SI Fantasy’s staff predictions were originally published before training camps began. Our crew knows what they’re talking about, but let’s face it: A lot has changed around the NFL – and in fantasy football -- since early July. For that reason, we revisited our staff picks for top sleeper, rookie and bust. We gave our experts the option to change one of their pre-preseason picks.
Michael Fabiano
Top Sleeper: Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers
Top Rookie: Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
Top Bust: Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
No changes
The Buccaneers didn't add any serious competition for touches in their backfield, which tells me they're feeling pretty good about White as their lead man. Robinson is going to be everyone's top breakout candidate, so I'm going "chalk" with the Falcons rookie runner. I'm not opposed to drafting Kamara as a low RB2 or flex starter, but he's no longer a top-end talent at the position. If you're expecting the superstar from seasons past, you're going to be disappointed.
Jennifer Piacenti
Top Sleeper: Treylon Burks, WR, Titans
Top Rookie: Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
Top Bust: Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
Rob Schumacher/USA Today Sports Network
New Top Sleeper: Michael Wilson, WR, Cardinals
Do I still like Treylon Burks? Yes, absolutely. But the signing of DeAndre Hopkins in Tennessee takes him out of the category of “top” sleeper for me now. Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims are among my current favorites, but don’t forget about rookie Michael Wilson who you can likely get in the very last round of your fantasy draft. Wilson, who has been lining up on the outside in both two and three wide receiver sets for the Cardinals in preseason, has the size and speed that could play well in the NFL. Rondale Moore has been lining up exclusively in the slot so far, and Wilson could be a sneaky steal late that has yet to appear on your opponents’ radar.
Kyle Wood
Top Sleeper: Aaron Jones, RB, Packers
Top Rookie: Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
Top Bust: Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers
New Top Sleeper: Romeo Doubs, WR, Packers
I was admittedly cheating a bit when I dubbed Jones my sleeper, though I'm still very high on him! His ADP is now up to the top of the fourth round, so I'm pivoting to his teammate, sophomore receiver Romeo Doubs. I recently made the case for Doubs as a late-round sleeper who's sure to outperform his average draft position. He and quarterback Jordan Love demonstrated a connection in the preseason and Doubs has a shot to lead the Packers in receiving this season. That kind of upside is certainly worth a 14th-round pick.
Bill Enright
Top Sleeper: Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs
Top Rookie: Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts
Top Bust: Miles Sanders, RB, Panthers
New Top Rookie: Marvin Mims, Broncos
While I still believe in Richardson as a great “wait on your QB” selection, I’ve been increasing my shares of Mims ever since Jerry Jeudy went down with a hamstring injury. The Broncos traded up in the draft to get the playmaker out of Oklahoma, a testament to how much Sean Payton admires his skillset. Mims put on an excellent showing during the preseason and is slated to start while Jeudy is out for a few more weeks. If he establishes himself as a reliable target for Russell Wilson early on, it will be hard to neglect getting him targets even when Jeudy returns.
Gilberto Manzano
Top Sleeper: Christian Watson, WR, Packers
Top Rookie: Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
Top Bust: Najee Harris, RB, Steelers
New Top Bust: Travis Etienne, RB, Jaguars
So, Kenny Pickett’s improvements as a downfield passer—I did not see that coming this preseason–made me change my tune on Harris, who should see less defenders in the box if the Steelers’ passing game continues to flourish in the regular season. But it pains me to label Etienne as a fantasy football “bust,” because he’s a top 10 running back, in my opinion. After Tank Bigsby’s stellar preseason, it’s clear now that Etienne will be stuck in a backfield committee, and that’s not a position you want for your third-round pick. (Etienne is currently ranked No. 32 on SI’s fantasy football player rankings.) Also, it’s unclear who will be the goal-line back for the Jaguars—my money is on the player named Tank. This is not to say that you should completely avoid Etienne. He still has plenty of value, especially in the passing game. Etienne might be a better option after the third round.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY Sports
Matt Verderame
Top Sleeper: Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders
Top Rookie: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
Top Bust: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Ravens
New Top Sleeper: Christian Watson, WR, Packers
The alteration is because after watching Watson both in OTAs and training camp, it's obvious he's about to make a leap, even with the changeover from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love. In an offense stuffed with first- and second-year pass-catchers, Watson will need to step up, and I expect him to be the most-targeted receiver in Green Bay by a wide margin.
Craig Ellenport
Top Sleeper: Skyy Moore, WR, Chiefs
Top Rookie: Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions
Top Bust: Justin Fields, QB, Bears
No changes
Skyy Moore has been slowly climbing the draft boards, so part of me thinks I need to pick a new sleeper. Upon further review, that’s not the case. True, Moore has risen from WR56 in the spring to WR44 in August, but consider this: Moore is taking over the slot for the Chiefs offense, a spot in which JuJu Smith-Schuster caught 78 passes for 933 yards and three scores last season. That was good enough for a WR 27 finish. I’m confident Moore will put up even better numbers, but even just matching Smith-Schuster’s production would mean there are more than a dozen receivers being drafted ahead of Moore who shouldn’t be.
