When it comes to writing fantasy leagues during a season, price is the key. Whatever your positioning strategy (mediators first, prioritize receivers, etc.), a draft can succeed if quality players are discovered at all stages of the draft.
That’s why draftniks do their best to avoid possible early failures and why the term “sleeper” has become a component of the lexicon.
NFL recruits can be bargains because they haven’t been tested, are unpredictable, and they’re backed up. That’s not the case for all rookies, of course: the offensive part of Kansas City Cheifs, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, has an average draft position (ADP) of 16, but there’s a lot of price to discover among freshmen.
Here, let’s take a look at five new recruits whose profits exceed their current position in the draft.
Jalen Reagor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Former TCU open receiver Jalen Reagor can enter an opening role with the Philadelphia Eagles, at least to start the season. According to Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports, Reagor worked with the first-team offensive in the education field, such as J.J. Arcega Whiteside remains marginalized and Alshon Jeffery is on the puppy list.
Reagor, who averaged 14.2 yards consistent with the reception last season, is an explosive game creator who can take credit for Carson Wentz’s strong arm and box vision. In an offense that took eighth place in pass attempts and the 11th in air yards last season, there’s plenty of things for Reagor as a rookie.
With an ADP of 132, there is also a lot of price to discover here.
Cam Akers, RB, Rams of Los Angeles
With an ADP of 65, Los Angeles Rams ball carrier Cam Akers is precisely a deep sleeper. However, it is well rated below Edwards-Helaire, and may have comparable production once the season begins.
Akers appears to be on the front line of Los Angeles with long-old replacement Malcolm Brown and sophomore kid Darrel Henderson. Akers amassed 1,369 yards combined on the court and receiving with Florida State last season and is built for a full role.
Gurley had that role in 2019, and while he arguably had his worst season as a pro, he still finished with 31 receptions, 1,064 yards combined on the court and at reception and 14 touchdowns in total. Akers may have numbers in his first professional season.
Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Jaguars de Jacksonville
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a budding stallion in DJ Chark Jr., and rookie catcher Laviska Shenault Jr. could soon play along. Colorado’s incredibly talented product was impressive on the education field and may play an initial role opposite Chark.
“He’s a lot of road runners, he catches a lot of the ball of what he expected,” said quarterback Gardner Minshew II, through John Reid of the Florida Times-Union.
Minshew is making passes for 3271 yards and 21 touchdowns in 14 rookie games, and will be able to open the extra offense with Shenault and Chark in the lineup. Shenault can be a USable WR2 or Flex option until midway through the season and lately has a meager ADP of just 226.
Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals de Cincinnati
Like Shenault, Higgins, the Cincinnati Bengals wide jersey, is a beaten sleeping future (ADP 201) that may be just an initial option as the season progresses. He will play in a high-level offensive Zac Taylor and with Joe Burrow, Heisman’s protective winner, as a quarterback.
The 33rd overall draft pick would probably be a fantastic starting option if Cincinnati was no longer at the receiver level. Assuming A.J. Green is back 100%, Higgins will probably open the season Green, Tyler Boyd and sprinter John Ross.
However, given The inconsistency of Higgins and Ross at the professional level, he could be the No. 3 catcher at first. You can also move Boyd to No. 2 before the end of the season. If Burow can reflect the good luck he had at LSU last season, when he threw 60 landings, the 6’4″ Higgins may simply be a landing machine.
Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers, Pittsburgh
Chase Claypool, a wide diversity of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has deep sleep on this list and is a bit of a risk-reward option (ADP of 245). It joins a deep sinking body of the Steelers and will have Ben Roethlisberger’s ability to return to 100%.
However, if Big Ben can return to his Pro Bowl form, Claypool will have to climb the depths table and overcome what Diontae Johnson did as a rookie last season: Johnson ended with 680 yards and five touchdowns on 59 receptions.
Claypool, Pittsburgh’s second-round pick, shone in the field of education and may be one of the biggest imbalances on the Steelers roster.
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