DLF’s Dynasty Predictions: Fantasy Sleeper

Ryan Finley

Another off-season is drawing to a close, and real-deal football is almost here. To say a lot has changed since the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV back in February would be like saying Patrick Mahomes signed a good contract. The dude just signed an extension worth half a billion dollars. But all the ups and downs of 2020 won’t stop us from rolling out DLF’s 2020 Fantasy Predictions.

As we do every year, we have several different articles for you in the following categories:

So who do we think will fly under the radar and into our fantasy hearts? These are our picks for Fantasy Sleeper.

Tarik Cohen, RB CHI

This was my pick before David Montgomery was injured, and now I like it even more. Cohen is currently being drafted 101st overall as the 35th running back off the board. We’ve seen him finish as a low-end RB1 only two years ago and he’s averaged 180 points over his three-year career, good enough for an RB2 finish. – John Di Bari

Kirk Cousins, QB MIN

I know, this one is out of left field, but hear me out. Cousins has finished as a top-15 quarterback in five straight seasons. Cousins ranked seventh in fantasy points created per completion and tenth in fantasy points created per attempt in 2019 and just two years ago, under Mike Zimmer, attempted 606 passes. He is a much cheaper Russell Wilson who could carry incredible efficiency into a situation that could lend toward much more volume than expected. – Scott Connor

Allen Lazard, WR GB

This is just a guess, but stud quarterbacks often create two decent fantasy receivers per season. Davante Adams will be one, and who else has the potential to be the other? My nod goes to Lazard, and his value is very low right now. I don’t think this is long-term though. – Mike Havens

TY Hilton, WR IND

He is not a sleeper name, but you can certainly get Hilton later in drafts than in years past. With Philip Rivers at the helm, I see a Keenan Allen-like, target-heavy, top-12 season in store. – Jeremy Schwob

Marvin Jones, WR DET

Jones has finished as the WR29, WR20, and WR12 the past three seasons. That’s a WR3, WR2, and WR1 season and he’s currently being drafted as a WR5. Even at 30 years old he should still provide at least two more seasons of top 30 WR production. And if you’re worried about his injury history, don’t be. He’s a bit injury prone but has played at least 13 games in five of his eight career seasons. – Shane Manila

Auden Tate, WR CIN

Tate is a big-bodied wideout who seems to have developed early chemistry with rookie starting QB Joe Burrow in training camp. The lack of a tight end and the combination of size and strength from Tate should net him plenty of red-zone looks. He might be touchdown-dependent but for his price, you could do much worse in the flier department. – James Koutoulas

Darius Slayton, WR NYG

Slayton was very impressive as a rookie and has a chance to be the WR1 for the Giants. He’s not being priced like either of those things are true. – Bobby Koch

Parris Campbell, WR IND

Campbell is my receiver sleeper this season. His injury-hampered 2019 with subpar quarterback play has kept his ADP in the value territory. (He is currently going as WR57 in startup drafts.) He’s healthy, turning heads at camp with new quarterback Philip Rivers, and poised to easily return value on a low draft cost investment. – John Hesterman

Emmanuel Sanders, WR NO

A healthy Sanders is the WR2 Drew Brees has been missing for the last several years. Look for the former 49er to benefit from all the defensive attention paid to Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. He will be a staple on championship-winning squads in December. – Josh Brickner

Jordan Howard, RB MIA

Right now Howard is being drafted as the RB48 in dynasty startup drafts and has the potential to be a high-end RB2 in 2020. Howard is the early-down and goal-line favorite for the Dolphins while Matt Breida is expected to be the change of pace and passing-down back. People don’t get excited about Howard but he had a 4.4 YPC and six rushing touchdowns in ten games for Philadelphia last year. He’s the perfect low-risk, high-reward player you look for when dealing with positional scarcity. – Eric Olinger

Preston Williams, WR, MIA

I am apparently high up in the Williams fan club, as he is probably my most sought-after player in drafts and trades this summer. His rookie season was on pace to be one of the most voluminous of the last 20 years, and that is with DeVante Parker healthy. He remains very far down the ADP list, still not cracking the top 50 WRs drafted. It was presumed he would start slow this year after the ACL injury, but he’s practicing fully and now has a green light for 2020. He out-snapped Parker in the first eight games of last season and I think he will produce the most WR fantasy points in Miami this year. – Alfred Fernandez

Brandin Cooks, WR HOU

If there was a WR who has been top 15 in four of the last five years, while moving teams (showing raw ability over comfort with offenses), who you could draft in the mid to late rounds of your redraft draft, you would be all over him. Well, that player is Brandin Cooks. To top it off he is now on a team that is lacking a true WR1 and will be passing often. Injuries have been a concern and still are, but assuming a mostly healthy season (or a season at all), Cooks is free value in later rounds. – Adam Tzikas

Christian Kirk, WR ARI

His dynasty ADP has been laughable all off-season. A lot of people point to his lack of efficiency in 2019 and conclude that he just isn’t very good while completely ignoring the fact he suffered a high ankle sprain in week three, missed three games, and then played through it the rest of the year. Those same people that want to write him off due to inefficiency in 2019 are pretending his 2018 season didn’t happen, when he was somehow efficient with one of the least efficient quarterbacks in recent memory, Josh Rosen, at the helm. I’m betting sliding into the WR2 chair and a return to health does wonders for Kirk this year and I am fully expecting a WR2 floor with an outside chance that Kirk and DeAndre Hopkins are the teammate duo to finish as WR1’s. – Drew Osinchuk

Brandin Cooks, WR HOU

Cooks gets no love – none, I tell you! He is stepping into the Texans offense which lost its biggest weapon and the other weapons are injury prone to boot. Pencil Cooks in for over 1,200 yards and ten scores if he’s healthy – which is my only concern. – Dwight Peebles

Tarik Cohen, RB CHI

Montgomery is hurt and there is no one else on the depth chart. Cohen also saw 104 targets last year. The Bears offense should be better this season. – Jeff Smith

Jamison Crowder, WR NYJ

He is one of the least sexy names in fantasy football, but Crowder is going to FEAST in New York this year. With no Robby Anderson, an injured rookie in Denzel Mims, and free-agent signing Breshad Perriman as his main competition, Crowder is going to be hyper-targeted by Sam Darnold. I would not be surprised if Crowder has a Golden Tate season, flirting with 90 receptions and 1,000 yards, en route to a WR2 finish in 2020. – Addison Hayes

Randall Cobb, WR HOU

Late in his career, Cobb finds himself in a situation where he will be desperately relied upon – for better or worse. One could mention the injury woes surrounding both Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller ahead of Cobb, but neither player should have an effect on Cobb’s role regardless. – Adam Wilde

TJ Hockenson, TE DET

It’s hard to call a first-round pick a sleeper, but when it comes to tight end, we rarely show any patience. It takes time to learn this position at the next level, and Hockenson has all the tools I want in a premier tight end. You can also get him for a bit of a discount now after a mostly forgettable rookie campaign. – Ryan Finley

There you have it. Who do you like for this year’s Fantasy Sleeper? Comment below!