Everyone is looking for that one player who can put their fantasy football team over the top. Often times it ends up being that player you got in a late round that saves the day. When the draft gets late don’t worry about your buddy getting an advantage on you. Earlier I discussed my list of top ten wide receiver prospects you should consider. Now read here for some fantasy wide receiver sleepers that could pay dividends for your fantasy team in 2016.
- Torrey Smith (49ers):
Chip Kelly likes to throw the ball deep and he’s got a speedy receiver on the roster in Torrey Smith. Sure Smith didn’t have a good 2015 in San Fran during his first year with the team but ask yourself who did. The Tomsula era was a dumpster fire and should be thrown out of the window for good. Think Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin here. Trust me someone is going to get those deep balls and I’ll put my money on Torrey to get those targets.
2. Markus Wheaton – Sammie Coates (Steelers):
Martavis Bryant is done for the year which opens up a big opportunity for one of these young receivers. Wheaton was pretty dependable last year reeling in 44 passes for 749 yards and 5 touchdowns. Coates on the other hand is probably more talented but isn’t quite as experienced entering his 2nd year. Coates is a freak athlete who is a poor man’s Terrell Owens. The problem is he literally cannot catch. If he ever learns how to take care of his butter finger problem, Coates could be a rising superstar.
3. Michael Thomas, Laquon Treadwell, Corey Coleman, and Tyler Boyd:
You never really know what you are going to get from rookie receivers so let’s group them all together here. Thomas has the best quarterback situation here with Drew Brees and probably compares to a Anquan Boldin in the league. Treadwell was my number one receiver on draft day and landed in a pretty good spot in Minnesota. He immediately becomes their number one guy and gets to be groomed into Norv Turner’s next Vincent Jackson. Coleman right now is sort of a one trick pony deep threat receiver but again is the number one guy in Cleveland. Boyd is the purest route runner of the group but is a bit undersized. Boyd slides into a complimentary target with A.J. Green manning the other spot.
Dorial Green-Beckham (Eagles):
Philly traded for this guy for a reason and basically got him for free. We found out last year that Nelson Agholor stinks just like every USC receiver that comes into the league. It didn’t help that he also got into trouble during the offseason. Green-Beckham could be a huge red-zone piece for this team who needs his possession receiving skills. During his rookie year in 2015, Green-Beckham had 529 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Ted Ginn (Panthers):
I think everyone forgot this guy had 10 receiving touchdowns last year. Sure Kelvin Benjamin is back but that doesn’t mean Ginn won’t get his deep balls. Realistically all he has to do is catch one home run ball a game to be worth the start that week.
Justin Hardy (Falcons):
Hardy is the prototypical slot receiver in the NFL and will be a factor heading into his 2nd season. He had the quickest feet of any receiver in last year’s combine cone drills showing off his flawless route running. Mohamed Sanu is a new arrival but that doesn’t mean Hardy can’t thrive just as Harry Douglas did for years with Atlanta.
