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 Overhyped Sleeper Candidates for Fantasy Football - Stop that Hype Train!

Dontayvion Wicks - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Ellis looks at overvalued fantasy football sleepers, who are actually busts candidates for 2024. Temper expectations for these players who have sky rocketed up 2024 draft boards.

One week of preseason down, and we already have some massive fantasy risers and fallers. Although it’s always important to keep a level head, this is the first “real” action from which we can draw conclusions.

Without being in the locker rooms, it’s hard to know exactly what’s going on with depth charts, target shares, and overall team involvement. However, the unknown is part of the fun in fantasy football.

We are stuck soaking up all the information we can and making our own conclusions. In this article, I’m going to list a few players who I believe are being overhyped. This list will have everything from running back usage to receiver reality checks. So sit back and buckle up because it’s time to pump the brakes.

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

 

Chase Brown (RB, CIN)

If you have followed my work this offseason, you’ve witnessed my faith in Zack Moss slowly dwindle. Since July, my belief in Moss has been taking on water. This article could potentially be a final way out of my Zack Moss support. If I was a rational individual, that would probably be the move. However, I’m going down with this ship and hoping I can pull a Jack Sparrow in the opening scene of Pirates of the Caribbean.

So why am I doubling down on this take after Chase Brown received all the starter snaps in the first preseason week? In part, it’s because of what he did with those snaps. One of my biggest concerns about Brown was his inefficiency between the tackles. In his first preseason game, he had five carries for 10 yards. That includes a six-yard run, meaning he went four carries for four yards outside of that carry. Although a small sample size, that did not help my concerns.

Along with his inefficiency, Brown was also called for a false start on an important third down. As a young player, it’s hard to hold that against him, but it certainly isn’t a positive. However, that’s a mistake that a veteran back such as Zack Moss will likely not make. Unfortunately, we did not get to see Moss in action as he was out due to illness.

Despite Brown’s meteoric rise up fantasy draft boards, it sounds that the coaches still view this as a 50-50 split. If a 50-50 split is the ceiling, the role will be very important. If this is the case, I think Moss’ role is the better one for fantasy for two reasons. The first is that Moss will more than likely be the one to receive goal line touches. The second is that Moss is very good at pass protection (something that is valued very highly by the Bengals). Unless Brown takes a massive step forward in his protection skills, I believe this has to be Moss’ job as well.

All in all, I can’t ignore the hype for Brown. He is an exciting young player with a lot of juice. Regardless of which RB you believe is the “lead,” it might be worth considering what a true split backfield may look like. Ultimately, maybe it’s best to fade both backs.

 

Dontayvion Wicks (WR, GB)

I have found Wicks fascinating this offseason. After flashing a few impressive games last year, the 2023 fifth-round pick received a lot of praise. Typically, when a day-three pick flashes in a crowded offense, it doesn’t mean much for fantasy. However, Wicks had many of the industry's best (Matt Harmon, Hayden Winks, Matt Waldman, to name a few) singing his praises. Now, that caught my attention. Since then, his fantasy stock has risen consistently. Although I do not doubt that he is a talented player, the hype train needs to slow down.

The popular saying “If you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks” is applicable here. Except it’s more like “If you have five receivers, you have no receivers for fantasy.” With Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Wicks, and Bo Melton all in the mix, it’s a fantasy football disaster. 

Each of these players has carved a role for themselves in this offense. This was on full display, as on their opening drive, they started with Watson, Reed, and Doubs (the expected trio). On the second play, Reed left the field. On the third play, Reed rejoined the lineup, and Wicks replaced Watson, scoring a 65-yard touchdown. That hurts my head. Everyone is going to latch onto the touchdown, which was nice, but skip over how each player was rotated through. 

In Best Ball leagues, if you want to stack a receiver with Jordan Love, Wicks is a solid pick in the later rounds. However, in any managed league, he’ll be nearly impossible to play every week. I’d rather take a shot on players with a clear path to weekly consistency and high upside potential, such as Adonai Mitchell, Rashid Shaheed, or Jahan Dotson.

 

Jermaine Burton (WR, CIN)

Burton had all the characteristics of a sleeper for 2024. After falling in the NFL Draft due to character concerns, his third-round draft capital was at least a round later than his talent indicates. Then he went to the Bengals, who recently lost Tyler Boyd and were in contract troubles with Tee Higgins. What a path for a talented rookie to walk into.

Not so fast. Although reports out of camp have been positive, Andrei Iosivas has been the talk of the town. To further solidify this depth chart, Burton’s usage in the preseason was concerning. With Ja’Marr Chase sitting out, Iosivas and Trenton Irwin started alongside Tee Higgins when Burrow was playing. Burton did not see the field until the end of the second quarter and failed to make his mark until the fourth. He did have a nice touchdown catch, but the fact he was playing that late into the game indicates he may be lower on the depth chart than expected.

Long term, Burton is a very promising player who could see an increased role if Higgins leaves next season. However, for this season, he may not be on the field enough to be fantasy-relevant.

 

J.K. Dobbins (RB, LAC)

To be clear, I’m rooting for Dobbins. Unfortunately, such an exciting young player has had to constantly battle through injuries. These haven’t been just any injuries. These have been severe leg injuries that all require a grueling recovery process. Still, Dobbins finds himself with an opportunity on the Chargers this year.

Although the hype has yet to get too out of control, the camp reports have been pumping Dobbins’ tires. With Gus Edwards working back from injury and the rookie Kimani Vidal working his way up the depth chart, Dobbins has been the main guy. 

Before Dobbins is crowned the leader of this backfield, we need to seriously consider his injury history and contract. Dobbins’ contract with the Chargers only has $50,000 guaranteed. That’s the first red flag. The second is that backs typically don’t return to form after tearing their Achilles until at least a few years. For example, Cam Akers was another promising young back who found himself jumping around teams after returning from his Achilles tear.

Akers is just one example of many players who fail to return to their previous form. Whether it’s D’Onta Foreman or Marlon Mack, I could keep showcasing the fall-off from these injuries. It’s not impossible that Dobbins can be the exception, but it’s very unlikely. I am playing the odds and taking any other dart throw (such as the aforementioned Andrei Iosivas, or rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr.) over the veteran back.

 



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




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

Los Angeles Clippers

Nicolas Batum Staying with Clippers
Jurickson Profar

to Return on Wednesday
Jordan Clarkson

Jazz Finalize Contract Buyout for Jordan Clarkson
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout with Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF