👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Early 2018 Dynasty Sleepers - Wide Receiver

The NFL season may have just ended with Philadelphia Eagles fans shaking their fists and waving their cheesesteaks in the air in triumph, but smart fantasy players have already begun planning for 2018 and beyond.

The pass-first NFL is never short on receivers for fantasy owners. Finding the right receivers at the right prices or in the right rounds that you can keep on your fantasy roster for several seasons is one way to set up your dynasty squad for short and long-term success.

Here are some early 2018 dynasty league sleepers at the wide receiver position.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Early WR Dynasty Sleepers for 2018

Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

Williams was never able to get out of his own body’s way during his rookie campaign this past year. A herniated disc suffered during offseason camp knocked him behind the eight ball early and by the time he returned midseason, there were 100 other receivers quarterback Philip Rivers could throw to. Williams ended his rookie season with just 11 receptions for 95 yards --- something you can get from Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown on a weekly basis.

While the Chargers are loaded with pass catchers, Williams could leap up the target chart quicker than you might think. Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates is no lock to return, and top target Keenan Allen is no lock to stay healthy. No. 2 and 3 receivers Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin are decent, but Williams could and should overtake them in the target department if he stays injury-free and has a great camp during the preseason.

Williams was drafted in the first round for a reason. He has (when healthy) more tools than Home Depot and Lowe’s combined. Size, strength, speed, and the ability to catch touchdown tosses over and around defenders who are all over him. Don’t assume Williams is going to be another injury-prone disappointment like Washington’s Josh Doctson. Do not sleep on this sleeper. If you snooze, you will lose out on a possible 1,000-yard year from him in 2018 and each of the next several seasons.

 

Keelan Cole, Jacksonville Jaguars

After finishing the regular season on the highest of high notes with 23 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns over his final five games, Cole vanished in the postseason. He only managed three catches for 82 yards in three playoff games and was no help at all to Blake Bortles and the Jaguars passing attack.

So was Cole a one-month wonder who fizzled when better defenses started paying more attention to him, or is he the real deal? Is his late-season production a precursor to future success? I tend to lean towards the latter.

Jacksonville will undoubtedly revamp its receiving corps this offseason. Veterans Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee may not be long for Jacksonville’s roster. Meanwhile, No. 1 receiver Allen Robinson is a free agent coming off a torn ACL. Even if Robinson is re-signed, Cole would probably be the No. 2 WR after Lee and Hurns take their talents elsewhere.

Do not sleep on Cole just because he disappeared in the playoffs. He will have no trouble moving up the depth chart during training camp unless the Jags shock everybody and draft a couple receivers and sign Robinson and another veteran. Cole and his game-breaking ability could be good for 65 receptions and 1,000 yards -- especially if Blake Bortles improves or the Jaguars bring in a better QB. Cole's fantasy needle is headed upward this year and beyond.

 

Kelvin Benjamin, Buffalo Bills

It was shocking when the Carolina Panthers blamed Benjamin for their passing attack problems and traded him midseason to Buffalo for draft picks. Maybe the Panthers were right, though. Benjamin was a shell of himself after joining the Bills and did nothing that would make you think he was a former 1,000-yard receiver. He only managed 16 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown in a half-dozen games with Buffalo and was probably dropped in most fantasy leagues before season’s end.

The way things are going, Benjamin will likely have another quarterback throwing to him in 2018, and that can only mean his lowly end-of-2017 fantasy value will skyrocket. Tyrod Taylor helps receivers about as much as dollar-store aspirin helps headaches. It would be a gigantic surprise to see Taylor back at the helm of Buffalo’s offense next season, and if he is replaced by any quarterback with average or above-average passing ability, that should be a boon for Benjamin.

Benjamin needs to be 100 percent before fantasy owners can honestly think that he is done as a fantasy factor. He played with a bum knee almost all of last season and it showed as he could not separate from cornerbacks and did show off his highlight-worthy leaping ability down in the red zone. A healthy knee and a new quarterback is all Benjamin needs to bounce back and break the 1,000-yard barrier again in 2018.

 

More 2018 Dynasty League Strategy




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Dylan Harper

is Ready for Sunday's Game
Grayson Allen

is Questionable for Sunday's Game
Mark Williams

is Questionable for Game 1 on Sunday
Reed Sheppard

Moves into Starting Five on Saturday
Kevin Durant

is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Saturday
Stuart Skinner

Starting Game 1 Against Flyers
Alexandre Carrier

Back at Practice
Jared McCann

Undergoes Lower-Body Procedure
Andrei Kuzmenko

Activated From Injured Reserve
Victor Hedman

Out for Game 1 on Sunday
William Karlsson

Unavailable for Start of First-Round Series
Quinn Hughes

Available Saturday
Miro Heiskanen

Cleared for Game 1
Jonathon Brooks

Buy Window is Still Open for Jonathon Brooks
NFL

Skyler Bell Projects More as an NFL Contributor Than Fantasy Difference-Maker
NFL

Can Chris Brazzell II Find More NFL Success Than Past Tennessee Receivers?
Quinshon Judkins

Brings High Floor but Low Ceiling into Second Season
George Kittle

Has Become a High-Risk Bargain
NFL

Eric McAlister's Dynasty Value in Question Coming Off Pre-Draft Injury
Jhoan Duran

Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Brian Thomas Jr.

Can Brian Thomas Jr. Rebound After Down Year in 2025?
Patrick Mahomes

Dynasty Value in Question After Injury?
Tre' Harris

Offers Buy-Low Upside for Dynasty Managers
Braelon Allen

Still Offers Dynasty Upside Despite Lost Season in 2025
Kyle Stowers

Will be Activated on Sunday
Aaron Rodgers

Remains a Free Agent Ahead of the NFL Draft
Josh Allen

Healthy and Armed with New Top Receiver
Kyler Murray

a Zero-Risk Dynasty Target?
Rachaad White

Is Rachaad White an Offseason Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Jesper Wallstedt

to Start in Goal for Minnesota on Saturday
Stefon Diggs

Still a Free Agent Ahead of the NFL Draft
Trey Benson

Stuck in a Crowded Backfield
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Year 2 Value Tied to Pick No. 7 in the NFL Draft
Sean Tucker

Dynasty Value Still Comes Primarily as an Injury Replacement
Jake Tonges

a Capable Fill-in for as Long as He Needs to Be
NFL

Ja'Kobi Lane Could Need Time to Develop for Fantasy Managers
Chig Okonkwo

Could Still Be Undervalued Despite Calls for a Breakout
LaMelo Ball

Scores 23 Points in Season-Ending Loss
Jordan Goodwin

Fills Stat Sheet in Play-In Win
Paolo Banchero

Powers Magic Into Playoffs
Jalen Green

Drops 36 Points to Clinch Playoff Spot
Amen Thompson

Off Injury Report for Playoff Opener
Jabari Smith Jr.

Cleared After Resting in Season Finale
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Cleared for Game 1 Against Lakers
Logan Stankoven

Presumed Ready for Game 1
Max Muncy

has Another Multi-Homer Game at Coors Field
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Expected to Make Season Debut on Saturday
Austin Riley

Hits Two Home Runs in Shutout Win Over Phillies
Daulton Varsho

Removed Early on Friday With Knee Discomfort
Aaron Gordon

Available for Game 1 Against Timberwolves
Julius Randle

Cleared for Playoffs
Jaxson Hayes

Available Saturday Night
Grayson Allen

Will Play Against Warriors
Kristaps Porzingis

Cleared for Friday's Game
Kevin Durant

Iffy for Saturday's Game 1
Mark Williams

Won't Play Friday Night
Spencer Jones

is Questionable for Game 1 on Saturday
Peyton Watson

is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Saturday
Edwin Uceta

Having More Shoulder Issues, "Shut Down for a Few Days"
Josh Hader

Moved to 60-Day Injured List
Willson Contreras

Returns to Red Sox Lineup on Friday
Daniel Palencia

Goes on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Juan Soto

Still on Track to Return Next Week
Los Angeles Angels

Garret Anderson Dies at 53 Years Old
Mike Malott

A Favorite At UFC Winnipeg
Gilbert Burns

Set For UFC Winnipeg Main Event
Kyler Phillips

Set UFC Winnipeg Co-Main Event
Charles Jourdain

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Jai Herbert

An Underdog At UFC Winnipeg
Mandel Nallo

Set For His UFC Debut
Karine Silva

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Jasmine Jasudavicius

Looks To Bounce Back
Robert Thomas

Wraps Up Season With a Hat Trick
Macklin Celebrini

Establishes Sharks' New Scoring Record
Scott Wedgewood

Keeps Kraken From Scoring Thursday
Nathan MacKinnon

Wins Rocket Richard Trophy With 53 Goals
Connor McDavid

Secures Sixth Art Ross Trophy With Four-Assist Performance
Connor Dewar

Ready for Game 1
Nikita Grebenkin

Unavailable at Start of Playoffs
Parker Messick

Flirts With No-Hitter in Latest Gem Against Orioles
Mike Trout

Hits Five Homers in Series Versus Yankees
CGY

Arsenii Sergeev to Make NHL Debut Thursday
Aleksander Barkov

Cleared for World Championship
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Dealing With Fractured Hand
Zach Whitecloud

Ready to Rock Thursday
Spencer Arrighetti

Fans 10 in Season Debut, to Remain a Focal Point in Rotation?
Nick Pivetta

Dealing With Flexor Strain, Could Miss Months
Nico Hoerner

Homers, Drive in Five in Win Over Phillies
Shota Imanaga

Strikes Out 11 in First Win of the Season
Sal Stewart

Continues to Hit, Goes Deep Twice on Wednesday
Shohei Ohtani

Strikes Out 10 in Win Over Mets
Shohei Ohtani

Will Pitch on Wednesday, But Won't DH
CFB

Michigan Lands Commitment From Quarterback Kamden Lopati
Sahith Theegala

Brings Strong Form Into Harbour Town
Wyndham Clark

Needs Putter to Show Up at RBC Heritage
Jacob Bridgeman

Looks to Return to Elite Form at Harbour Town
J.J. Spaun

a Volatile Option at RBC Heritage
PGA

Sungjae Im Offers High-Upside Value at RBC Heritage
Matt Fitzpatrick

Set for Another Strong Showing at RBC Heritage
Jason Day

Eyes Bounce-Back After Sunday Struggles at the Masters
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Rebound at Harbour Town
Cameron Young

Hoping to Secure Second Win of Season at RBC Heritage
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Win Again at RBC Heritage
Shane Lowry

Has Disappointing Final Round at Masters
Viktor Hovland

Hoping to Build on Final Round at Masters
Brian Harman

Struggling For Consistency Heading to RBC Heritage
Chris Gotterup

Putting Together Outstanding 2026 Season
Justin Thomas

Looks to Defend in Hilton Head
Jordan Spieth

in Search of Improved Putting at RBC Heritage
Marco Penge

May Continue Up-and-Down Ride at the RBC Heritage
Xander Schauffele

Could Get The Job Done at RBC Heritage
Jake Knapp

Keeps Building Strong Results in 2026
Kurt Kitayama

Trying to Regain Form From Florida
Collin Morikawa

Continues to be a Scary DFS Play at RBC Heritage
CFB

Tramell Jones Jr. Outperforms Aaron Philo During Florida's Spring Scrimmage
CFB

Keelon Russell Flashes in Alabama's Spring Game
Ty Gibbs

Holds off the Field for His First Cup Series Victory at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Earns His First Runner-Up Finish at Bristol
Kyle Larson

Dominant Performance At Bristol Falls Short of Victory
Tyler Reddick

Matches his Career-Best Finish at Bristol
Alex Bowman

Crashes Early at Bristol in Return From Injury
Carlos Ulberg

Is The New Light Heavyweight Champion
Jiří Procházka

Jiri Prochazka Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Azamat Murzakanov

Suffers His First Loss
Paulo Costa

Wins Back-to-Back Fights
Curtis Blaydes

Drops Decision At UFC 327
Josh Hokit

Remains Unbeaten
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF