The fantasy football draft season is here!
Drafting a winning fantasy team takes a lot of skill and a little bit of luck, including the ability to predict which players could post career-bests in the stat sheets and outplay their average draft positions (ADP). Such players are called “sleepers” in the fantasy world. Finding the right sleepers can be the difference between building a good team and building a squad that becomes a serious league title contender.
To help you in your quest to find the best draft bargains for this year, here’s a fantasy lineup (starters and reserves) that’s composed only of my favorite sleepers. Who knows, this squad alone could be a contender in your upcoming leagues!
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QB: Kenny Pickett, Steelers
Pickett didn’t have a good rookie season, but I think he turns it around in a big way. Heck, even the great Peyton Manning wasn’t good as a rookie. Not that Pickett will be Manning, but the Steelers improved the offensive line and added Allen Robinson to the passing game. He’s also looked the part of a major fantasy sleeper during the preseason. Pickett, who can also run with the ball, is on the rise.
RB: James Cook, Bills
Mark Konezny/USA Today Sports
Cook didn’t put up huge fantasy totals as a rookie, but he averaged better than five yards per carry and caught 21 passes out of the backfield. With Devin Singletary no longer on the roster, Cook should see his opportunities increase, especially as a pass catcher, in Year 2. Veteran Damien Harris could cap his ceiling to a certain degree, but Cook still has low RB2 appeal in PPR formats this season.
RB: Rachaad White, Buccaneers
White is in prime position to outperform his draft position, as the Buccaneers cut ties with Leonard Fournette in the offseason and didn’t replace him in the draft or free agency. Head coach Todd Bowles believes White can “become a complete, three-down back,” and it appears Tampa Bay will give him a chance to achieve that goal. He could emerge into a productive No. 2 fantasy running back in 2023.
WR: Jahan Dotson, Commanders
Dotson showed flashes of fantasy potential as a rookie, scoring seven touchdowns while also putting up 14-plus points five times. He’ll open the season as the No. 2 wideout behind Terry McLaurin, and he could be the No. 1 if McLaurin misses the start of the year. In a best-case scenario where Sam Howell pops, Dotson could bring back No. 2 wideout or flex value in his second NFL season.
WR: George Pickens, Steelers
Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports
Pickens popped a few times as a rookie, scoring 14-plus PPR fantasy points seven times. While his overall average of 9.8 points per game wasn’t exhilarating, some of his highlight-reel catches certainly were. With a year of experience under his belt and an obvious rapport with Pickett, Pickens is a candidate to be far better than his average draft position would suggest in 2023 fantasy drafts.
FLEX: Jordan Addison, Vikings
Addison landed in the best spot of any rookie receiver, as he’ll be projected as the No. 2 wideout in Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson. Even playing alongside the best wide receiver in fantasy, there will be plenty of targets for Addison to absorb after the team parted with Adam Thielen (Panthers) during the offseason. The Vikings were also third among all offenses in pass percentage last season.
TE: Dalton Kincaid, Bills
Rookie tight ends typically don’t make a huge statistical impact, but Kincaid could be the exception to that rule. He’ll play more of a wide receiver’s role in the Bills pass attack, meaning he’ll be the “move” tight end and see plenty of snaps in the slot. With a superstar quarterback like Josh Allen throwing him the football and a lack of a reliable No. 3 wideout on the roster, Kincaid could be a nice asset.
K: Jake Moody, 49ers
Moody takes over for the veteran Robbie Gould and should see more than his share of chances to score points behind an explosive 49ers offense. Moody is dealing with an injured quadriceps, but he could be a fantasy star upon his return.
Bench
QB: Sam Howell, Commanders
RBs: Khalil Herbert, Bears; Brian Robinson, Commanders; Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles
WRs: Skyy Moore, Chiefs; Romeo Doubs, Packers; Treylon Burks, Titans
TE: Sam LaPorta, Lions
