🖥 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE THANKS
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
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.

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

 

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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Shea Theodore

Out Against Devils
Jack Eichel

Misses First Game of the Season Wednesday
Brett Pesce

Back in Action Wednesday
Devin Neal

Ruled Out for Sunday
Christian Watson

"Should be Good" to Face the Bears on Saturday
Geno Smith

has "a Good Chance" to Return in Week 16
Saquon Barkley

Back at Practice on Wednesday
Brady Cook

Will Start Again in Week 16
Patrick Mahomes

Rehabbing ACL, LCL Tears
Rashee Rice

Won't Practice Due to Concussion
Marvin Harrison Jr.

to Take Part in Wednesday's Walkthrough Practice
Drake London

Day-to-Day, Will Practice on Wednesday
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
Quinn Ewers

Making First Career Start in Week 16
Tua Tagovailoa

Being Benched by Dolphins
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
Jeremy Ruckert

Jets, Jeremy Ruckert Agree to a Two-Year Extension
Thatcher Demko

Shuts Out Rangers With 23 Saves
Macklin Celebrini

Notches Four Points in Tuesday's Win
Leon Draisaitl

Reaches Special Milestone During Four-Point Night
Shea Theodore

Questionable for Wednesday Night
Jack Eichel

Battling Illness
Darcy Kuemper

Placed on Injured Reserve
Brandon Montour

Hurt on Tuesday
Sam Merrill

Remains on Shelf Wednesday
Max Strus

Still Out Wednesday
Ayo Dosunmu

May Miss Another Game Wednesday
Brandon Clarke

Upgraded to Questionable on Injury Report
Cam Spencer

Unavailable Wednesday
Mike Conley

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Zach LaVine

to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Mike Trout

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026
Victor Wembanyama

Coming off the Bench on Tuesday Night
Rudy Gobert

Not on the Injury Report for Wednesday
Anthony Edwards

on the Injury Report Again for Wednesday Night
Ja Morant

Questionable for Wednesday's Meeting With Timberwolves
Saquon Barkley

Misses Practice With Stinger
RJ Harvey

Dealing With Rib Injury
Josh Jacobs

Intends to Play Against Bears on Saturday
Zach Bogosian

Misses Tuesday's Game
Marcus Johansson

Unavailable Tuesday
Artyom Levshunov

Scratched for Tuesday
Mathew Barzal

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Joseph Woll

Returns to Action Tuesday
Mike Matheson

Won't Play on Tuesday
Rasmus Ristolainen

Makes Season Debut Tuesday
Bam Knight

Cardinals Place Bam Knight on Injured Reserve
CFB

Kansas State's Jayce Brown Intends to Transfer
CFB

Nation's Leading Passer Drew Mestemaker to Enter Transfer Portal
Justin Crawford

Phillies Planning to Start Justin Crawford in Center Field
CFB

Jayden Maiava Signs New Deal to Return to USC
CFB

Aidan Mizell Won't Return to Florida, Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

East Carolina Targeting Jordan Davis as Next Offensive Coordinator
Patrick Mahomes

Targeting Week 1 Return in 2026
Cutter Gauthier

Scores Twice at MSG
CFB

Michigan QB Jadyn Davis Set to Enter Transfer Portal
CFB

Travis Williams Joining Texas A&M Defensive Staff
Tim Stützle

Tim Stutzle Records Three Assists in Dramatic Win
Filip Forsberg

Nets 11th Career Hat Trick
Sam Reinhart

Pots Two Goals Against Lightning
Cooper Flagg

Becomes Youngest 40-Point Scorer in NBA History
Victor Wembanyama

May Come Off the Bench Again Tuesday
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic to Undergo MRI Tuesday
Sam Hauser

Tweaks Left Ankle Monday
Peyton Watson

Not Expected to Be Out Long-Term
Ja Morant

Injures Ankle in Monday's Win
Darren Waller

Hauls in Two Touchdowns in Monday Night Loss
Brandon Clarke

Still Out Monday
Rome Odunze

Considered Week-to-Week With Foot Injury
James Harden

Officially Active on Monday Night
Ja Morant

to Remain Under Minutes Restriction Monday
James Harden

a Game-Time Call Monday
Davante Adams

Considered Week-to-Week With Hamstring Injury
Jaylen Warren

to Play Through Illness on Monday Night
CFB

Dylan Raiola Entering His Name into Transfer Portal
CFB

Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby Plans to Transfer When Portal Opens
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia, Phillies Finalizing One-Year Deal on Monday
Brandon Royval

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
CFB

Baylor, LSU, Miami Among Potential Suitors for DJ Lagway
CFB

Aidan Chiles Will Enter Transfer Portal
Manel Kape

Shines At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Gets Second-Round Knockout Win
Giga Chikadze

Suffers His First Career Knockout Loss
CFB

Quarterback DJ Lagway Entering Transfer Portal
Cesar Almeida

Gets Dominated
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Wins Sixth Fight In A Row
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Melquizael Costa

Gets First-Round Knockout Win
Marcus Buchecha

Still Winless In The UFC
Kennedy Nzechukwu

And Marcus Buchecha Fight To Draw
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
King Green

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kenley Jansen

Agrees to One-Year Deal With Tigers
Merrill Kelly

Returns to Diamondbacks on Two-Year Deal
Jorge Polanco

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Mets
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Return to South Carolina in 2026
CFB

Washington State Expected to Hire Kirby Moore as Next Head Coach
CFB

Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down as Utah Head Coach
Manel Kape

Set For UFC Vegas 112 Main Event
Brandon Royval

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Set For His Third UFC Fight
Giga Chikadze

In Dire Need Of Victory
Cesar Almeida

Set To Welcome Cezary Oleksiejczuk To The UFC
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Maikel Garcia

Royals Agree on Five-Year Extension
Melquizael Costa

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Looks to Win Second Consecutive Fights
Marcus Buchecha

Looks To Bounce Back
CFB

Sherrone Moore Charged with Home Invasion, Among Other Charges
CFB

Freddie Kitchens Fired from North Carolina Coaching Staff

RANKINGS

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