We continue our list of fantasy football sleepers by focusing on the pass catchers of the league. The players on this list should be available to you in rounds 5 or later and will help carry your team during bye weeks and injuries.
1. Eddie Royal – Chicago Bears
Royal is now a journeyman wide receiver but in a PPR league he can be a hidden gem for you this year. Jay Cutler loves to sling the ball around and with #1 draft pick Kevin White injured until at least week 6, Royal becomes a legit option for your flex. He should average 5-6 catches a game and over 50 yards for the Bears offense to begin the year. A locked in 10 pts a week isn’t a bad deal for a guy available in the 10th round in most leagues.
2. Victor Cruz – New York Giants
Oh how a year changes things. Last year Victor Cruz would’ve been a steal in the 3rd round and now he can be had in the 5th. Cruz is looking like the player he was prior to his knee injury and Eli Manning is throwing the ball more than ever under this new offensive scheme; throw in the fact that OBJ will be commanding double teams on most 3rd downs and you have a mix for success with Cruz.
3. Davante Adams – Green Bay Packers
Adams was a great sleeper about 2 hours ago and his sleeper status is now in the air with the injury to WR Jordy Nelson. With Aaron Rodgers at QB, Adams has Top 15 fantasy WR potential and could be a steal if he’s available for you in round 3 or 4.
4. Steve Smith Sr. – Baltimore Ravens
Steve Smith Sr. has professed that 2015 will be his final season but that doesn’t mean that the veteran WR won’t produce valuable numbers. Smith had good stretches last season for the Ravens and you can expect those the jump this year with the departure of Torrey Smith and the injury to the rookie Perriman banged up.
5. Terrance Williams – Dallas Cowboys
Williams is poised to take the next step and he could be one of the best WR#2 options in the league. Witten is on the decline and Dez Bryant is drawing triple teams on a consistent basis. Williams should be a great target for Tony Romo and the protection afforded by that offensive line should allow Williams to get deep downfield.
1. Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings
Rudolph may be the #1 benefactor from Adrian Peterson returning to the Vikings. Teddy Bridgewater has shown that he trust Kyle this preseason and he should be a target on over 40% of the Vikes play action passes this season. This pick truthfully hinges on Rudolph’s health, if he remains healthy you get a Pro Bowl player.
2. Eric Ebron – Detroit Lions
Ebron was supposed to be a Jimmy Graham clone coming out of college but the learning curve proved to be too steep for him last season. This year he should be more comfortable in the pass happy Detroit offense and should be running free up the middle thanks to Tate & Megatron on the outside.
3. Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers
Miller is as dependable as they come at the tight end position. Big Ben rose into the elite QB discussion last season and Heath’s ranking should reflect that but it’s not, which is why he is on our sleeper list. Heath is barely being drafted in 10 team leagues and he’s a guy with numbers comparable or better than Jason Witten. Grab him as your back up TE and you won’t be disappointed.
