X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Four Deep Sleepers to Target in Fantasy Football Leagues

Photo by AP

RotoBaller looks at four deep sleepers for your fantasy football draft. These NFL players have the potential to return nice value in your 2014 fantasy football drafts

Let’s take a look at the some 2014 fantasy football deep sleepers that have the potential to return nice fantasy value this season. When planning your draft strategy, you should always consider sleepers and even the deep sleepers who will be available extremely late in drafts. These players (and one defense) can all be drafted in the last round basically, per their current ADPs, so they are good players to target for min-breakouts.

 

Editor's Note: be sure to click here for many, many more 2014 fantasy football sleepers and ADP draft values. Good luck with your football drafts RotoBallers.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Kenbrell Thompkins, WR - NE

Photo by APThe second-year wide receiver had an interesting rookie year going from breakout star to why I haven’t dropped him from my fantasy team yet? After his hot start, Thompkins only scored 13 total fantasy points after Week 7. He did show signs of being Tom Brady’s outside wide out, and there is a lot of chatter around Patriot’s camp that he will step into that role again this year.

He has been practicing against new CB Brandon Browner, who recently said that “KT has [moves] at the line of scrimmage that are unmatchable.”  About Thompkins' touchdown catch in game 2 of preason, Brady said "A great catch...I've got so much confidence in him and what he's been able to do, and continue to achieve for us. So hopefully there will be a lot more of those." That’s a pretty powerful statement in my mind.

Gronk (Rob Gronkowski) is back too, which means the defense will be occupied with that monster, opening the field for everyone else. Now, I am not saying Thompkins is the next Randy Moss, because make no doubt about it: if Gronk is healthy, the bulk of Brady’s TDs will be to him, but Thompkins could be a decent flex play down the stretch who could put up double-digit points on a weekly basis. I could see him having 600-to-900 yards and five-to-ten TDs this year if the Patriots return to form. I have seen Thompkins go undrafted in mocks, and he is ranked deep in the depths of fantasy garbage, so if you are trying to hit a home run late in your draft or are looking for an early-season waiver snag, the potential reward with Thompkins is well worth the risk.

 

Houston Texans, D/ST

Defenses are great sleepers, because you should only be picking them at the end of your drafts, and with how much defenses can change year to year (Chiefs, Saints in 2013, for example), you have the opportunity to make a nice buck on your defense pick.

The Texans had a pretty rough year last year, and t led to the number one pick and Jadeveon Clowney. He and JJ Watt are a QB’s worst nightmare; for some reason, though, the Texans are the 13th-ranked defense on ESPN, and even our own Bill Dubiel didn’t put them in his top 10. But at the end of season, don’t be surprised when they lead the league in sacks and rank in th top ten in team defense.

Houston has one of the easiest schedules I have ever seen, only playing six teams I would consider an offensive threat (two are against the Colts, and I can actually see Houston winning that matchup at home). New DC Romeo Crennel is a defensive master who will greatly improve their performance and could give Houston a good chance to win that division. Target them late and feel confident that they will reward you with great value in return.

 

Kenny Britt, WR - STL

Britt packed up his locker and headed to reunite with old coach Jeff Fisher as a member of the Rams. Britt had a horrible year in 2013 and his knees are a red flag for fantasy owners. But when healthy, Britt is a 40+ catch wide out with big-play potential.

He doesn’t have too much competition in a weak Rams receiving unit, and with Sam Bradford in a high-pressure year, Britt could be a home run if the Rams can keep their QB on his feet. I don’t think he will get anywhere close to the career year in which he scored nine TDs, but I can see him getting around 600 yards and five TDs if he can stay on the field. He plays in a touch division, but has a couple decent matchups on the schedule, and since you'll be drafting Britt at the tail end of the draft, he will be a nice filler for bye weeks.

 

C.J. Anderson, RB - DEN

C.J. is heading into his second season in the NFL and is slated to be the handcuff to Montee Ball in the powerful Broncos offense. Ball also had his fair share of fumbles last year, which could make for an opportunity for Anderson to step up. He has decent hands, and could find the flats to be his best friend. In his limited carries last year, he did manage over a 5.0-yard average per attempt.

Everyone has him ranked in the fantasy football cellar right now, which is where he should be, but C.J. could go over 500 yards if given the opportunity-- he could run into a couple of nice games, considering how the Broncos run their system and always lead in yards after the catch. He will be sitting there at the end of your draft and he might sit on your bench most weeks, but the chance for solid output is there if you have the patience to wait and see if he breaks out.  C.J. did suffer a concussion in the preseason game against the Seahawks, though, so make sure he is healthy.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

De'Von Achane

De’Von Achane Dealing With Lower-Body Injury
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Likely Avoids Serious Injury
Josh Hader

Unlikely to Return During Regular Season
Denny Hamlin

the Heavy Favorite to Win at Richmond
Christopher Bell

Has Been Great at Richmond
Kyle Stowers

Out Saturday With Left-Side Tightness
Tyrese Haliburton

No Longer Using a Scooter, Crutches
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Finally Break Through at Richmond?
Joey Logano

Will Start Last at Richmond After Practice Trouble
Chase Elliott

Lack of Top-Line Speed Hurts his DFS Potential
Kyle Larson

Recent String of Crashes Make Him a Big Risk at Richmond
William Byron

Probably Slightly Too Inconsistent at Richmond to Start for DFS
Ryan Preece

on Pole at Richmond as Playoff Deadline Looms Closer
Brad Keselowski

Probably the Best RFK Racing DFS Option at Richmond
Chase Briscoe

Still Figuring Out Richmond
Chris Buescher

a Solid Choice for DFS Play, but Teammates Look Faster
Ty Gibbs

is Mediocre at a Track Where his Grandfather's Team Won 19 Times
Ross Chastain

Despite Qualifying 33rd, Ross Chastain Not As Strong a DFS Option As Usual
Carson Hocevar

Will Carson Hocevar's Speed Overcome His Lack of Racecraft?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Not Enough Attrition at Richmond for Shane Van Gisbergen to Be Viable
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Looking for Another Solid Richmond Race
Austin Cindric

After Strong Iowa Run, Austin Cindric Might Surprise
Corey Heim

Probably Too Inexperienced to Contend at Richmond
Daniel Suarez

Won't Benefit From the Same Strategy Play This Year
Erik Jones

Was Slow at Richmond Even When He Had Fast Cars
Zane Smith

Not a Great DFS Option on Paper, but Typically Outperforms His Expectations
Jhoan Duran

Feels "100%"
Marcus Semien

Out on Saturday, Going for X-Rays on his Wrist
George Springer

Activated and Starting on Saturday
Dylan Beavers

Called Up by Orioles
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Activate Terry McLaurin From PUP List
Jhoan Duran

Takes Comebacker Off Foot, X-Rays Negative
Rashee Rice

NFL Could Reach Settlement Before Hearing
Matt Chapman

Goes to Injured List
George Springer

Likely Returning on Saturday
Max Muncy

Lands on 10-Day Injured List
Joe Mixon

Not a Lock to be Ready For Week 1
Rashee Rice

Receives Clearance to Travel to Brazil for Week 1
Haywood Highsmith

Dealt to Brooklyn on Friday
Amir Coffey

Signs One-Year Deal With Bucks
Jacob Misiorowski

Activated and Starting on Friday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Back From the Injured List
Khamzat Chimaev

A Favorite At UFC 319
Dricus Du Plessis

Set For His Third Title Defense
Aaron Pico

Set For UFC Debut
Lerone Murphy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Chase Burns

Hits 15-Day Injured List With Flexor Strain
Geoff Neal

Looks For His Second Win In A Row
Travis Hunter

Dealing With Upper-Body Injury, Could be Held Out of Preseason Game
Michael Page

Set For His Second Middleweight Bout
Jared Cannonier

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kai Asakura

Looks For His First UFC Win
Tim Elliott

Set To Open Up UFC 309 Main Card
CBJ

Mikael Pyyhtia Re-Signs With Blue Jackets for One Year
UTA

Caleb Desnoyers Expected to Miss 12 Weeks After Wrist Procedure
Tyson Foerster

on Track to Be Healthy for Season Opener
NHL

Olivier Rodrigue Signs KHL Deal
NHL

Emil Bemstrom to Join Swiss Team
Payton Pritchard

Reportedly Moving Into Starting Lineup
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Expected to Return Friday
Michael King

Heading to 15-Day Injured List
Aaron Nola

to Return on Sunday
Quinshon Judkins

Won't Face Formal Charges
Sam LaPorta

To "Miss a Little Bit of Time"
Rashee Rice

Disciplinary Hearing Scheduled For Late September
Chris Godwin

Likely to Start the Season on PUP List?
Kevin Durant

Rockets Not Interested in Keeping Kevin Durant with Max Extension
Paul Goldschmidt

Could Land on the Injured List
NBA

Isaiah Mobley Joins Turkish Team
NBA

Cole Swider Links Up with EuroLeague Powerhouse
Ethan Thompson

Joins Heat for Training Camp
Los Angeles Clippers

Clippers Add Jason Preston for Training Camp
Stefon Diggs

Unsure About Availability for Week 1
Jakob Marsee

Homers Twice in Seven-RBI Night
Owen Caissie

Cubs Promoting Owen Caissie to Majors
Miguel Amaya

Going on 10-Day Injured List With Sprained Ankle
Max Muncy

Scratched With Side Soreness on Wednesday
Justin Jefferson

Won't Practice This Week, Will be Re-Evaluated Next Week
Akshay Bhatia

a High-Upside Play at BMW Championship
Robert MacIntyre

a Safe Play at BMW Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im a Risky Play at BMW Championship
Xander Schauffele

Chases Big Week at BMW Championship
Shane Lowry

Aims to Rebound at BMW Championship
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Build Momentum at BMW Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Looking to Rebound at BMW Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Eyeing Another BMW Championship Victory
Neemias Queta

Wants to Raise His Free-Throw Attempts
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Stuggling to Trade Anfernee Simons
James Cook

Bills Agree on Four-Year Extension
Cole Anthony

Focuses on Winning with Bucks
NBA

Jesse Edwards Moves to Australia
Kessler Edwards

Joins Nuggets
Bradley Beal

Feeling Rejuvenated in Los Angeles
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Looking "Incredible"
PIT

Chad Ruhwedel Retires From NHL
MIN

Jack Johnson Signs Tryout Deal with Wild
Ryker Evans

Kraken Extend Ryker Evans with Two-Year Deal
Rondale Moore

Out for the Season With Knee Injury
Christian Watson

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List
Jordan Love

Undergoes Procedure on Left Thumb
Bud Cauley

Needs a Big Result in Maryland
Harris English

Confident for BMW Championship
Jason Day

Faces Uphill Battle at BMW Championship
Cameron Young

Hot at the Right Time
J.J. Spaun

Rolls in After Near Miss in Memphis
Brian Harman

is a Longer Shot Heading to Maryland
Corey Conners

Appears Safe This Week in Maryland
Daniel Berger

Must Play Better at BMW Championship
Miami Heat

Kai Jones Works Out for Heat
Sacramento Kings

Russell Westbrook Likely to Join Kings
Golden State Warriors

Al Horford Expected to Sign with Warriors if He Doesn't Retire
Jonathan Kuminga

Reportedly Leaning Toward Accepting Golden State's Qualifying Offer
Sepp Straka

Withdraws From BMW Championship
Maverick McNealy

Finishes Tied for 28th at FedEx St. Jude Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Third at FedEx St. Jude Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied For 22nd at FedEx St. Jude Championship
Rory McIlroy

Finishes Tied For Seventh at Open Championship
Brandon Aiyuk

Could Return in Week 6
Anthony Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak To Eight
Roman Dolidze

Submitted At UFC Vegas 109
Ode' Osbourne

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 109
Steve Erceg

Gets Back In The Win Column
Angela Hill

Outclassed At UFC Vegas 109
Angela Hill

Iasmin Lucindo Dominates Angela Hill
Christian Rodriguez

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Andre Fili

Gets Back in the Win Column
Miles Johns

Drops Split Decision At UFC Vegas 109
Miles Johns

Jean Matsumoto Edges Out Miles Johns To Win Split Decision
Eryk Anders

Suffers First-Round TKO
Christian Leroy Duncan

Scores First-Round TKO Win
Alexander Mattison

Will Miss Entire Season With Neck Injury
Zayne Parekh

Has Sights Set on Making Flames Roster
Hampus Lindholm

Fully Healthy for New Season
NHL

Nathan Bastian Joins Stars on One-Year Contract

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP