With every fantasy football draft, Trinity Prep students convince themselves that this will be their year; only to watch their team go 3-11. The players they predict will be the next breakout star average less than 3 points per game, and they begin to wonder if they will be the one suffering their league’s punishment.
Before you give up, take a look at some of my top sleepers and busts because you deserve to have a winning football season too, even if it is just fantasy.
Sleepers:
Zach Charbonnet, RB – Although Charbonnet is a backup, Kenneth Walker, the current starter, is on the last year of his contract and missed 6 games last season. Walker has also never played every game in an NFL season after 3 years in the league. Watch out for Charbonnet this year, he might be able to emerge as the starting running back in Seattle by Week 8.
Brenton Strange, TE – Strange is an under-the-radar tight end for the Jaguars who will be playing his first NFL season as a starter after playing behind star tight end Evan Engram. In his 8 games as a starter last year, Strange averaged 9 points per game — insane value for a player being drafted at pick 185. If quarterback Trevor Lawrence returns to form, Strange could make a name for himself early this season.
Drake Maye, QB – The rushing ability that Maye has gives him the upside that few quarterbacks can match. Additionally, with new weapons like wide receiver Stefon Diggs and rookie running back Treveyon Henderson, Maye has the supporting cast to perform as a top-tier quarterback this season.
Brandon Aubrey, K – It is weird having a kicker on this list but Aubrey, the projected number 1 kicker in fantasy football this year, gives you a huge positional advantage. Last year, he even had 4 games with over 15 points. Do not be surprised if Brandon Aubrey ends up being the reason you steal a few wins this year or even helps you make a run at the championship.
Busts:
Kyle Pitts, TE – I know you’re still tempted to draft Kyle Pitts, but here’s a reality check: He finished as the 33rd ranked tight end last season, averaging just 8.7 points per game. Yet, he’s being drafted like a top 10 TE. With Drake London, Darnell Mooney and Bijan Robinson as offensive targets, Pitts simply doesn’t have the volume to justify his draft position.
James Conner, RB – Conner did just sign a 2 year, $19 million contract with the Cardinals, but his head coach has already said that Conner and his backup, Trey Benson, will be splitting carries. This is not a good sign for a 31-year-old running back who is being drafted at pick 47. I think that he will average less than 8 points once Benson eventually overtakes Connor’s role as the starting running back in Arizona.
Terry McLaurin, WR – Last year, McLaurin ended with 13 touchdown catches, second in the league, but he only finished as the wide receiver 15 in points per game. His fantasy points were heavily based on his touchdown numbers, which are bound to go down this year. Additionally, his quarterback is bound to have a sophomore slump, as CJ Stroud did this past year, which will affect McLaurin’s production.
Breece Hall, RB – Hall is one of the best running backs in the league, talent-wise. The situation the Jets leave him in is just awful for fantasy football performance. Last time his quarterback, Justin Fields, was a starter in the NFL, he took rushing attempts away from the Bears running back David Montgomery, leaving Montgomery to be the running back 21 and 27 in his 2 years with Fields. This, along with a struggling offensive line puts Hall at a clear disadvantage this year.
Disclaimer: Do NOT blame me if you lose your fantasy football league. Fantasy football is not for the faint of heart.
