RADIO
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.
Kenbrell Thompkins, WR - NE
The 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.
