This time of year, it’s important to identify value in all fantasy football formats. Whether you’re trading for assets in dynasty leagues or planning your fantasy football redraft strategy, finding players that provide value compared to their average draft position is a great way to build a championship roster. Let’s take a look at a few of Andrew Erickson’s favorite dynasty rookie sleepers.
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL)
Love me some Tyler Allgeier. The Atlanta Falcons’ fifth-round running back ranks 1st in rushing yards after contact (1,847), 2nd in rushing touchdowns (36) 3rd in PFF rushing grade (94.8) among FBS players with at least 150 carries over the past two seasons. I believe he would have been taken by Atlanta in Round 4 if they had a pick available to them, so I don’t think it’s fair to view the RBs that went in Round 4 in a higher regard. I also don’t think it’s outlandish to think that he’s already the best pure rusher among a backfield that consists of Cordarelle Patterson, Damien Williams and Qadree Ollison. He’s proven to be able to shoulder a massive workload as both a rusher and receiver, which is not true of any other back for the Dirty Birds.
Hassan Haskins (RB – TEN)
Michigan’s Hassan Haskins was one of my favorite running back sleepers before the NFL Draft. I claimed I’d be in on him if he got Round 4 draft capital, and Haskins did exactly that being selected 131st overall. He broke out in a big way as “the guy” for the Wolverines in 2021, earning a 23 percent dominator rating, raising his career dominator rating to 20 percent. With an identical PFF rushing grade to Breece Hall (91.6) over the last three seasons, Haskins looked primed to exceed expectations in the NFL. He offers a lot of size at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds, so he can handle a heavy workload. The Michigan product also led his entire class in rushing attempts inside the five-yard line (29), which gives him a real shot at carving out a goal-line role in the pros. Haskins will never see the field as long as Derrick Henry stays healthy. But there’s zero doubt in my mind that he’s the clear direct back-up for Henry, who showed us last season that he is mortal.
Danny Gray (WR – SF)
Danny Gray got his start at the junior college level playing at Blinn College before spending the last two years at SMU. In 2019, Gray led the team with 54 receptions for 877 yards and eight touchdowns. He totaled 958 all-purpose yards. As a true freshman, Gray registered 15 catches for 409 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot and 186-lb wide receiver finished his juco career averaging 18.6 yards per reception. His big-play ability earned him a spot on SMU’s football team where he showed out big time in 2021. He finished fifth in the class in yards after the catch per reception (8.5). Gray also boasted a 19% target share and 24% air yards share. With elite speed – 4.33 40-yard dash – separation skills and experience playing out wide, Gray fits the archetype as a player that could outperform his draft capital. Vertical prowess is a common trait among late-round WRs that make noise as rookies. He looks a lot like Nelson Agholor on tape – drops also included. His 12.5% drop rate is the 7th-worst mark in the class among WRs with at least 50 targets last season.
2022 Dynasty Rankings
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