Top Wide Receiver Sleepers
Johnny Knox – Johnny Knox is set to break out in the Mike Martz-Jay Cutler offense. An elite vertical threat because of his blazing wheels, he is the only receiver in Chicago to be named a starter and it is with good reason. Mike Martz envisions Knox as being the most successful in his offense and has anointed him a starter this early because of it. Don’t sleep on Knox in your fantasy draft, he has WR2 upside but is more suited as a spectacular WR3 option.
Eddie Royal – Josh McDaniels has finally acknowledged that Eddie Royal is best employed in the slot and that has to be music to his fantasy owners ears. He will likely be handed the Wes Welker role many assumed he would take on last season and revitalize with fantasy value. Eddie Royal has tremendous upside especially at his current ADP. Draft with confidence as a WR3 or flex play.
Hakeem Nicks – Despite being the most talented receiver on his team and also the best play-maker Nicks is going behind possession receiver Steve Smith. Smith may be a better bet in PPR leagues, but Nicks is the red-zone target and the play-maker and is the Giants receiver that you want to target on draft day. Draft with confidence as an WR3 option.
Laurent Robinson – Robinson was having a breakout campaign last season before injury cut it short. With Sam Bradford now in town and destined to take over the starting job, Laurent Robinson and the other two receivers on this roster should all see significant fantasy upgrades. Robinson is the most suited of the Rams top-3 receivers to be a #1 and will likely hold onto that role all season with Avery as the #2 and Gilyard taking over the #3 role. Robinson should be a WR3.
Mohamed Massaquoi – Ok, so we cannot say that the QB situation in Cleveland has improved much but Massaquoi would probably have to try to have a worse season than his rookie campaign. Massaquoi is currently firmly entrenched as the teams #1 receiver and expect him to post flex worthy numbers this season with the potential for low-end WR3 value. Draft accordingly.
Mike Williams – A name to pay attention to in 12-team leagues Mike Williams will likely be one of two rookies to claim a starting wide receiver job in Tampa Bay. Williams is someone to target late in your fantasy draft as a flex play with upside. Williams may emerge as a WR3 and should lead all Tampa Bay receivers in TD’s.
Wes Welker – Who thought we would see the day when Wes Welker was considered a sleeper, well uncertainty with his injury has dropped his ADP to the 113 range and he is looking like he will be quite the value pick regardless if he starts the season with the Patriots or not. When healthy he is arguably a top-10 fantasy receiver, stash him on your bench until he plays.
Kenny Britt – Kenny Britt is the most talented receiver on the Titans roster and has been since he was drafted. Vince Young likes his young receiver and they have developed quite the game-day chemistry, he came to OTA’s out of shape and will once again have to beat out Nate Washington and Justin Gage but with his talent that should not be much of a problem. Britt is the only #1 caliber receiver on this roster and expect him to lead the Titans in TD’s and yards. He is a solid flex option.
Devin Thomas – Hailed as the most talented receiver in his draft class Devin Thomas has yet to show his potential on any sort of consistent basis. Now with a serious quarterback upgrade with Donovan McNabb Devin Thomas is poised to break out. Thomas is more of a name to focus on in 12-team leagues but he is also a worthy flex option in the latter portions of your 10-team draft as well.
Golden Tate – Golden Tate is unarguably one of the two most talented receivers on the Seahawks roster but still faces an uphill battle in the competition for snaps. He will have to work his way onto the field and may not make a solid and consistent impact until mid-season but Tate is too talented for the Seahawks to hold back for too long. Draft Tate as a bye-week filler with flex upside.
Chaz Schilens – Schilens is said to be the reason the Raiders passed on Crabtree. The brass feels he offers a similar skill set and fanalysts the world over seem to agree somewhat. Pegged as a sleeper last year, injuries and quarterback ineptness kept him from truly breaking out. Jason Campbell is to the rescue so expect Schilens to play the role of possession receiver and accrue solid flex value.
Darrius Heyward-Bey – By all accounts Darrius Heyward-Bey looks like a new receiver in OTA’s and that is likely because he has a new, more accurate quarterback at the helm, but also has something to do with the off-season dedication DHB showed. DHB is determined to prove he is not a bust and that he did in fact deserve to be drafted before the much more hyped Michael Crabtree. DHB is a sleeper that warrants flex consideration, he is an interesting roster stash because of his extremely high upside if he can put it all together.
James Jones – With Drivers health and ability to hold up for another entire season in serious question Jones will be the one to step up for the Packers if called upon. He has already flashed the ability to be a major fantasy impact the only thing holding him back now is the aforementioned Driver. He is worth a speculative roster add for now and can emerge with WR3 value by mid-season depending on what transpires with Driver. If Driver make it through the season Jones is nothing more than a high upside bye-week filler.
Brandon LaFell – LaFell is the rookie drafted to take over the #2 wide receiver slot in Carolina and expect him to do by week 4. LaFell will benefit greatly from the attention Steve Smith will garner and may prove to be a roster worthy flex option by week 4 or 5. Add to your watch list in 10-teamers and add him to your roster in 12-team and higher leagues.
Jabar Gaffney – Gaffney may shock many and end the season as the Broncos most productive receiver. He is still a solid value based on his ADP and may emerge with WR3 value though is better suited for a flex role on your roster. He is a high upside pick but he also possess a very low floor due to the Broncos other receiver superior skills and the overall depth of the receiver corps.
