Trashman’s Garbage Grab: Draft Edition

A new fantasy season is upon us my friends, and with it comes a treasure trove of unappealing players who just might move the meter on game day. I’ve compiled here a list of deep sleepers who you won’t find on the cheat sheet yet still offer a glimpse of upside as the dregs of your fantasy drafts. Hope you brought your nose plugs…

 

Running Back

Jeremy Hill, Patriots: Hill has always had a middling YPC average since he joined the NFL, but if he can gain a foothold on the goal line job in New England, he could be the second coming of LaGarrette Blount. Rex Burkhead has a tear in his knee, just the sound of makes me cringe, and though he’s expected to play through it, it’s not a great start to the season. Rookie Sony Michel is also dealing with a knee issue and has struggled with fumbles in camp – We all know how Bill Belichick feels about fumbles. The Patriots are known for giving new life to has beens, and Jeremy Hill may just become the latest example.

 

Jonathan Williams, Saints: Williams’ value may only last as long as Mark Ingram is out (4 games), but that’s enough to give you a leg up in most leagues. Williams will split time with Alvin Kamara over that time, and we know that two backs can thrive in the Saints offense. He’s worth picking up just to see what he’s got. You’ll know after week 1.

 

Travaris Cadet, Bills: Cadet’s usefulness is based on whether McCoy becomes ineligible to play this season due to domestic abuse charges, but if that does indeed occur, he’ll be that change of pace back behind Chris Ivory on a team that runs the ball more than any other team in the league. He’s not a sexy a pickup by any means, but he could serve some purpose in PPR leagues if McCoy isn’t around.

 

Wide Receiver

 

John Brown, Ravens: According to those in and around Ravens camp, no other player has made as many plays on offense as the fleet-footed Brown. He’s always been a threat to go deep at any time, but his health has been known to fail him at the most inopportune times. Should he keep his Sickle-Cell trait issues under control though, Brown could end up being the de facto no.1 receiver in Baltimore – Which isn’t a necessity since his big play ability keeps him relevant regardless.

 

Trent Taylor, 49ers: Taylor has been a favorite target of QB Jimmy Garoppolo thus far in the preseason as his primary slot-receiver. We liked Taylor a lot at the Senior Bowl last year with his knack for getting open and ability to shed contact. The 49ers first offense has been able to move the ball fairly easily this preseason, and Taylor has been a major factor to that end. He’s going to be extremely useful in PPR leagues this year.

 

Geronimo Allison, Packers: Allison isn’t the most special of athletes, but he always seems to be in the right place at the right time when he’s on the field. I thought he could have success in the NFL when I wrote about him as a rookie in 2016, and it looks like that’s coming to fruition as he’s quietly positioned himself as the no.3 receiver in Green Bay. On the opposite side of the field, Davante Adams has perhaps toughest schedule in football, possibly leaving Aaron Rodgers with no option but to include the rangy Allison in more of his plans. Don’t be surprised if he ends up breaking out this season.

 

Jaron Brown, Seahawks: Averaging more than 15 YPC over his last three seasons in the league, Brown has always had the ability to stretch the field, but he rarely got the opportunity to build up consistency in a rotating cast of Arizona receivers. Now a Seahawk, Brown is making a case to start opposite Tyler Lockett on a regular basis. While Lockett and Doug Baldwin are currently sitting due to injury, Brown has lead the Seahawks in receiving so far this preseason, and he’s doing it with style, racking up major gains down the field. Paul Richardson amassed 700+ yards and 6 TDs in the role Brown is presumably being groomed for in 2017 before going to Washington, so it’s well within reason that Brown could have a productive year if Seattle’s plans continue on their current course.

 

Tight End

 

Ed Dickson / Nick Vannett, Seahawks: Ed Dickson was brought to Seattle to replace Jimmy Graham, but his health hasn’t been serving him well as he’s been dealing with an ever lingering groin injury. His outlook isn’t promising, and that leaves an opportunity for third year player Nick Vannett to step into the starting tight end role in Seattle. Graham had 10 TDs last year as a primary red zone target for Russell Westbrook, and Vannett could see ample end-zone targets as the starter.

 

Jordan Leggett, Jets: Rookie QB Sam Darnold is on his way to starting week 1 of the NFL season for the Jets, and if he’s anything like 99% of rookie QBs, he’s going to have to rely on his tight end. There’s a battle going on at the position between five different ends currently, but Leggett seems most likely to separate himself from the pack at some point. He’s not an exceptional talent, but few Jets skill players are. If he wins out, Leggett will soak up targets in his first real season – Injury kept him off the field his entire rookie season.