devonta Freeman. I think it’s a big mistake letting him slip. – Eric Olinger

Larry Fitzgerald, WR ARI

Fitzgerald has already had one renaissance, how about another? After three straight 1,000-yard seasons, his total dipped last year but the offense has bounced back in a big way with new coach Kliff Kingsbury and rookie quarterback Kyler Murray. Fitzgerald is the unquestioned leader of an offense that will throw it a ton. – Michael Moore

DeSean Jackson, WR PHI

He’s back home and the camp reports have been glowing. This is a player who, despite his age, can turn a single reception into a WR1 week. I believe he’ll easily outplay his current status of “afterthought” and approach WR2/WR3 value. – Eric Hardter

Tyrell Williams, WR OAK

Williams has all the makings of a breakout wide receiver. He is both a deep threat and a short target factor, traits that play into Derek Carr‘s strengths. Carr was the #1 most accurate deep passer per PFF in 2018, and despite this also had one of the league’s shortest aDOT’s as well. Williams is the perfect field stretching WR2 to complement Antonio Brown in this year’s Oakland offense. His team WR1 upside (should this AB saga continue into the year) makes his 13th round ADP laughable, regardless of where he falls on the depth chart. If you are playing best ball leagues, you absolutely need to have Williams on your roster. – Ryan Miller

Tyrell Williams, WR OAK

With Brown getting cold feet (bad pun intended) about the new helmet he’s being forced to wear, Williams could end up as the WR1 in Oakland. In 2016 as the go-to target in Los Angeles San Diego, the Gazelle caught 69 receptions for 1,059 yards, seven touchdowns, and finished as the PPR WR18. Even with AB on the field, Williams should get plenty of one-on-one coverage to showcase his 2018 league-best 68.8% contested catch rate. – Josh Brickner

Curtis Samuel, WR CAR

After missing the first few weeks of last season, and a slow start thereafter, Samuel caught relative fire down the stretch, with 370 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his final seven games. These aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they were exactly what you’d hope to see from a sophomore second-round pick that was used as an all-purpose weapon in college. Despite being slotted as low as 110th in DLF’s ranks, Samuel has made progress, and there should continue to be room for him to produce in the Carolina offense. – Stephen Gill

Darren Waller, TE OAK

Last year, Jared Cook was a top-5 TE in this offense. Reports have been glowing all offseason and Gruden himself said that Waller is in for the opportunity of a lifetime. He’s also a converted WR. He’s ready to smash. – Austin DeWitt

Jameis Winston, QB TB

Winston’s fantasy value has taken a hit recently, and for good reason, but the stars are aligning now. He’s got too many weapons, an offensive-minded coach, and at the end of the day the talent is there too. – Jacob Wolf

Chris Carson, RB SEA

Carson has entered the realm of the critically under-rated. I know he’s not the most talented back in the world. I know he doesn’t have that draft pedigree. But I also know that Pete Carroll just doesn’t care, as long as he runs the rock with success. Buy him cheap now, reap the rewards later. – Ryan Finley

There you have it. Who is your favorite sleeper target in 2019? Comment below!