Fantasy Sleepers 2.0 and Jonathan Taylor News Reactions
Aug 30, 2023
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Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck discuss Jonathan Taylor's injury and its impact on his fantasy value. They update their list of fantasy sleepers and categorize them into tiers. The hosts also discuss sleeper wide receivers and late-round picks for fantasy football drafts. They read listener emails and share a lighthearted personal story about unintentionally naming a Wi-Fi network 'ISIS HQ.'
Jonathan Taylor will miss the first four games of the season for the Indianapolis Colts.
Marvin Mims, Jaden Reed, and Jalen Hyatt are overlooked rookie receivers with fantasy sleeper potential.
Brian Robinson Jr., Alexander Mattison, Rashod Bateman, Zay Flowers, and Jalin Hyatt are sleeper picks in fantasy drafts with the potential for solid fantasy production.
Deep dives
Marvin Mims, Jaden Reed, and Jalen Hyatt: Rookie Receivers with Late Round Value
These three rookie receivers, Marvin Mims, Jaden Reed, and Jalen Hyatt, are often overlooked in fantasy drafts but have the potential to be steals. Mims, playing with Russell Wilson in Denver, has impressed during the offseason and is poised to be the team's number two receiver. Reed, playing alongside Jordan Love in Green Bay, has shown promise in the preseason and could benefit from an efficient offense. Hyatt, with the Giants, has flashed his potential in limited playing time and is worth consideration as a late-round flier.
Brian Robinson Jr.: High Upside Running Back for the Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. is an underrated sleeper pick at running back for the Washington Commanders. Despite getting shot in the leg twice, Robinson showed resilience and performed well last season when given the opportunity. With Washington expected to have a more high-powered offense this year, Robinson has the chance to step up and make an impact. With his physical running style and potential goal-line work, he could outperform his ADP and provide solid fantasy production.
Alexander Mattison: Elite Handcuff with Standalone Value
Alexander Mattison is a standout handcuff option with the potential for standalone fantasy value. In the games where Dalvin Cook was sidelined, Mattison displayed his ability to perform at a high level, averaging 19 fantasy points per game. With the Vikings expected to have a more up-tempo offense this season, Mattison could see an increased role and become a valuable asset in fantasy leagues. He is currently being undervalued and can be a steal in the middle to late rounds of drafts.
Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers: Talented Receivers in a New-Look Ravens Offense
Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers are two sleeper wide receivers to target in fantasy drafts. Bateman, a first-round pick, and Flowers, a rookie from Boston College, are both poised to make an impact in the high-powered Baltimore offense. With the potential for increased passing volume and an improved passing attack, both receivers could see significant opportunities and provide solid fantasy production. Keep an eye on them as late-round fliers with upside potential.
Key Point 1: The Giants' wide receiver Jalin Hyatt shows promise for a productive season
Jalin Hyatt, a rookie wide receiver for the New York Giants, has impressed in preseason games by consistently getting behind defenses and making big plays. Despite concerns about his ability to compete against larger, stronger corners in the NFL, he has shown the versatility to be moved around the formation, allowing him to exploit double moves effectively. With limited competition among the Giants' wide receivers, Hyatt has a good chance of moving up the depth chart and becoming a valuable starter later in the season.
Key Point 2: Underrated running backs with high potential for fantasy football
Several lesser-known running backs have the potential to be valuable fantasy football assets. Players like Jaylin Warren for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tank Bigsby for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ty Chandler for the Atlanta Falcons, and Jeff Wilson for the Miami Dolphins are worth monitoring and potentially stashing on your bench. While they may not start the season as starters, their usage could increase over time, particularly in the second half of the season when rookie receivers typically emerge. These running backs should not be overlooked in fantasy drafts, as they could provide significant value as starters or flex options.
Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck open by reacting to the news that running back Jonathan Taylor will miss the first four games of the season after the Indianapolis Colts announced they won’t be trading him before the start of the season (2:07). Next, they revisit and update their list of fantasy sleepers by categorizing them into various tiers, from overlooked guys in the earlier rounds to the deepest of sleepers (19:16). Finally, the guys close with emails (57:16).
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Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck
