List of Wide Receivers Sleepers (Part 1):
Here are some receivers outside of my Top 50 who can make an impact for your fantasy football teams this season.
Kenny Stills – Miami Dolphins…The Dolphins re-tooled their receiving core this offseason and it started with the trade to bring in deep threat wide receiver Kenny Stills. Stills played well last season for the New Orleans Saints becoming more of a factor as the season went along catching 63 passes for 931 yards and 3 TDs. Stills has a chance to be a major contributor on the outside with first round selection DeVante Parker recovering from surgery and the Dolphins’ best receiver, Jarvis Landry, a slot dynamo.
John Brown – Arizona Cardinals…Potential break out candidate John Brown plays the game a lot bigger than his 6’0 173 pound diminutive frame may suggest. After a successful rookie campaign last season the third round pick has bulked up this offseason and will likely see a spike in his production. Don’t be surprised if Brown leads the Cardinals in receiving yards as he will be a big play threat in Bruce Arians’ vertical offense. Let’s not forget Brown produced last season with quarterbacks Drew Stanton and Ryan Lindley. If Carson Palmer can stay healthy for all 16 games Brown can be a big steal on draft day.
Rueben Randle – New York Giants…Can this be the season fourth year pro Rueben Randle finally breaks out for the New York Giants? Some will argue Randle’s break-out season was last year catching 71 passes for 938 yards and 3 TDs, but I believe it will come this season as he is a good bet to finally eclipse 1000 yards for the first time in his career. Randle will see man-to-man coverage on a weekly basis as Odell Beckham will command double teams on the other side after his illustrious rookie campaign. Furthermore, I am not positive Victor Cruz will have a substantial impact this season after his gruesome knee injury in Week 6 last year, tearing his patella tendon which is a lot harder to come back from than an ACL injury.
Stevie Johnson – San Diego Chargers…Last season’s one year hiatus in San Francisco didn’t go as planned for Stevie Johnson having his worst statistical season since becoming a starter in the league. Now with the Chargers, Johnson will play with the best quarterback in his career Phillip Rivers and look to regain his 2010-2012 form. Stevie J is a prominent route runner who fits perfectly in the Chargers’ quick passing scheme and can become fantasy goodness in the later rounds. Target this guy as he is only 29-years-old and still have a lot to prove after his disastrous 2014 campaign.
Leonard Hankerson – Atlanta Falcons…Here’s a name that’s a DEEP sleeper, Leonard Hankerson missed all of last season with an ACL injury and healthy scratches for the Washington Redskins. He signed a 1-year deal with the Falcons and will be competing for the 3rd wideout position behind Julio Jones and Roddy White. “HankTime” is not a lock to become the third option in a Matt Ryan led offense as he will battle 4th round draft pick Justin Hardy and Devin Hester. But he comes into the season as a Kyle Shanahan guy considering the time they spent together in Washington. Hankerson’s size/speed combination has been untapped thus far in his career but Ryan will be the best QB Hankerson has played with to date and if he emerges as the number 3 receiver he can be an impactful player in the Falcons’ offense.
