As of publishing this, we’re about to get our first full week of NFL preseason action.
So if you’re prepping for your 2022 fantasy football season, now’s the time you’re starting to think about sleepers, some of who we may see in action later this week.
And that’s what this annual list is for: A collection of sleepers from around the NFL, 32 of them to mark on your cheat sheet for your upcoming draft.
Of course, they may not end up being sleepers by the time you’re drafting. We’ll still list them here and hopefully, they’ll continue to be well-kept secrets:
1
Arizona Cardinals: TE Zach Ertz
Per Fantasy Pros, he’s TE10. That seems low to me!
He looked great once he left Philly, and with DeAndre Hopkins missing time due to suspension, he may end up higher than TE10 by the time the season’s done.
2
Los Angeles Rams: WR Allen Robinson II
As long as Matthew Stafford’s elbow is OK and he’s good to go for Week 1, the guy who’s had about five billion mediocre QBs throwing to him in his career could end up in the top 20 WRs this season.
3
San Francisco 49ers: QB Trey Lance
He didn’t look THAT great in the few starts he made last season. Whatever! He’s been handed the keys to the car, and even though that’s in a run-first offense, there’s upside all over the place with his legs and as a Year 2 QB in a Kyle Shanahan offense.
4
Seattle Seahawks: RB Ken Walker III
Alright, look, there isn’t much to like in Seattle this year, but maybe you take the rookie and Rashaad Penny isn’t the RB1 there all the time.
5
Dallas Cowboys: WR Jalen Tolbert
Hmm. There’s a spot open at WR2 for the Cowboys with Michael Gallup likely to miss time. CeeDee Lamb is going to get a lot of attention from defenses. HMMM.
6
New York Giants: WR Kadarius Toney
There was that one game last year against the Cowboys when he became a waiver wire darling, with 10 catches and 189 yards. Do we think he’ll do something like that more? Is it worth drafting him to find out? I’ll say, sure.
7
Philadelphia Eagles: RB Kenneth Gainwell
Tell me: How much faith do you have in Miles Sanders?
Right.
8
Washington Commanders: WR Jahan Dotson
I’m grasping here. I wouldn’t draft him in anything but the deepest of leagues. But you have to figure the first-rounder a year ago could take a step forward, even if his QB is (WELP) Carson Wentz.
9
Chicago Bears: TE Cole Kmet
Justin Fields is going to have to throw to someone other than Darnell Mooney, right? And shouldn’t it be a tight end a lot when Fields takes snaps behind a less-than-impressive offensive line?
Don’t worry about the touchdowns. They’ll come.
10
Detroit Lions: RB Jamaal Williams
It’s the D’Andre Swift Show in Detroit … but Williams was pretty useful in spots last year, and he could be REALLY valuable if Swift gets hurt.
11
Green Bay Packers: WR Romeo Doubs
Perhaps the most hyped player in NFL training camps this year. Why not take a late-round flier to see if he lives up to that hype in Week 1?
“I will say, between 88 and 87, there’s been a lot of positive things that make you feel good about the depth we could have in that (WR) room.”
Aaron Rodgers on Juwann Winfree and Romeo Doubs 👀 #Packers pic.twitter.com/g315p1HcjB
— packers clips (@packers_clips) August 9, 2022
12
Minnesota Vikings: QB Kirk Cousins
WHOA HOLD ON DON’T LEAVE! HEAR ME OUT.
On what planet is he a sleeper, you ask?
Well, did you know he’s finished 11th, 11th, 13th and 12th in the past four seasons among fantasy QBs per Fantasy Pros? That he has Justin Jefferson to throw to? That he only threw seven INTs last year? That Kevin O’Connell might want to throw more?
All I’m saying is: Don’t dismiss him. He’s going to be cheap at you draft.
13
Atlanta Falcons: WR Drake London
A rookie who could be the No. 2 target behind tight end Kyle Pitts. Atlanta may trail a lot, which could help with garbage time points.
14
Carolina Panthers: QB Baker Mayfield
This is for 2QB leagues — maybe he’s a decent QB2?
15
New Orleans Saints: WR Chris Olave
Am I going to list all the rookie WRs as sleepers? No, but I promise: He could be a really good WR2 behind Michael Thomas.
16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Rachaad White
Not a bad idea to draft a rookie RB who could catch a bunch of passes from Tom Brady. PPR leaguers, take note.
Sick move by Bucs rookie RB Rachaad White against Keanu Neal in 1 on 1s pic.twitter.com/jTNnPkunwv
— Evan Wanish (@EvanNFL) August 2, 2022
17
Buffalo Bills: RB James Cook
Devin Singletary is still the top back in Buffalo, but there’s some buzz about the rookie in training camp.
18
Miami Dolphins: RB Sony Michel
It’s a crowded RB room for the Fins, who have Michel, Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds.
So why not try a late-round pick on the vet who had good moments for the Rams last year?
19
New England Patriots: WR DeVante Parker
As long as the offense doesn’t continue to be a mess in training camp, it’s possible the former Dolphin is the WR1 for the Pats this year.
20
New York Jets: RB Michael Carter
Are we SO sure Breece Hall is the guy in the backfield, 100 percent?
21
Baltimore Ravens: WR Rashod Bateman
I think he qualifies as a sleeper if he’s going near WR30 in drafts. He’s the top guy in Baltimore! Even if the Ravens run a ton, there’s plenty of value there.
22
Cincinnati Bengals: RB Chris Evans
He could be their pass catcher out of the backfield when Joe Mixon isn’t on the field.
23
Cleveland Browns: RB D'Ernest Johnson
Kareem Hunt wants a new deal. What if his unhappiness leads to a trade? Then you’ve got an RB2 who could get decent volume.
24
Pittsburgh Steelers: WR George Pickens
I hear you: “Another rookie WR who’s a wideout, soooo original.”
But:
This duo cannot be stopped today!!!! George Pickens scores a touchdown on a pass from Mitch Trubisky #steelers pic.twitter.com/N82LRF0Axk
— smitty in the streets (@smittywerbin1) August 9, 2022
25
Houston Texans: RB Dameon Pierce
Sometimes, preseason hype is real.
26
Indianapolis Colts: WR Parris Campbell
I keep waiting for him to breakout. So maybe THIS is his year behind Michael Pittman?
27
Tennessee Titans: WR Robert Woods
Look, the Titans will have to throw the ball at some point, and what if Woods bounces back from a torn ACL last year?
Worth noting:
Treylon Burks is lining up wrong and running the wrong routes this summer after not being able to pass the conditioning test in the spring. Seems to be well behind Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ihkine and even fellow rookie Kyle Philips on the #Titans' WR depth chart. https://t.co/Pr8SrqvWzK
— nick mensio (@NickMensio) August 8, 2022
28
Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Evan Engram
Giants fans will roll their eyes at this one after he disappointed for Big Blue.
But maybe this is where he pushes hard for some redemption, and Trevor Lawrence could target him a bunch.
29
Las Vegas Raiders: QB Derek Carr
In the Kirk Cousins camp of sleeper here: What if adding Davante Adams makes his numbers explode? Worth finding out as your QB2.
30
Denver Broncos: RB Melvin Gordon III
Remember him? The guy who still looked pretty good in 2021 with 1,000-plus total yards and 10 scores? Yeah, you’re underdrafting him and overrating Javonte Williams. There’s so much value here.
31
Kansas City Chiefs: RB Ronald Jones II
Someone is going to emerge from the Chiefs’ crowded backfield this year. And maybe it’s the former Buc.
32
Los Angeles Chargers: RB Isaiah Spiller
There’s been enough preseason buzz that I’m buying in to get some work alongside Austin Ekeler.
