Fantasy Football: PPR Sleepers and Breakout Players

It's that time of the year again! The month of August is a truly fascinating month in the sense that we're all prepared and ready for football to start but we still have to wait several weeks for Week 1 of the NFL season. That's why August is the perfect time to start prepping for your Fantasy Football draft! Today, I'll go through an extensive list of players being drafted well below their potential value.

Najee Harris RB (PIT) -- Yahoo Ranking: 14; ESPN Ranking: 16

I'll be the first to admit Harris really can't be considered a sleeper this year. In most mock drafts, he's going in the Top 15. Still, given that he could end this year as the RB1 in PPR leagues, it's worth putting him on the list. With the departure of James Conner, Najee Harris looks to have the Pittsburgh backfield all to himself. His versatility as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield is the elite combination we all look for in a fantasy football running back. Ben Roethlisberger will be 39 this season, and it's clear his arm has taken a step back. Don't be surprised if Pittsburgh leans on the run game a little bit more. It's a hot take to say that a rookie could finish as the RB1, but it's not completely uncommon. Saquon Barkley was the top PPR RB in 2018, and he did it in a very similar situation to Harris (aging QB, no competition for touches). The OL is a bit of an issue, and it can be risky dropping a top pick on a rookie, but Harris has all the makings of a fantasy football superstar.

Darrell Henderson RB (LAR) -- Yahoo Ranking: 36; ESPN Ranking: 39

Initially, I was hesitant to trust the Rams backfield. I still haven't recovered from drafting Cam Akers last year (and then dropping him before his explosion at the end of the year). If you're unaware, the Rams went with a running back by committee backfield until Akers took over at the end of the season. But here's why you should buy in big on Henderson. Cam Akers suffered a torn Achilles, sidelining him for the entire season. The Dolphins signed Malcolm Brown. That leaves Henderson as the sole feature back in a very dynamic Rams offense. Henderson put up great fantasy numbers in the first few weeks of 2020, so he's shown the ability to be productive as a feature back. With little to no competition for touches, Henderson could easily finish as a quality RB1, and he's going in the 3rd to 4th round.

Henderson WILL be a feature back in LA. He's an incredible value pick in the 3rd or 4th round

Mike Davis RB (ATL) -- Yahoo Ranking: 55; ESPN Ranking: 77

Experts are not high on Mike Davis and it shows in his fantasy ranking. Davis broke out last year taking over for an injured Christian McCaffrey. Initially bursting onto the scene, his fantasy production fizzled out as the season wore on. Unlike Harris or Henderson, Davis does not have RB1 potential, but he could be a very solid RB2. Like Harris and Henderson, Davis benefits from no backfield competition. It's very rare that you find a feature back in the mid to late rounds. Look at the running backs around Davis on Yahoo. Miles Gaskin, who will be part of a 3 runningback scheme, Kareem Hunt, who will split touches with Nick Chubb, and Travis Ettiene, who has to worry about James Robinson. If you wanna talk about ESPN, he's an absolute steal at 77. Davis will be a 3-down back for Atlanta, and while it's no guarantee he'll produce consistently, the workload share alone is enough to take a flier on him.

Robby Anderson WR (CAR) -- Yahoo Ranking: 64; ESPN Ranking: 58

Robby Anderson was sneaky good in 2020. He finished as the 19th best PPR receiver. His 95 receptions and 1096 receiving yards were fantastic, but his lowly 3 touchdowns kept him from being a true fantasy force. DJ Moore is the presumed WR1 on Carolina but Curtis Samuel departs, leaving Anderson as the clear WR2 on an offense now led by former Jets teammate Sam Darnold. Darnold's time in NY will not be remembered fondly, but he did have good chemistry with Anderson. As Sam adjusts to a new offense, don't be surprised if he leans on Anderson early on.

Javonte Williams RB (DEN) -- Yahoo Ranking: 71; ESPN Ranking: 63

There's been a lot of hype around Williams and rightfully so. He's being taken in the mid-rounds despite the fact that Melvin Gordon will be the starting running back in all likelihood. Even though that's not ideal, he's worth a pick at this value. Williams has the talent to rush for 1000 yards and he's got receiving upside to boot. Experts say Williams could be the best running back of this draft class, and I wouldn't be surprised if he emerges as the starting running back by Week 4. Melvin Gordon complicates the situation, but the upside of Williams justifies the pick.

Michael Carter RB (NYJ) -- Yahoo Ranking: 86; ESPN Ranking: 102

Drafting any Jet this year will be a bold move given there's so much uncertainty with their offense. Still, there's enough here to take a flier on Carter. Last time we checked, the Jets have Carter pegged as their starting running back. Veteran back Tevin Coleman could compete for some touches, but all reports out of training camp say that Carter is killing it. He's currently going in the late rounds near backup runningbacks like AJ Dillon, so it's not like you're passing on insane value if you take Carter.

Antonio Brown WR (TB) -- Yahoo Ranking: 98; ESPN Ranking: 89

I've been hesitant to take players from Tampa given the sheer number of weapons, but there's clear value here. It wasn't that long ago that Brown was THE premiere WR that everyone wanted. He no longer has WR1 potential, but he's a reliable Flex option with WR2 upside. Brown played in the final 8 games of the 2020 season, averaging 14.6 points per game. He got better as the season went on too, scoring double digits in his final 3 games and finish the year with a 36.8 point performance. Godwin and Evans are being taken early, but you can get similar value in Brown in the later rounds.

Mike Williams WR (LAC) -- Yahoo Ranking: 109; ESPN Ranking 97

Justin Herbert shined in his rookie campaign, and I'm a firm believer he'll follow it up with an even better season. Keenan Allen is being drafted in the 2nd-3rd round range, and rightfully so (more on that in another article coming out soon!), but Williams will work well as the WR2 in the Chargers offense. Allen and running back Austin Ekeler will get a lot of targets, but there's still more than enough offense to go around. Mike Williams is one of the best pure deep threats in the league, and while Allen is undoubtedly an elite receiver, he lacks the explosive ability that allows Williams to dominate deep down the field. Herbert is not shy of throwing deep, and Williams could be his go-to guy. Health is admittedly a major concern with Williams, but it's hard to pass up this much talent this late in drafts.

Mike Gesicki TE (MIA) -- Yahoo Ranking: 116; ESPN Ranking: 108

Tight End is one of the most controversial positions in fantasy football. If you get one of the rare elite tight ends, it gives you such an edge over everyone else in the league. Still, I'm of the belief to draft value early and wait for a tight end. If you've waited too long and you need a steal, Gesicki is your guy. He finished as the TE7 in PPR leagues yet he's ranked as the TE12 on Yahoo currently. Gesicki's athleticism allows Miami to use him as a WR, and he only set up on the line 11% of the time last year. His production could depend in part on how well Tua plays, but he should still be a viable option even with questions surrounding his QB. Tight End is a top-heavy position so he won't win you a league, but he can give you semi-consistent production which is a win at this draft spot.

Marvin Jones WR (JAX) -- Yahoo Rankings: 121; ESPN Ranking: 96

At this point, the name Marvin Jones is synonymous with the word "underrated". Fun fact: Jones was the WR18 last year, despite playing for a subpar Lions team. Jones has made a living out of playing wide receiver for below-average teams. He started with the Bengals, went to the Lions, and now he'll do it again on Jacksonville. Given that DJ Chark's stock has fallen massively after the negative comments from Urban Meyer, Jones can step up as the WR1 in this offense. From what we've seen of Jaguars camp, Jones and rookie QB Trevor Lawrence look good together. Laviska Shenault Jr will get his targets, but look for Lawrence to rely on his veteran WR early on.

Mike Williams and Marvin Jones are two of my favorite sleepers at WR this year

Adam Trautman TE (NO) -- Yahoo Ranking: 126; ESPN Ranking: 166

Out of all the sleepers, Trautman might be the most unknown - which could work in your favor. Trautman is set to be the starting TE for a New Orleans offense that is surrounded by questions after the retirement of Drew Brees. The reason you should buy into Trautman is a concept called vacant targets. Alvin Kamara was targeted the most times in 2020, and he'll return for 2021. Following Kamara, it was Emmanuel Sanders, TE Jared Cook, and Michael Thomas. The Bills signed Sanders and Cook signed with the Chargers, leaving the tight end position wide open. Thomas is still on the Saints, but he'll miss a majority of the first half and he continues to clash with the franchise. With all those targets vacant, someone will need to fill the hole and it could easily be Trautman. Fans of Trautman (and Kamara) should hope that Winston earns the starting QB duties, but even if Taysom Hill wins the job, Trautman can still be a featured target. Jimmy Graham was the best tight end in football for several years in Sean Payton's system so it has benefitted tight ends before. Just a thought.

Daniel Jones QB (NYG) -- Yahoo Ranking: 135; ESPN Ranking: 148

Yahoo currently has Daniel Jones as the QB20. It's been a shaky first 2 years but there's reason for hope. Jones' stats may be ugly, but they hide a shocking amount of talent. Jones has an above-average arm, has been able to throw the ball accurately, and has top tier athleticism. When the guy is nicknamed Danny Dimes AND Vanilla Vick, you should pay attention. His issue has been decision-making, and while it's a fairly large issue, he has the raw talent to put a good season together. Jones' athleticism in particular gives him tremendous upisde. We all love mobile QBs and the Giants offense gives him read options and the ability to run whenever he sees an opening. The Giants went out and got an elite deep threat in Kenny Golladay as well as a very athletic and versatile rookie in Kadarius Toney. The OL is still a mess but Jones has the talent and the weapons to be a fantasy football surprise this season.

Elijah Moore WR (NYJ) -- Yahoo Ranking: 148; ESPN Ranking: 129

Are you really a sleeper if EVERYONE says you're a sleeper. Moore has been the most frequent name thrown out when mentioning 2021 sleepers. You've heard it all by now. Experts say he could be the best receiver on the Jets. Opposing receivers are giving him praise. The whole 9 yards. Let's be real here. If you have Jets fans in your league, you might not have a shot at him. Moore is a good pick late, but just make sure you're not taking him too early. He's a hot commodity in the late rounds, so try not to overpay, but if he falls to you, by all means take him.

Moore has been one of the most talked about sleepers this year. Keep your eye on him

Lou Orlando is the founder and head writer of the Sports Knight Podcast. If you want to read more of his work, check out the blog section of our website.