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One fantasy sleeper from every NFL team
Dennis Schneidler/USA Today Images

One fantasy sleeper from every NFL team

It's fantasy football draft season, and one of the keys to a successful draft is finding players who perform better than their draft position. These "sleepers" could be difference-makers for your fantasy squad.

 
1 of 32

Arizona Cardinals: Chase Edmonds, RB

Arizona Cardinals: Chase Edmonds, RB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Following the loss of Kenyan Drake in free agency, Edmonds is set to be the starting running back in Arizona. He's shown versatility in three seasons while averaging 4.4 yards per carry and could get a huge workload in Arizona.

 
2 of 32

Atlanta Falcons: Qadree Ollison, RB

Atlanta Falcons: Qadree Ollison, RB
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Atlanta is counting on first-time starter Mike Davis at running back after he performed well in Carolina last year. That's a risk to count on the 28-year-old, making his backup a strong investment. Ollison has minimal experience but is the clear No. 2 for the Falcons.

 
3 of 32

Baltimore Ravens: Sammy Watkins, WR

Baltimore Ravens: Sammy Watkins, WR
Mitch Stringer / USA Today Sports Images

First-round pick Rashod Bateman will miss the start of the season due to injury, opening up a great opportunity for Watkins. The veteran has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons but is a playmaker when he's healthy, as he showed with the Chiefs two years ago in the Super Bowl. He could be a fill-in for fantasy teams.

 
4 of 32

Buffalo Bills: Gabriel Davis, WR

Buffalo Bills: Gabriel Davis, WR
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

The Bills are looking to replace John Brown's production, and Davis could be the answer. He was impressive in his rookie season and will battle veteran Emmanuel Sanders for snaps.

 
5 of 32

Carolina Panthers: Terrace Marshall, WR

Carolina Panthers: Terrace Marshall, WR
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

The Panthers are hoping to replace Curtis Samuel's production with a rookie in Marshall. Marshall had an excellent career at LSU and should see plenty of single coverage with Carolina's other weapons garnering attention.

 
6 of 32

Chicago Bears: Darnell Mooney, WR

Chicago Bears: Darnell Mooney, WR
Kamil Krzaczynski / USA Today Sports Images

Mooney was a surprise contributor as a rookie fifth-round pick last season, and the hype continues in training camp. With potentially better quarterback play between Andy Dalton and Justin Fields, Mooney could inch closer to a 1,000-yard season.

 
7 of 32

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB

Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB
Sam Greene / USA Today Sports Images

Burrow's rookie season ended prematurely due to a knee injury, but he was very productive in the 10 games he did play. The Bengals have added rookie Ja'Marr Chase, who was one of Burrow's favorite targets at LSU, giving him elite receiving options. He enters the year with a very small price tag and big upside.

 
8 of 32

Cleveland Browns: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR

Cleveland Browns: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR
Phil Masturzo / USA Today Sports Images

Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry garner most of the headlines, but Peoples-Jones showed excellent speed in his rookie season and has put on a show in training camp. With Beckham and Landry aging, People-Jones has a chance to take on a bigger role this season and possibly generate significant value if the pair misses time.

 
9 of 32

Dallas Cowboys: Tony Pollard, RB

Dallas Cowboys: Tony Pollard, RB
Jason Parkhurst / USA Today Sports Images

Ezekiel Elliott was an elite running back early in his career, but the significant workload has shown with his decline over the last two seasons. While still durable, Elliott's struggles could give Pollard even more opportunities after he showed great speed last year. The upside in stashing Pollard is huge on an offense that should score its fair share.

 
10 of 32

Denver Broncos: Javonte Williams, RB

Denver Broncos: Javonte Williams, RB
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Williams is a sleeper only if the rest of your league hasn't caught on. The rookie is en vogue already, possibly jumping in front of Melvin Gordon on the Broncos depth chart.

 
11 of 32

Detroit Lions: D'Andre Swift, RB

Detroit Lions: D'Andre Swift, RB
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today Sports Images

The Lions' offense is set up to be run-heavy after trading Matthew Stafford and losing their top three wideouts. The drafting of offensive tackle Penei Sewell points to the team's new identity, with Swift becoming the clear starter after averaging 4.6 yards in his rookie season. He should see plenty of work early in games.

 
12 of 32

Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb, WR

Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb, WR
Samantha Madar / USA Today Sports Images

The Packers acquired Cobb in training camp to appease Aaron Rodgers, and the veteran could have a significant role in the offense. He's struggled to stay healthy in two of the last three seasons, but it might not take long for the former Pro Bowler to become a useful matchup play.

 
13 of 32

Houston Texans: Tyrod Taylor, QB

Houston Texans: Tyrod Taylor, QB
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Houston's roster is a mess, and the team seems likely to play from behind regularly this season. That means they will be throwing the ball often, which could lead to some sneaky production from Taylor. He's been a game manager for most of his career but could produce some value in garbage time as a bench stash on fantasy rosters.

 
14 of 32

Indianapolis Colts: Michael Pittman Jr., WR

Indianapolis Colts: Michael Pittman Jr., WR
Mykal McEldowney / USA Today Sports Images

Carson Wentz's foot injury caused a scare in Indianapolis, but he's now likely to be ready for Week 1. That's good news for Pittman, who has a chance to step in as the team's No. 1 wideout in his second season. Pittman had 503 yards in 13 games last season and could be a bigger Red Zone threat this year.

 
15 of 32

Jacksonville Jaguars: Marvin Jones, WR

Jacksonville Jaguars: Marvin Jones, WR
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

With Jacksonville's many receiving options, Jones would seem like an afterthought. However, he's been highly productive throughout his career with the Bengals and Lions, including 978 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Jones could be a sneaky late-round addition again.

 
16 of 32

Kansas City Chiefs: Mecole Hardman, WR

Kansas City Chiefs: Mecole Hardman, WR
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

With the loss of Sammy Watkins, the Chiefs expect another wide receiver to step up. The speedy Hardman looks like the most likely candidate in his third season. He's been more comfortable in training camp and could be a great offense even better.

 
17 of 32

Las Vegas Raiders: Bryan Edwards, WR

Las Vegas Raiders: Bryan Edwards, WR
Brian Fluharty / USA Today Sports Images

Edwards was overshadowed by first-round pick Henry Ruggs last year, but he could be the team's most productive 2020 draftee. The former third-round pick has impressed in camp after seeing minimal snaps last year and is set to garner much more playing time after the Raiders lost Nelson Agholor.

 
18 of 32

Los Angeles Chargers: Jared Cook, TE

Los Angeles Chargers: Jared Cook, TE
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers have utilized the tight end position extensively in recent years between Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry, so it could be the perfect place for Cooks. He's coming off a down year and entering his age 34 season, but he still has 16 scores over the last two years.

 
19 of 32

Los Angeles Rams: Darrell Henderson, RB

Los Angeles Rams: Darrell Henderson, RB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams were counting on Cam Akers entering the year, but a season-ending injury leaves Henderson as the starting running back. The 2019 third-round pick averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season and could be a productive option in one of the NFL's best offenses.

 
20 of 32

Miami Dolphins: Albert Wilson, WR

Miami Dolphins: Albert Wilson, WR
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

With the additions of Will Fuller and rookie Jaylen Waddle in Miami, it's easy to forget about Wilson. However, the veteran wideout has impressed in training camp after opting out of the 2020 season and could play a key role as a slot receiver for the Dolphins. He has a chance to be a fine matchup play.

 
21 of 32

Minnesota Vikings: Irv Smith Jr., TE

Minnesota Vikings: Irv Smith Jr., TE
Nick Wosika / USA Today Sports Images

Minnesota finally moved on from Kyle Rudolph, making Smith the de facto starter at tight end. The third-year tight end had five touchdowns last season and could be a playable option for fantasy managers in 2021.

 
22 of 32

New England Patriots: Damien Harris, RB

New England Patriots: Damien Harris, RB
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Harris is expected to jump over former first-round pick Sony Michel on the depth chart to become New England's starting running back this season. He had an impressive 5.0 yards per carry last year and is a strong candidate for a 1,000-yard season on a run-heavy team.

 
23 of 32

New Orleans Saints: Tre'Quan Smith, WR

New Orleans Saints: Tre'Quan Smith, WR
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Saints star wideout Michael Thomas will miss at least the start of the season after offseason ankle surgery. New Orleans doesn't have many alternatives, but Smith is a top option. He's been inconsistent in three seasons but should see significant targets.

 
24 of 32

New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB

New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB
Kevin R. Wexler / USA Today Sports Images

Jones has struggled in his first two seasons, but the Giants have given the young quarterback everything he needs to succeed with the additions of Kenny Golladay, Kyle Rudolph, and Kadarius Toney. He has a bevy of weapons to make a viable QB1 on fantasy teams.

 
25 of 32

New York Jets: Michael Carter, RB

New York Jets: Michael Carter, RB
Chris Pedota / USA Today Sports Images

The Jets have a full-blown competition at running back in training camp. Carter shows the most upside as a fourth-round rookie on a rebuilding squad, with the chance to be a strong starting option.

 
26 of 32

Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts, QB

Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts, QB
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Hurts' future as a starter in the NFL is up in the air, but he's the clear QB1 in Philly this year after the team traded Carson Wentz. The team has worked to improve their weapons, and have a healthy offensive line to help. With an ability to run the ball, Hurts could be a solid fantasy option even if the Eagles aren't winning games.

 
27 of 32

Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Ebron, TE

Pittsburgh Steelers: Eric Ebron, TE
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

With so many strong wideouts, Ebron is easy to forget about in Pittsburgh. He remains a strong outlet receiver for the Steelers and could see even more than the 91 targets he had last year with Ben Roethlisberger needing to throw the ball faster behind a reshuffled offensive line.

 
28 of 32

San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB

San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB
Stan Szeto / USA Today Sports Images

Lance might not be San  Francisco's starting quarterback in Week 1, but his time will come sooner than later. He's impressed in training camp and has the running ability to help fantasy rosters in multiple ways. With strong weapons and an excellent offensive play-caller in Kyle Shanahan, Lance could be a rare value as a rookie quarterback.

 
29 of 32

Seattle Seahawks: Gerald Everett, TE

Seattle Seahawks: Gerald Everett, TE
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Everett joined the rival Seahawks after years as the Rams' No. 2 tight end. He should see more targets on a Seattle offense that has used the tight end a lot in the passing game over the last several years.

 
30 of 32

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O.J. Howard, TE

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: O.J. Howard, TE
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

With so much star power in Tampa Bay, Howard is the forgotten man. He got off to a nice start last year before a season-ending injury but should have a prominent role in the offense again this year. His Red Zone upside should be enticing as a late-round option.

 
31 of 32

Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill, QB

Tennessee Titans: Ryan Tannehill, QB
George Walker IV / USA Today Sports Images

The bump in value for Tannehill is clear after the addition of Julio Jones. Tannehill now has two elite wideouts in Jones and A.J. Brown, giving him much more upside as a QB1.

 
32 of 32

Washington Football Team: Logan Thomas, TE

Washington Football Team: Logan Thomas, TE
Scott Taetsch / USA Today Sports Images

Washington is expected to have a revamped passing game this year after signing Ryan Fitzpatrick. That's great news for Thomas, who had a breakout season in 2020 despite sub-par quarterback play with 110 targets and six touchdowns. He has a chance to join the elite fantasy tight ends this year.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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NFL

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MLB

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NASCAR

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NBA

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