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Fantasy Football WR: 10 Late-round sleepers who get targets

By Zachary Thompson

December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Eddie Royal (11) runs with the football during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi
December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Eddie Royal (11) runs with the football during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi /
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Nov 29, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) watches the scoreboard near the end of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 42-28. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) watches the scoreboard near the end of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 42-28. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

Devin Funchess-Carolina Panthers

While I was working on this post, the Panthers lost Kelvin Benjamin for his entire second season in the league which moved Funchess up this list considerably since there are now even more targets sure to come his way from Cam Newton.  Funchess is still high-risk, but he could be lined up for a breakout season in his rookie year in the NFL.

Carolina traded up to draft Funchess in the second round of last year’s draft out of the University of Michigan. At Michigan, Funchess played both WR and TE and gives Cam Newton another big, potent red zone threat at receiver. Throughout his time with the Panthers, Funchess has been working as a WR and with Benjamin’s injury will now be looked to even more.

He was already expected to be heavily used across from Benjamin, but now he’ll have a shot at being one of the most targeted rookies this year. The Panthers do have other receivers, but they mostly fit in as complimentary options, so look for the 21-year old to get plenty of passes thrown his way.

Funchess started preseason well catching two passes for 53 yards with the second team offense.  Hopefully the buzz on him doesn’t go crazy and you can still get him late, but the sky is the limit for this rookie, so if he is around towards the end of your draft he has enough upside to make him one of the best option available despite his lack of NFL experience.

Next: Devante Parker-Miami Dolphins

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