There are gems hidden in the fantasy football draft. You just have to find them, and in several cases, they’re hiding in the deep sleepers category.
There’s no set number for describing a deep sleeper pick in the draft, but generally I deem players picked 121 or beyond as deep sleeper candidates. And in this year’s draft, there are some candidates who shouldn’t be looked over based on average draft position.
I’m targeting a handful of players in this realm who can make an impact on fantasy football rosters.
121. Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers
We’ll start out at the 121st pick, according to ADP.
Montgomery was a major disappointment in 2017, thanks to injuries and then the dreaded realization that Green Bay actually had two other good running backs slotted behind him.
However, Montgomery is now healthy, and reports out of practice are showing that Montgomery still is being counted on as a major part of the offense.
That’s a significant development, considering Montgomery was heavily used early in 2017 before injuries derailed his season. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers at the helm in 2016, Montgomery was a waiver wire magician, providing a late-season boost to fantasy football owners with his rushing and receiving yards.
The running back situation is still cloudy in Green Bay, but at this price, Montgomery is a major deep sleeper candidate based on his ability to run and catch out of the backfield.
124. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
This is why I’m not wasting an early round pick on a quarterback.
Expectations should be much higher for Mariota entering 2018. However, experts are focusing too much on his injury-riddled 2017 to care about his expected production gains in 2018.
The offensive line is still one of the better units in the NFL. Corey Davis is a year older on the outside. Delanie Walker is still a tight end machine and Dion Lewis is adding necessary relief out of the backfield in terms of receiving prowess.
And new coach Mike Vrabel can’t possibly put out as bland of an offensive approach as Mike Mularkey did during his Titans tenure.
Mariota is finally healthy, so expect a version comparable to 2016, opposed to what we witnessed in 2017.
129. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
I’ll quit with the quarterbacks momentarily, but don’t get sidetracked with the media’s obsession regarding a lack of weapons on the Cowboys roster.
Prescott is good enough to overcome a below-average receiving corps.
Even in a down year by most expert opinions, he still registered 28 total touchdowns in 2017. He’s a touchdown magnet who will be called upon to consistently move the chains for a Dallas team that I expect will be better than most believe.
The offensive line is still one of the best in the NFL, allowing Prescott the time necessary to make solid decisions. He also can rely on a solid running game. And if defenses focus entirely on the running game, Prescott can torch the secondary through the air or beat the opposition with his feet.
Prescott has been a QB1 in each of his first two seasons, so even without aging options Dez Bryant and Jason Whitten, he should still be considered a top-12 quarterback.
138. Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
I promise, this isn’t a list of potential injury list participants in fantasy football 2018.
Eifert has definitely had some injury problems in recent years, playing in only 10 games during the last two seasons. That’s a concern.
However, at this level, with being rated as the 14th tight end, according to ADP, the risk is manageable based on the possible reward.
When healthy, Eifert tallied 13 touchdowns in 2015. Even if the Bengals are being cautious with him and just make him a red zone target, that would still make him a viable tight end threat based on his ability to score once inside the red zone.
This is a risk, but at pick 138, it’s not going to make or break your roster.
156. Martavis Bryant, WR, Oakland Raiders
There are no guarantees at this level of the fantasy football draft, but it’s hard to pass up such a talented player this late in the draft.
Bryant is a major talent. However, there are some issues, like missed time in previous years and a consistent battle with migraines that could force him out of action at times in the season.
One of the issues that is scaring people away from Bryant — the competition at receiver — isn’t bothering me. I believe Amari Cooper will bounce back this season, but I’m not sold on Jordy Nelson. It may take a few weeks, but eventually, I anticipate Bryant being the No. 2 option in Oakland. That’s not a death sentence for his fantasy output either, as we’ve seen Derek Carr spread the ball around enough to allow two receivers to be high producers in fantasy scoring.
Taking a flier on Bryant makes sense at this level based on potential.
180. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Be patient with this pick. Oftentimes, we have this great deep sleeper in fantasy football drafts and then dump him after a few weeks of non-production.
Don’t be that quick to discard Kirk, who by the the middle of the season, will make an impact for the Cardinals.
Kirk is the most talented rookie wide receiver and he has an opportunity at serious playing time with the Cardinals, which lack a true second weapon next to Larry Fitzgerald. Kirk will have to battle his way up the depth chart, but eventually, I anticipate he’ll see his playing time increase.
Don’t overreact to the first few weeks. Be patient with Kirk and reap the benefits as the season progresses.
