DLF’s Dynasty Predictions: Sleeper Rookie of the Year

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:

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

In our next set of predictions, we’ll make our picks for the Sleeper Rookie of the Year.

Joe Reed, WR LAC

Let’s go deep! I like quite a few of the later-round rookie dart throws, but Reed has arguably the best opportunity ahead of him. With Mike Williams once again sidelined with injury, the Chargers need someone across from Keenan Allen. Over the last five years, the Chargers WR2 has averaged a little over nine fantasy points per game. – John Di Bari

Laviska Shenault, WR JAC

The injury narrative (and missed combine) pushed Shenault down draft boards and for much of the summer. He felt like the lost wide receiver prospect in the class. The usage tree and situation lines up for him being the most economical bet to be the 2020 version of AJ Brown. – Scott Connor

Joshua Kelley, RB LAC

Kelley was a third or fourth-round pick in most drafts, and looks to be in a timeshare early on. He’s a flex play at the very least right out of the gate. It’s hard to beat that value. – Mike Havens

Joshua Kelley, RB LAC

I’m not sure Austin Ekeler will function as a true workhorse. There should be a good deal of extra work available on the ground. He’s also solid in the passing game if Ekeler goes down. – Jeremy Schwob

Lamical Perine, RB NYJ

Adam Gase just doesn’t like Le’Veon Bell and Bell looked a little washed last season. Frank Gore is 37 years old. Perine’s path to fantasy relevance is crowded but not exactly blocked, and he has the receiving chops (40 receptions last year for the Florida Gators) to contribute on all three downs. – Shane Manila

Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR WAS

AGG finds himself in a situation where he can start contributing right away in Washington. With limited depth at the wideout position, coach Ron Rivera may be forced to use Gandy-Golden early and often this season. I think the rookie will be ready. – James Koutoulas

Van Jefferson, WR LAR

The Rams offense will bounce back this year and there’s room for another receiver to step up. Enter second-round pick Jefferson. – Bobby Koch

Quintez Cephus, WR DET

Cephus simply needs to get playing time to make a name for himself in the Lions offense. The oft-injured Danny Amendola and the aging Marvin Jones represent roadblocks to that opportunity, at least for this season. If either of these receivers miss any time, it gives Cephus that opportunity. In a pass-happy offense, that is all this young receiver needs to produce opposite of Kenny Golladay. – John Hesterman

DeeJay Dallas, RB SEA

With Rashaad Penny starting the season on the PUP list, there’s an opportunity for the fourth-round pick earlier than expected. If he is made the third-down back to begin the year and excels, he could see a more significant workload as the season progresses. – Josh Brickner

Eno Benjamin, RB ARI

I’m terrified of running back health in 2020 as a result of no preseason or a normal training camp, and that’s before the threat of any COVID- related absences. Anytime a team’s starting running back is in a walking boot two weeks before week one, it’s worth noting. Eno Benjamin is a 5’9″, 207-pound back out of Arizona State. His skills complement Kenyan Drake‘s nicely and could be a strong mid-season play should Drake’s foot injury flare back up. – Eric Olinger

Joshua Kelley, RB, LAC

Austin Ekeler is going to be awesome, but there is room for Kelley to still provide some flex appeal. The fourth-round rookie has been a standout in camp and this offense will run the ball a lot. The second back in this system will probably see 150 touches and Kelley is in a good position to take that role over Justin Jackson. He is one of the biggest backs on the team and can offer a goal-line option in addition to spelling Ekeler. I wouldn’t be shocked if Ekeler and a second RB were on the field at the same time on a regular basis. – Alfred Fernandez

Devin Duvernay, WR BAL

Duvernay is not the deepest of sleepers but also went to a potentially lucrative fantasy spot, even in the short term. The staff seemed jazzed to get him on draft day and has been very solid during training camp. The depth chart climb to catch passes from the league MVP is not very steep. – Adam Tzikas

Joshua Kelley, RB LAC

Kelley could see a role for the Chargers and steal touches. Austin Ekeler is now the man but doesn’t have the ideal three-down build and skill set. Justin Jackson is second on the depth chart but underwhelming. Kelley is a physical back who could work his way into early downs and goal-line carries – Dwight Peebles

Justin Herbert, QB LAC

How long will Tyrod Taylor actually start? If Herbert gets his chance around week six, it will be all systems go. – Jeff Smith

Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR WAS

On an injury-riddled and unexciting depth chart, Gandy-Golden has a real shot at being the second outside receiver across from Terry McLaurin on the Washington Football Team. If he is able to find significant snaps in 2020, AGG could be a late-season breakout, similar to Darius Slayton last year.- Addison Hayes

Antonio Gibson, RB WAS

(Editor’s note: This was submitted prior to Adrian Peterson‘s release and has been updated to reflect the news.)

Even prior to Washington parting ways with Derrius Guice, I felt Gibson had an excellent path towards solid playing time. With the departure of Chris Thompson and now the release of Adrian Peterson, Gibson has an extremely bright future. He could easily siphon off most of Washington’s backfield touches this season. – The FFGhost

Michael Pittman, WR IND

Pittman is a perfect complement to what is in my opinion the most balanced receiving corps in the NFL. Unfortunately for the Colts, Parris Campbell and TY Hilton both have health concerns. Fortunately, Pittman is ready to step right in and contribute. – Adam Wilde

Cole Kmet, TE CHI

If we’re honest, it’s tough to pick a sleeper rookie, especially this year. This crop of rookies just won’t get the same opportunity to learn as they did in the past. Kmet is my favorite TE prospect this year, and there’s a cold, dark void in the Bears’ depth chart at the position. And Matt Nagy has wanted a feature TE from day one. – Ryan Finley

There you have it. Who do you like for the Sleeper Rookie of the Year? Comment below!