The WR position is always full of breakout candidates, talented rookies, players changing teams, and of course contract year players. We highlight several players that we feel are undervalued based on their average draft position or overall rankings. Check here for 613u.com's Sleeper WR's and find out who to take and when to take them. Sleepers are listed in order of overall rank. The deeper the sleeper the lower he is on the list.
Thompkins has made his name known with a solid preseason. Larry Fitzgerald - Cardinals - Its hard to feel overly confident about Larry after last years pedestrian performance. The bright side is that it can only get better for Larry and the Cards offense. They've added Bruce Arians as HC, Carson Palmer at QB, Rashard Mendenhall at RB, a few pieces on the OL, and the Defense is going to be improved. Arians made Reggie Wayne one of the leagues most targeted receivers last season with the Colts and you can expect the same this year with Fitzgerald. Fitz is too good of a pro not to have a bounce back season - look for the Cards to air it out with more success this season making Larry a borderline WR1. Draft him in the mid-late 3rd round and be rewarded when he returns to be a top 5 WR. Expect: 1,300 yards, 11 TDs.
Hakeem Nicks - Giants - Nicks is getting drafted much lower than Fitzgerald in most leagues however he could be just as productive. Looking at his numbers, when he plays, Nicks puts up WR1 numbers. The key to his success hinges on his health. Since he carries such an injury concern many owners want to stay away and in most cases they would be right. This season is different. Nicks is in his contract year, the Giants just missed the playoffs last season, and Reuben Randle (a deep sleeper of his own), is nipping at his heels. This is the make or break year for Nicks and with Eli Manning throwing him the ball, plus the money on the table, we say he makes it. Look for Nicks in the late 4th round. Expect 1,100 yards and 12 TDs.
DeSean Jackson - Eagles - My boy D.Jax! Perhaps its biased but we are all-in on DeSean this season. With a new offense focused around speed, and with Maclin out for season, you have to assume D.Jax will be the main target of the Eagles passing attack. Philly has plenty to prove this season. New HC Chip Kelly wants to showcase his innovative offense, Mike Vick looks to bounce back from a very disappointing season, and Mr. Jackson wants to return to being one of the best playmakers in the game. Target DeSean as your low end WR3 or high end WR4 as he falls to the ____ in most drafts. Expect: Action Jackson to put up multiple 100+ yard games with many long distance touchdowns. 1,250 yards and 8 TDs.
Golden Tate - Seahawks - The man that made the catch that never should've happened. Tate's luck has been "Golden" so far in his short career. Aside from the game winning TD catch that should have been an interception Tate has been quite fortunate. With Russ Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and one of the leagues most talented defenses, Mr. Tate finds himself with an opportunity to be a key player on a Super Bowl Contender. With Percy Harvin out for the forseeable future Tate will be asked to set up for much of what Harvin was supposed to do. Tate fits the bill as a breakout candidate better than anyone else in fantasy football this season. He is a WR entering his 3rd year, he plays with a good QB, his targets will be increased, and did we mention its contract time! Yes there will be money on the table for Mr. Tate this season and we are taking Golden right to the bank. Tate is sneaking up most drafts but can still be had as your WR3. Expect: Tate to go over 1,000 yards and score 8 TDs
Kenbrell Thompkins - Patriots - Over the last couple weeks Thompkins has surpassed Aaron Dobson as the Pats top rookie WR. Solid route running, run after the catch ability, and reliable hands helped him earn the trust of Brady in the preseason. This should pay off for fantasy owners who score him late in the draft as one of their bench WRs. Currently being drafted as a WR4/WR5 Kembrell could be putting up consistent enough numbers to be a weekly starter for your fantasy team. Aside from injury prone Amendola - Thompkins is probably the Patriots number two option in the passing game until Gronk returns. Expect: Thompkins to approach 1,000 yards and catch 6-8 TDs.
Vincent Brown - Chargers -With all the injuries happening to the Chargers lately (Malcolm Floyd lost for the season, Keenan Allen's knee, Antonio Gates' toe/ankle/fingernail, Ryan Matthews toothache/mosquito bite) there needs to be someone healthy enough to catch some passes for San Diego right? Right! His name is Vincent Brown. Prior to last season Brown was the Chargers best WR heading into week 1. He suffered an ankle injury which cost him to miss half the season and he never returned to game shape after that. This season Brown is back on track to be the #1 option in the passing game - and with the Chargers expected to struggle Vincent could see a lot of targets this season. It's hard to get excited about anyone on the Chargers this season however the teams struggles may actually contribute to Browns success. Brown seems to fall right behind Tate and Thompkins, and right before Alshon Jeffery & Reuben Randle, in most drafts. We suggest you take advantage and draft a #1 WR in an offenses expected to throw often. Great value as your WR4 or WR5. Expect: 1,000 yards and 6 TDs.
Hakeem Nicks - Giants - Nicks is getting drafted much lower than Fitzgerald in most leagues however he could be just as productive. Looking at his numbers, when he plays, Nicks puts up WR1 numbers. The key to his success hinges on his health. Since he carries such an injury concern many owners want to stay away and in most cases they would be right. This season is different. Nicks is in his contract year, the Giants just missed the playoffs last season, and Reuben Randle (a deep sleeper of his own), is nipping at his heels. This is the make or break year for Nicks and with Eli Manning throwing him the ball, plus the money on the table, we say he makes it. Look for Nicks in the late 4th round. Expect 1,100 yards and 12 TDs.
DeSean Jackson - Eagles - My boy D.Jax! Perhaps its biased but we are all-in on DeSean this season. With a new offense focused around speed, and with Maclin out for season, you have to assume D.Jax will be the main target of the Eagles passing attack. Philly has plenty to prove this season. New HC Chip Kelly wants to showcase his innovative offense, Mike Vick looks to bounce back from a very disappointing season, and Mr. Jackson wants to return to being one of the best playmakers in the game. Target DeSean as your low end WR3 or high end WR4 as he falls to the ____ in most drafts. Expect: Action Jackson to put up multiple 100+ yard games with many long distance touchdowns. 1,250 yards and 8 TDs.
Golden Tate - Seahawks - The man that made the catch that never should've happened. Tate's luck has been "Golden" so far in his short career. Aside from the game winning TD catch that should have been an interception Tate has been quite fortunate. With Russ Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and one of the leagues most talented defenses, Mr. Tate finds himself with an opportunity to be a key player on a Super Bowl Contender. With Percy Harvin out for the forseeable future Tate will be asked to set up for much of what Harvin was supposed to do. Tate fits the bill as a breakout candidate better than anyone else in fantasy football this season. He is a WR entering his 3rd year, he plays with a good QB, his targets will be increased, and did we mention its contract time! Yes there will be money on the table for Mr. Tate this season and we are taking Golden right to the bank. Tate is sneaking up most drafts but can still be had as your WR3. Expect: Tate to go over 1,000 yards and score 8 TDs
Kenbrell Thompkins - Patriots - Over the last couple weeks Thompkins has surpassed Aaron Dobson as the Pats top rookie WR. Solid route running, run after the catch ability, and reliable hands helped him earn the trust of Brady in the preseason. This should pay off for fantasy owners who score him late in the draft as one of their bench WRs. Currently being drafted as a WR4/WR5 Kembrell could be putting up consistent enough numbers to be a weekly starter for your fantasy team. Aside from injury prone Amendola - Thompkins is probably the Patriots number two option in the passing game until Gronk returns. Expect: Thompkins to approach 1,000 yards and catch 6-8 TDs.
Vincent Brown - Chargers -With all the injuries happening to the Chargers lately (Malcolm Floyd lost for the season, Keenan Allen's knee, Antonio Gates' toe/ankle/fingernail, Ryan Matthews toothache/mosquito bite) there needs to be someone healthy enough to catch some passes for San Diego right? Right! His name is Vincent Brown. Prior to last season Brown was the Chargers best WR heading into week 1. He suffered an ankle injury which cost him to miss half the season and he never returned to game shape after that. This season Brown is back on track to be the #1 option in the passing game - and with the Chargers expected to struggle Vincent could see a lot of targets this season. It's hard to get excited about anyone on the Chargers this season however the teams struggles may actually contribute to Browns success. Brown seems to fall right behind Tate and Thompkins, and right before Alshon Jeffery & Reuben Randle, in most drafts. We suggest you take advantage and draft a #1 WR in an offenses expected to throw often. Great value as your WR4 or WR5. Expect: 1,000 yards and 6 TDs.
