2016 Wide Receiver Sleepers
I feel compelled to write an articles on sleepers, probably because this site is called sleepers and busts. Here are some undervalued guys as well as some wide outs you can grab later in your drafts or off the waiver wire.
Donte Moncrief (Indy) - He's more undervalued than a prototypical sleeper. He’s going later than guys like Demaryius Thomas and Alshon Jeffery despite the fact that he’s on a more explosive offense with a better quarterback. When the Colts get in the red zone, and they will, he’s the tallest of the Colt receivers so he’ll be the guy Luck looks for. The Colts defense is terrible so they’ll have to keep passing to keep up with opponents. Indy is a run and shoot type of team like the Houston Oilers were under Warren Moon years ago. I could see Moncrief being a top ten wide receiver, possibly surpassing AJ Green if things break right.
Michael Floyd (Ariz)- Floyd is another guy who is probably more of a breakout candidate than a traditional sleeper, but semantics aside I think he’s undervalued. He’s quietly being overlooked by many drafters, but Floyd could have a monster season. The Cardinals like to pass and he’s their top dog. Once he healed up from a finger injury last year, around mid-season, he came on strong. He plays on one of the most explosive offenses in the league and has ideal size near the goal line.
Josh Gordon (Clev)- He’s suspended for the first four games- maybe him and Brady can do lunch? He looked awesome in the preseason against Tampa. This guy is a big play machine. He led the NFL in yardage only a few years ago and you can get him cheap. There will be plenty of garbage points to be had in the 4th quarter of Cleveland games. He's worth the risk.
Sterling Shepard (NY Giants)- He’s drawn rave reviews in camp and the Giants love to pass the ball. With Odell Beckham drawing double teams he could quickly put up solid numbers. And if Victor Cruz gets hurt again- he could become a ppr monster.
Markus Wheaton (Pitt)- Martavis Bryant’s year long suspension creates an opening on a powerful Steelers squad. Wheaton can fly and asked to move from the slot to the outside. It could translate into some big plays. Antonio Brown can’t catch all of the passes in Pittsburgh can he?
Tyrell Williams (SD)- Well I liked him before the season because he was having a good camp. The reason I was high on him- he has the size and speed to make big plays. He also plays on a Chargers team with a lousy defense and poor running attack- so there should be plenty of chances. I figured Travis Benjamin might get hurt because he’s a smaller receiver. At the time of this writing it was Keenan Allen who got hurt today. He tore his acl- so unfortunately for Allen it’s next man up. That might awaken Tyrell Williams into a more prominent role and it doesn’t hurt when Phillip Rivers is throwing him the rock.
Marqise Lee (Jack)- Few people remember that Lee was taken ahead of fellow teammate Allen Robinson in one of the best NFL drafts for wide receivers in recent times. At one point in college Lee was ranked as a top 10 overall pick right near Sammy Watkins. Lee’s health has hampered his NFL career so far, but he’s healthy now. He has solid hands and runs well after the catch. Allen Hurns is moving into the slot with Lee moving outside so he could get loose for some big plays. The Jaguars offense is emerging into one of the better ones and you can get Lee for a song in most drafts. It never hurts playing the Titans and Colts twice a year either.
Mike Wallace (Balt)- Wallace takes his talents to Baltimore where he finally works with a quarterback capable of getting him the rock again. The last time was when he was with the Steelers and had Big Ben throwing to him. Joe Flacco has one of the strongest arms in the NFL- it seems like a perfect match with Wallace's best asset- his blazing speed. The Ravens like to pass it under offensive coordinator Mark Trestman. They play a good schedule which should ensure plenty of shootouts, including facing off against the Steelers twice where, no doubt, he'll be motivated. He's more valuable in non-ppr leagues, but when he makes catches they usually go for big gains. The best part- Wallace can be had dirt cheap in most drafts. I'm buying.