When I started this list, one of the first names that popped in my head was Jalen Hurts. The reason is because of how much his ability to throw the football has been dissected and picked apart. I wasn’t sure how much that infiltrated the thinking of fantasy managers and wanted to make clear that it shouldn’t.
But the reality is, Hurts finished ninth at his position in total fantasy points last season and sixth in average points. He simply shouldn’t be considered a sleeper.
A true sleeper is a player managers won’t likely consider for their teams because they haven’t yet posted big fantasy stats, but someone who might be on the verge of a breakout due to new circumstances. Let’s take a look at who those players might be in 2022.
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Carr has been a top-10 fantasy quarterback just once in his career, and that was all the way back in 2016. He’ll have a chance to end the drought this year with maybe his best group of playmakers. If it doesn’t happen with Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow and Josh Jacobs on his side, it probably won’t happen.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Jones has been running for his life behind bad lines for the majority of his short career, but he’s shown an ability to make plays when given time. Adding Evan Neal in the draft could solidify the Giants’ offensive line, and if Jones can improve half as much as Josh Allen under Brian Daboll, he can begin to turn his career around.
Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Lance has all the physical tools to be a great quarterback, it’s just a matter of getting him actual game reps and allowing time for him to catch up to the speed of the NFL. What he’ll be able to do right away is make things happen with his legs, and that’s always valuable at the quarterback position in fantasy football. Once the arm catches up, look out.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence’s rookie season fell well short of what many expected of the 2021 No. 1 pick, but the mess sowed by former Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer can’t be understated in that. Lawrence has a chance to change the narrative under a Super Bowl-winning head coach, Doug Pederson, and I think he begins to do that this year.
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
Let’s not forget that before a season-ending injury, Winston had a 14-to-3 touchdown-interception ratio, and that was without many weapons on offense. Now, the Saints are kind of loaded. They added Jarvis Landry in free agency, drafted Chris Olave and expect Michael Thomas back. Add Alvin Kamara to that, and Winston has a ton at his disposal.
