Few things in fantasy sports are more exciting than being right on a sleeper. Sleepers in best ball are a little different than they are in typical season-long leagues, though. Instead of hoping that your dart throw becomes a viable contributor each week, even just getting two or three great games from a late-round pick in best ball can make a big difference. With that said, let’s take a look at who our featured analysts believe are the best sleepers to grab late in best-ball drafts.
Q1. Which RB outside of our best-ball RB consensus top 45 should fantasy managers target in their best ball drafts and why?
Nyheim Hines (IND): Consensus best-ball rank – RB48
“Nyheim Hines deserves more love in best-ball. In four seasons, Hines has at least 40 receptions each year. He is the clear change-of-pace running back behind Jonathan Taylor and on a team that likes to run the ball. The addition of an aging Matt Ryan will be key for Hines’ production. Ryan is likely to dump the ball off more than Carson Wentz ever did. Over the last three years combined, Ryan has averaged over 100 targets to the running back position. Hines is a fantastic late best-ball option. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
“This is Nyheim Hines for me. That would have been the case even before Colts head coach Frank Reich himself told us to draft Hines this year. The Indy offense may be flying under the fantasy radar heading into a new league year with Matt Ryan under center. Jonathan Taylor is the fantasy RB1, Michael Pittman possesses top-15 WR potential, and Hines is a sneaky PPR RB2 candidate. Would you take a completely realistic stat line of 50+ catches, 600+ total yards and five or more total touchdowns as your RB4 or RB5 and the RB45 in Underdog best-ball drafts? Because I certainly would, and that’s where his ADP lies right now. ”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
Sony Michel (MIA): Consensus best-ball rank – RB52
“Sony Michel offers the least explosiveness of his new Miami backfield teammates but has the most proven track record, shouldering a workload that translates into fantasy production at 5-foot-11 and 216 pounds. Michel has twice as many starts (35) as anybody else in the Miami backfield. Raheem Mostert (9), Chase Edmonds (15) and Myles Gaskin (17) just don’t have the same pedigree that Michel does as a former first-round pick. The former Ram and Patriot has interesting appeal if he becomes the No. 1 runner in Miami’s super-favorable run scheme. He finished third in rushing yards and first in carries over the final six weeks of the 2021 season. He was also used heavily in the red zone last year for the Rams, finishing top 10 in carries inside the 10-yard line (22).”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Zamir White (LV): Consensus best-ball rank – RB61
“Good offensive situations and high touchdown upside. That’s what you are looking for when it comes to deep RB sleepers in best ball. Zamir White fits the bill, albeit it might take a Josh Jacobs injury for White to reach said upside. The Patriots, under Josh McDaniels, were a top-10 offense in rushing touchdowns every year from 2016 until last year, when they finished with 24 touchdowns, second only to the Eagles. Zamir White was a touchdown machine in college, scoring once every 15 carries at Georgia during his three years there. It is harder to find a best-ball home run shot outside of the top 50, but White is just one injury away.”
– Robby Jeffries (The Fantasy Authority)
Q2. Which WR outside of our best-ball WR consensus top 65 should fantasy managers target in their best ball drafts and why?
Joshua Palmer (LAC): Consensus best-ball rank – WR78
“As a rookie, Josh Palmer averaged over seven targets and scored a touchdown in each of the three games where he had a snap share of at least 60%. He was also extremely efficient in the end zone, catching three of his five end-zone targets for TDs. With a downfield skill set that perfectly aligns with his big-armed quarterback, Palmer is one of my favorite late-round WRs to target. He’s got untapped potential should an injury occur to either Mike Williams or Keenan Allen, as he displayed last season. His separation skills — 71st percentile, equal to Keenan Allen, and 92nd percentile vs single coverage — further showcase his versatility. ”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Joshua Palmer has a really interesting allure to him despite doing relatively nothing for the first 13 weeks of his rookie season. From Weeks 14-18, he saw his snap percentage jump to 66%. In the three specific weeks in which he saw at least 60% of the offensive snaps, he had at least 43 receiving yards and a touchdown in each game. Some might argue that it’s a small sample size, but I say it is that type of production that matters in best ball, and you can get him at WR74.”
– Robby Jeffries (The Fantasy Authority)
Tim Patrick (DEN): Consensus best-ball rank – WR68
“The title of Most Underrated Wide Receiver in the NFL belonged to one Timothy Mychael Patrick, in my honest opinion. Patrick is now riding a streak of two seasons in which he’s tallied at least 50 catches, 700 yards and five touchdowns. And I was able to last until the third sentence before even mentioning Russell Wilson and the new offensive-minded coaching staff under Nathaniel Hackett. There are plenty of oral cavities that need nourishment (my awkwardly botched attempt at another way of saying “mouths to feed”) in the Mile High City, yes, but Wilson serves as the best grocer — if you will — the Broncos have rostered since Peyton Manning. I’m gladly taking my chances on Patrick in the WR55-60 range in best-ball formats, even with K.J. Hamler stealing some deep looks upon his return.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
K.J. Hamler (DEN): Consensus best-ball rank – WR88
“K.J. Hamler is a receiver to grab late in best-ball drafts. Hamler will be attached to a good offense with Russell Wilson at quarterback. While Hamler is fourth on the depth chart and perhaps fifth or sixth in target opportunity, Hamler doesn’t need much to produce fantasy points. Hamler, while limited, is a big play waiting to happen, as he has averaged 13.0 yards per catch over two years. Hamler could be an injury away from taking a more important role in the offense. Best ball isn’t always about consistently; it’s big play, and Hamler has that if he can stay healthy. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Thanks to the experts for sharing their advice! For more of their insight, be sure to follow each pundit on Twitter (click their names above) and visit their respective sites.
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