With the NFL preseason week 2 behind us, and the regular season just a few weeks away, Fantasy Football drafts are in full swing. If your league hasn’t drafted yet, or you’re looking for waiver wire pick ups, Jack Humphrey is back with some sleepers in the AFC for you!
Want to dominate your league? Read on…
AFC East
New England Patriots
Damien Harris (RB): Heads up I have him everywhere! Sony Michel is a special runner when he is available and that is the key when! Harris has the ability to step in as a rookie and take over as a lead runner. He also offers versatility as a pass-catcher in an offense that may need him to contribute in that area when he is on the field.
Miami Dolphins
Kalen Ballage (RB): The Dolphins’ two best offensive players may be their running backs, Ballage and Kenyan Drake. Miami could have to lean heavily on their RBs, and Ballage is a promising package of power and big-play potential.
Buffalo Bills
Devin Singletary (RB): There is a crowded RB picture in Buffalo right now, but this rookie can emerge as the lead Fantasy producer. While Singletary is small, he is stout for his size and he can also catch passes out of the backfield. He could at least be useful as a Fantasy player in a part-time role.
New York Jets
Jamison Crowder (WR): After four years in Washington, Jamison Crowder signed a deal to join the New York Jets this offseason. Between the change of scenery and playing with an up-and-coming quarterback like Sam Darnold, Crowder might be ready to step up from his usual spot as a flex option in fantasy. Remember Jarvis Landry under Adam Gase.
AFC South
Houston Texans
Keke Coutee (WR): Barring injury, Coutee can be a valuable bench player or a third receiver in a 12+ man league. Expect easy open field yards for him as he makes a living on flats and drag routes. His quickness combined with the other Texans’ receivers drawing most of the defensive attention will feed him plenty of targets to fill up the stat sheet.
Indianapolis Colts
Devin Funchess (WR): The Indianapolis Colts could have a breakout fantasy football star in consecutive seasons. Last year, Eric Ebron this year, Devin Funchess? . Funchess pulled down 21 touchdown receptions in four years with the Carolina Panthers 16 of those scores within 19 yards of the goal line.
Tennessee Titans
Delanie Walker (TE): People have forgotten about this hidden gem at Tight end after only playing one game last year. When Marcus Mariota took over at quarterback for the Tennessee Titans in 2015, Delanie Walker has led the team in catches (237), receiving yards (2,747) and receiving touchdowns (16). Fantasy gold at this position.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Dede Westbrook (WR): The Jaguars’ starting slot receiver posted team-high marks in targets (101), receptions (66), yards (717) and touchdowns (5) in 2018. Westbrook now has the chance to be Nick Foles’ new-look Nelson Agholor. An explosive underneath option with the potential to create big plays via yards after the catch.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
Darwin Thompson (RB): Do you believe in Damien Williams or Carlos Hyde? Thompson’s blend of power, vision, burst, and balance are so fun to watch. Regardless of if Thompson starts or not, his ADP is 213, which means he isn’t even owned in most 12 team leagues. That is crazy. When you start getting late into your draft and need a high-reward flyer, remember Thompson’s name.
L.A. Chargers
Justin Jackson (RB): If we do not see Melvin Gordon for a while, which seems like a real possibility, Jackson could step forward to take on a significant role. He flashed some potential last year when Gordon was out late in the schedule, rushing for 120 yards on 15 carries in Weeks 12 and 13 combined, and scoring in Weeks 13 and 15. OUTSNAPPING AUSTIN EKLER!
Denver Broncos
DaeSean Hamilton (WR): Buried on the Broncos depth chart for most of last season, Hamilton seized his opportunity after Emmanuel Sanders went down with injury. Over the final four weeks of the season, Hamilton racked up 25 catches — only seven wideouts had more over that span.
Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr (QB): The additions of Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams should give Carr targets to replace Amari Cooper and Jared Cook. The selection of Josh Jacobs should give the Raiders a bell-cow back to not only tote the rock but act as a safety valve in the passing game.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Miles Boykin (WR): Boykin looked good in the preseason opener, and he’s going to continue to move up Baltimore’s depth chart. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up as Lamar Jackson’s favorite target by the end of the season. (Podcast Favourite)
Pittsburgh Steelers
James Washington (WR): No Antonio Brown. Defenses should key in on Smith-Schuster and this should give Washington plenty of one-on-one opportunities. He showed flashes during his rookie season, but was generally inconsistent. If he figures it out in training camp, he’ll end up with plenty more targets and opportunities, making him a worthwhile sleeper.
Cleveland Browns
Browns (DST): My Chicago Bears this year! Cleveland was second in the NFL with 31 takeaways last season, yet they failed to produce a defensive touchdown. The touchdowns are fluky, and, if anything, will almost certainly improve this year.
Cincinnati Bengals
John Ross (WR): New HC Zach Taylor’s quick screens and jet sweeps could allow the Bengals to make better use of super-speedster John Ross than the previous regime ever did. If Ross heals in time from a lingering hamstring injury, I’d expect a heavy dose of these plays in the opening weeks of the season as Green is nursed.
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