The NFL draft is over, OTA’s are beginning, and fantasy football leagues are already drafting for the upcoming season. What better time is it to deliver some sleepers than now?
Every year managers are stuck on consensus rankings. Their thought process is that the previous season’s results will carry over into the following year. While there are some instances of this happening, it’s more likely that new faces will find themselves atop the fantasy football rankings. With that said, let’s get down to business.
Quarterback
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
If you still aren’t sold on Carr at this point, I don’t know what to tell you. His QB13 finish last year surprised many. That was with Waller hurt for a large portion of the season; not to mention the catastrophic drama that the Raiders dealt with last year.
Prior to that, Carr was an MVP candidate in the first half of the season. This year he gets his college teammate and elite wide receiver Davante Adams by his side; and hopefully, a healthy Darren Waller. Let’s not forget one of the best route-runners in the NFL in Hunter Renfrow, also.
Carr signed a three-year extension with the Raiders. With new head coach Josh McDaniels, he’ll be in a pass-heavy offense as well. Don’t be surprised to see him finish as a top-12 QB this year despite falling outside the top-15 quarterbacks in most drafts I’ve been a part of.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
To the surprise of many, the Detroit Lions didn’t attempt to draft a quarterback in the 2022 NFL draft. Instead, they bolstered the weapons surrounding Jared Goff. 2022 is likely to be a make-or-break season for the former Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback.
Not only did the Lions get DJ Chark, who has shown to be an elite receiver in his past, but they also drafted Jameson Williams in the 1st round of the NFL draft. On top of that, they have an elite pass-catching RB in D’Andre Swift.
Goff has been essentially forgotten about by fantasy football managers. Use this as an advantage. Not only will you be able to pass on quarterback for better players early in your draft, but you could have a potential steal when selecting Goff.
On a team unlikely to be leading in most games, the Lions will have to rely on the arm of Goff. He will either prevail or flounder, and I’m betting on the former this season.
Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons
Reuniting with his former OC from his time with the Titans, Mariota is a great dart throw in the late rounds of your fantasy football draft. Obviously, we know how his tenure there went, but with the Raiders Mariota looked like a better, experienced player.
Arthur Smith has already established the fact that Mariota will be the starter in Week 1. And, while the team did draft Desmond Ridder, don’t expect the rookie to be hot on his heels. Third round quarterbacks aren’t all that likely to make an impact in the NFL, and Ridder will have work to do if he wishes to surpass Mariota.
Even with the Falcons being quite bereft of talent on offense, there are big bodied targets in Drake London and Kyle Pitts. On top of that, he will have sneaky rushing upside that many fantasy football managers have seem to forgotten. Don’t sleep on Mariota this season. Even with the likelihood of the Falcons losing most of their games, he will provide plenty of value if Arthur Smith is true to his word.
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
Winston is another quarterback that I’m trying to target later in fantasy football drafts. With a new head coach, Winston will have a chance to prove himself yet again.
Prior to the NFL draft, the Saints offense wasn’t looking too appealing with only Michael Thomas as the team’s only legitimate pass-catching threat. Insert Chris Olave, a route-running technician who should have success from the opening week. On top of that, the team added Jarvis Landry, who is a considerably underrated receiver in his own right.
With a potential suspension of Alvin Kamara looming, it could mean big opportunity for Jameis going forward. Even if Kamara doesn’t face a suspension, having a pass-catching back of that caliber does nothing but help take the pressure off of Winston anyway.
The Saints don’t seem to have the same type of playoff aspirations as they did in previous years, and this could work to Winston’s advantage. If he’s given the green light to go to his old gunslinging ways, expect big fantasy numbers. Even if that isn’t the case, he’ll provide better value than where he’s being drafted.
