Fantasy football sleepers for all 32 NFL teams
By Grant Tuttle
Fantasy winners often have a team assembled of sleeper picks that surprise. Here’s one such potential hero to watch from each team.
The NFL is coming. All 32 teams have reported to training camp and are gearing up for the 2018 season. While the players are getting ready for the upcoming season, you should also be preparing for fantasy football. Whether you enjoy playing with your friends and family for a season long commitment or you play daily fantasy sports, the key to winning is in your draft strategy. Fantasy winners often have a team assembled of unlikely heroes or sleeper picks that surprise other fantasy footballers in their league or competition.
Arizona Cardinals – Christian Kirk
The Arizona Cardinals are in a transition period. The team signed Sam Bradford this offseason and then drafted Josh Rosen in the 2018 NFL Draft. While there is some optimism on the offensive side of the ball with David Johnson’s return, there is also a lot of uncertainty. The Cardinals will be looking for production from 34 year-old Larry Fitzgerald and are hoping that wide receiver Chad Williams can be ready for the 2018 season. However, I am looking at the rookie out of Texas A&M, Christian Kirk.
Kirk will be set up for success on this team because of Larry Fitzgerald’s continued success. Opposing teams will likely keep their attention shifted to the opposite side of the field and up front defending David Johnson. Christian Kirk is a viable fantasy option due to the offense that he will play in and his quickness and strength off of the line of scrimmage. He has the potential to play at the same level that Cooper Kupp did with the Rams last season.
Atlanta Falcons – Calvin Ridley
With a loaded offense, the Atlanta Falcons are looking to dominate opposing defenses. With another year under Dan Quinn and much of the same team together for another year, the Falcons may be a serious Super Bowl contenders. Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Austin Hooper were a very good receiving group before the 2018 Draft. Afterwards the offense got even better.
The Falcons drafted the top wide receiver this offseason, Calvin Ridley. Ridley possesses a unique combination of speed and quickness in his route running. He looks very smooth when he gets off of the line of scrimmage. While Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman will score a lot of fantasy points, Ridley will be open in the middle of the field often. Look for him to get a lot of receptions in the slot.