Sleepers are fun.
Every fantasy football owner has their own predictions for players who will burst onto the scene. When those forecasts fall flat, you dust yourself off and move on. It was a long shot for C.J. Spiller to become the No. 1 running back anyway, right?
But when they hit, you feel like the king of the universe. (Looking at you, David Johnson).
Let’s talk about a few potential-packed players worth targeting in drafts.
Sleeper picks
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
The days of pounding the rock with Marshawn Lynch are over.
Yes, the Seattle Seahawks are still going to run. With Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael (another potential sleeper) in the backfield, head coach Pete Carroll can wield a “one-two punch.“
But Russell Wilson is the new franchise player.
From Weeks 11-17 last season, the fourth-year signal caller was the No. 2 overall fantasy quarterback, trailing only eventual league MVP Cam Newton. He averaged 27.8 fantasy points per game during that stretch, which towered over Matthew Stafford’s No. 3 output of 22.4.
Much of the attention regarding Wilson’s unconscious stretch has gone to Doug Baldwin, and with good reason. From Weeks 12 to 15, Baldwin hauled in an unbelievable 10 touchdowns.
But let’s not forget about Tyler Lockett.
After two games of double-digit fantasy points from Week 9 back, Lockett hauled in two scores in Week 10 and again in Week 14. He was electric in the return game since Day 1 and used that to emerge as Seattle’s No. 2 option in the passing attack.
Lockett’s rapport with Wilson was on display Thursday night, per the NFL’s Twitter account:
ESPN.com’s Sheil Kapadia wrote on August 8 that it’s “clear that the team is going to find ways to get [Lockett] consistent touches on a weekly basis.”
Kapadia doubled down later and projected a 900-yard, eight-touchdown season.
Lockett’s average draft position (ADP) is 75th overall, one spot before Detroit’s Marvin Jones. Take him if he’s there, or even in the 60s.
As Wilson’s deep threat, Lockett has megaboom upside every week.
Alfred Morris, RB, Cowboys
Why has the world forgotten about Alfred Morris?
In each of his first three seasons with the Washington Redskins, the 27-year-old ran for over 1,000 yards and seven-plus touchdowns on the ground.
Last year, admittedly, was a dud. Morris scored just one touchdown all season while scampering for 751 yards as he shared the backfield with Matt Jones.
And now, even though he’s running behind the Dallas Cowboys’ superhuman offensive line and has dominated the preseason, Morris is being drafted as the 131st player in fantasy leagues.
How come?
Some rookie.
OK, fine. Ezekiel Elliott is not your average first-year player. Taken with the fourth overall pick at the 2016 NFL draft, the former Ohio State star is the team’s running back of the future.
However, he’s had some red flags flare up in recent weeks. Most concerning is his health.
From August 3 to August 22, Elliott was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Tweaks like those are fluky, but they tend to nag.
On Thursday, though, Zeke stepped foot on an NFL field for the first time against the Seattle Seahawks. He totaled 48 rushing yards on seven touches before exiting.
Clearly, if healthy, Elliott is the top dog. But if called upon, Morris can be an every-down player—which would make him a fantasy star.
“He’s still that same player, that same guy who’s been to the Pro Bowl and rushed for over 1,000 yards,” Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne told ESPN.com’s Todd Archer earlier this week.
Morris is owned in just 29.5 percent of ESPN leagues, so go out and snag him on the waiver wire if he’s available. If you’re drafting, don’t be afraid to take him in the 10th round.
He’s likely to have a role in a run-heavy offense as it is, and he’s also capable of becoming the league’s No. 1 overall back if Dallas is bitten by the injury bug.
Potential team names
“For Whom Lev Bell Tolls”
If you’re going all-in on the Pittsburgh Steelers running back, who will miss the opening three games of the season due to suspension, you’ll at least need a Le’Veon Bell-based name.
“Ol’ Dirty Beckham”
Even though OBJ is a stellar nickname, you can’t go wrong with honoring the late rapper ODB with your team moniker.
“Big Daddy Gronk“
There’s no specific reason to name your team “Big Daddy Gronk.”
But do you really need one?
Check out Rob Gronkowski in the spot above with rapper Lil Dicky as he debuts a nickname that is sure to strike fear in the hearts of your opponents.
ADP information was sourced from Fantasy Football Calculator.
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