A fantasy draft is all about obtaining the most value with each selection. Value is available throughout a draft, and grabbing it is one of the most important keys to a successful fantasy team. This article specifically targets deep sleeper value (players that can be found very late in a fantasy draft). To point out this value, we asked our staff to look deeper than the Top 150 and identify players that should significantly outperform their late draft position. These players should be your targets after the 12th round of your draft.
Here are the players who received the most votes:
And here are all of the players mentioned and the reasons why.
Players Receiving 4 Votes
Parris Campbell, New York Giants
Craig Lakins: The Giants made the 26-year-old Campbell their highest-paid wide receiver this offseason. Despite four disappointing seasons in Indianapolis marred by injuries, New York is keen on making him a large part of their offense. Reports out of mini-camp suggest they could utilize him out of the backfield while he fills the role vacated by Richie James. Campbell should get a healthy dose of designed touches to make him an attractive late-round target.
Sigmund Bloom: Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins both qualify too. The bottom line is that Daniel Jones and the Giants pass offense should be better in year two under Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka. With Wan'Dale Robinson possibly starting the season on the PUP list, Campbell should get the role that Robinson turned into instant fantasy relevance last year, including some touches out of the backfield, which the Giants have been preparing him for in OTAs. Campbell finally turned the durability corner last year, and he could get closer to his high ceiling in his first year with the Giants.
Kevin Coleman: I may take a swing on Campbell again this off-season. The New York Giants wide receiver room is a complete mystery, but we have seen flashes of his talent when healthy. We saw last season that Daniel Jones targeted his slot receiver, and if Campbell can win that job, then there will be targets to be earned. He's worth a long-shot dart throw in PPR leagues for that alone, and his playmaking ability could elevate this offense. Head coach Brian Daboll knows how to get the best out of his players, and Campbell feels like one of those talents he could work with.
Andy Hicks: Campbell was a second-round pick in the 2019 draft but had an awful first three years in the NFL, playing less than a third of the games possible. He finally got a run of fitness in 2022 but ran into an awful Colts offense to tank any chance of good numbers. Taking his chances on a very average Giants receiving group may be one of the smartest free-agent moves in the offseason. He is all upside, and number one receiver upside at that, for the cost of a kicker.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Joseph Haggan: As a fourth-round rookie, Doubs was actually the Packers' best receiving threat for a stretch early in the season. Doubs made seven consecutive starts from Week 3 to Week 9, earning 42 of his 67 targets on the season during that stretch. He turned those 42 targets into 250 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Doubs then was out with injury, only to come back as the team's third receiver down the stretch. He finished his rookie season with 425 receiving yards and three touchdowns. With Jayden Reed, the only obvious addition and likely the team's slot receiver, Doubs should be locked in as the starting wide receiver across from fellow sophomore Christian Watson. Doubs has the opportunity to put up potential WR3 numbers on the season.
Sigmund Bloom: With the change to Jordan Love at quarterbacks, it's not certain who the No. 1 receiver will be for the Packers. Doubs looked like Love's favorite target in OTAs, and Love even said throwing to Doubs has built his confidence in the second-year receiver. Love admitted that his deep ball form hasn't been ideal, and that's the area of the field where Christian Watson (who is going 10 or more rounds ahead of Doubs) does his damage. Doubs leading the team in catches is well within the range of outcomes.
Jeff Bell: Hunt ambiguity. Few teams have as much as the Packers at wide receiver. Doubs out-snapped and out-targeted Christian Watson last year in one less game played. Early camp reports indicate Doubs has emerged as a favorite target for Jordan Love. Doubs' current ADP at 158 suggests he will go undrafted in many leagues. He should establish himself in two wide receiver sets and could be a steadying presence within the offense.
Andy Hicks: Romeo Doubs was a very popular sleeper pick in 2022. With 30 catches, over 300 yards, and three touchdowns in his first seven games, he was on track for a great debut season. Then he got injured, and Christian Watson started to shine once Doubs recovered. Now he is almost an afterthought in fantasy rankings in his second season. There aren't many downsides for Doubs and starting fantasy receiver upside.
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers
Jason Wood: Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark Jr are the presumed starters, but both come with question marks. Thielen is past his prime, and Chark has struggled to stay healthy. Neither has more chemistry or familiarity with the system than rookie Jonathan Mingo. Mingo is a well-rounded receiver who can run the full route tree. This wouldn't be the first time a rookie quarterback (Bryce Young) developed a lasting rapport with a young receiver rather than the older, flawed veterans "ahead" of him on the depth chart.
Ben Cummins: Mingo didn't have an impressive production profile at Ole Miss, compiling only 897 total receiving yards in his first three seasons prior to amassing 861 yards and 5 touchdowns as a Senior. Yet he was just selected 39th overall at the top of the second round by the new Panthers' regime to be a big-time playmaker for Bryce Young. Mingo has impressive size as he was listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds at the combine and showed impressive athleticism running a 4.46 40-yard dash, a 39 1/2-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-9 broad jump. And he'll have plenty of chances to flash his size and athleticism on the field as a rookie contributing to a thin Carolina receiver depth chart headlined only by 33-year-old Adam Thielen and journeyman DJ Chark.
Jeff Haseley: Jonathan Mingo's athletic profile far exceeds any other receiver on the Panthers roster. His lack of experience may not translate to immediate success. However, the Panthers' talented coaching staff and the veteran presence of Adam Thielen, among others, may be enough to develop Mingo faster than it otherwise would. Mingo has the speed and breakaway ability to make plays after the catch, but he also has a knack for making tough, contested catches look routine. He did not put all of his potential success together at Mississippi and only showed periods of brilliance without a consistent, complete resume. Quarterback Bryce Young is a student of the game and may be the key to helping unlock Mingo's full potential. He is the future of the Panthers' receiving corps with an A.J. Brown-like skill set. In many people's minds, the question for Mingo is when not if.
Andy Hicks: If Jonathan Mingo and fellow rookie Bryce Young connect early, then it will not take long for Mingo to be one of the steals of your fantasy draft. Adam Thielen is approaching his mid-30s, and DJ Chark is an uncertain proposition at the best of times. Probably a better dynasty selection, but his value and upside factor in strongly here. Watch for news during training camp.
Player Receiving 3 Votes
Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams
Ben Cummins: Just two years ago, Matthew Stafford threw for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns. Both Stafford and Van Jefferson were injured or got injured last season but are currently healthy. Jefferson projects as the clear WR2 in a productive pass-first offense, and the Rams defense projects to be bottom half in the NFL, creating more shootout environments this year.
Gary Davenport: This marks at least the second consecutive summer fantasy managers have tried to talk themselves into Jefferson after his 50/802/6 line on 89 targets in 2021. Last year, it ended badly, with a banged-up Jefferson barely making a dent in the box score. But just about everything ended badly last year for the Rams, and if you believe that Matthew Stafford is healthy, you have to have Jefferson on the late-round radar. He projects as the No. 2 receiver for a pass-first team playing opposite Cooper Kupp, who should draw approximately all the coverage ever. Jefferson was WR36 two years ago in PPR points. There's a real chance he can not only meet that mark in 2023 but exceed it.
Chad Parsons: Cooper Kupp and Tyler Higbee are the lone bankable receiving weapons for the Rams, but Jefferson is the next best bet. With Rounds 2 pedigree and enough NFL experience, Jefferson is in the rope window where even modest receivers make a leap to their career peak, even if a muted one.
Another 26 Names
There were 26 other wide receivers who got attention for being possible deep sleepers. Here they are.
Players Receiving 2 Votes
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Hutchinson Brown: It's been a couple of years, but people seem to forget that Michael Gallup, in 2019 and 2020, put up 1950 yards, and in his 2021 campaign, he was impressive when healthy. He's coming into the season with Ceedee Lamb as his only really strong competition. He definitely has a shot to be the number two in this offense. Their tight ends are all questionable. It's tough to trust Brandin Cooks at his age, coming off a pretty down season where on film, he didn't look amazing like he has in years past. Lastly, Dallas just lost a huge component of their running game and didn't replace him. Could a step up in passing attempts be coming? If so, that ups the chances of Gallup getting a great target count in this offense. Get him LATE in your drafts!!
Chad Parsons: Gallup was a shell of himself when he finally returned from his significant 2021 injury in 2022. However, Gallup has additional time to be 100% for 2023 and has a top-20 finish under his belt. Dallas' passing game can run through three wide receivers as the tight end production projects to take a step back, and both Gallup and Brandin Cooks stand to benefit should the other miss time or if CeeDee Lamb is out of the lineup.
Isaiah Hodgins, New York Giants
Phil Alexander: I won't argue if you prefer Darius Slayton, Wan'Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, or Parris Campbell as your favorite late-round New York Giants' pass-catcher. But unlike his aforementioned competitors, Hodgins showcased a connection with Daniel Jones as a possession receiver in 2022, commanding at least five targets in five out of the team's final six games. He also demonstrated impressive red-zone skills, making five catches and scoring four touchdowns on five targets. A disastrous training camp is the only thing standing between Hodgins and a starting job in three-receiver sets, which would make him low-end flex-worthy in PPR leagues.
Gary Davenport: Not that long ago, Hodgins was a fantasy postseason darling—a waiver add who helped many a playoff run. In four of the last five regular-season games he played in, Hodgins piled up double-digit PPR points. In New York's playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings, Hodgins had his best game of the season—eight catches on nine targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. His rapport with Daniel Jones was evident. Yes, the Giants added Parris Campbell and Darren Waller in free agency, but both those players have durability issues. Hodgins is being written off too soon—and fantasy managers who take a late flier on him stand to benefit from that.
Richie James, Kansas City Chiefs
Jeff Haseley: The Chiefs made the decision to sign James to a relatively meager one-year, $1 million contract in the offseason. James started his career primarily on special teams, but he has worked his way into an increased receiving role, especially last season in New York, where he and Saquon Barkley tied for the team lead in receptions with 57. James has a knack for finding moments of success and eventually becoming a reliable target in the offense. The Giants were hit with several injuries in their receiving corps last year, which helped James elevate his game. He was the 20th-ranked PPR wide receiver after Week 10 last season, and now he finds himself on one of the best offenses in the league. Kansas City has several options at wide receiver, and it is possible that James won't even make the team, but as a last pick in drafts this season, he is a worthy gamble.
Chad Parsons: James produced a string of noteworthy games with the Giants, and his quick twitch style can blend well with Patrick Mahomes II and Andy Reid, maximizing after-the-catch possibilities. Kadarius Toney has yet to show durability or a significant workload for long, and James offers a discount version of Toney.
Terrace Marshall Jr, Carolina Panthers
Daniel Harms: The Panthers brought in a lot of experience to their coaching staff and wide receiver room this offseason, but Marshall should see a lot of involvement in their offense with the speed and talent he provides. There's a new, young quarterback in town with Bryce Young at the helm and a lot to figure out, but Marshall should be involved. He played roughly 90% of his passing snaps on the outside in 2022, but Reich should move him around a good amount and use that speed to find mismatches. This is the year for Marshall to get it right in the NFL.
Sigmund Bloom: Marshall hasn't lived up to his 2021 second-round pick billing yet, but that's because he was banged in his rookie year and in Matt Rhule's doghouse last year. Once Rhule was fired and Robbie Anderson was traded, Marshall showed what he could do, averaging 17.5 yards per catch and converting first downs on 24 of 28 of his receptions. The Panthers traded away D.J. Moore, creating a big vacancy in the target shares, and Marshall could be first in line to get Moore's downfield targets. D.J. Chark was added in free agency, but he's recovering from offseason surgery and isn't known for his durability. Adam Thielen was added too, but he's merely a short/intermediate target at this point. Jonathan Mingo could be a big factor in the future, but this year's second-round pick needs to acclimate to the NFL. Marshall should have as big a role as he can earn this summer.
John Metchie III, Houston Texans
Kevin Coleman: Before he was diagnosed with Leukemia, Metchie was drafted 44th overall, and the Texans had a plan for the young receiver. Now that he is healthy and ready to bounce back in 2023, he's a name to watch as you look for options later in the draft. The Texans are looking for go-to wide receivers in the offense, and Metchie could become their go-to slot guy. He has the talent and showed at Alabama he could be a WR1 in the SEC.
Joey Wright: In 2021, at the University of Alabama, John Metchie had 1142 receiving yards on 96 receptions with 8 touchdowns. Hopes were high for the Houston Texans as they used a 2022 second-round draft selection, 44th overall, on Metchie. Sadly, a leukemia diagnosis in July derailed not only his season but his life. The good news is Metchie is set to play for the Texans to start the 2023 NFL season. The Texans do not have a clear top receiving option on the team, considering the only major additions following the departure of Brandin Cooks were a 2023 third-round pick in Tank Dell and former Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz. Metchie is currently being drafted as the 76th wide receiver and has upside far exceeding said value.
Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Ben Cummins: Mims is a fast receiver (4.38 40-yard dash) who produced all three seasons at Oklahoma. He posted lines of 37-610-9 as a freshman, 32-705-5 as a sophomore, and 54-1083-6 as a junior. He won deep on the outside and vertical from the slot and converted many deep targets into receptions with great ability at the catch point down the field. Mims profiles as a boom-bust vertical weapon that can take the top off of a defense, at least early on, evidenced by his 22 yards per reception as a sophomore and 20.1 yards per catch as a junior. But he landed in an ideal situation after Sean Payton traded up to select him in the second round despite the Broncos having minimal draft capital due to the Russell Wilson trade. Mims' skillset pairs well with Wilson. Look for him to make noise as the season goes on.
Jeff Haseley: Marvin Mims brings a new dimension to the Broncos' offense with his impressive speed and playmaking abilities. He rose above his competition at the NFL Combine, but he also has shown his worth on the field at Oklahoma. The combination of Russell Wilson and Sean Payton's offensive ingenuity makes Mims a candidate to be a key member of the receiving corps in 2023. At worst, he is what Denver wanted from K.J. Hamler before injuries affected his play. At best, he transforms the offense and becomes a fixture as the team's main possession receiver.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos
Jason Wood: Patrick missed the 2022 season due to a knee injury, rendering him largely forgotten in early drafts. However, neglecting his contributions to the Broncos' offense could be a mistake. While Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy are favored more in drafts, that might not be the correct prioritization. Patrick was impressively consistent in 2020 and 2021, providing a vertical threat to an offense that was in desperate need of game-breakers. The veteran receiver is now healthy and was a standout in the Broncos' mini-camp. His undeniable chemistry with Russell Wilson could easily propel him past Sutton as the No. 2 fantasy option.
Kevin Coleman: Patrick was one of those deep sleepers last season until he ore his ACL and was out for the year. Before the 2022 season, though, he had back-to-back 700-yard seasons and averaged just over 80 targets in the Broncos offense. In this new Sean Payton offense, Patrick can carve out a role if he can beat out Marvin Mims in training camp. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy have not been able to consistently stay on the field in their career, which could open the door for Patrick to get snaps. There were rumors that he and quarterback Russell Wilson have developed a great chemistry, one we could see manifest itself on the field.
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts
Jason Wood: Pierce didn't light up the scoreboard as a rookie (41 receptions, 593 yards, 2 touchdowns), but he showed enough promise in a disastrous Colts team construct to hint at bigger things. This is particularly true with a new coaching staff and, presumably, better quarterback play as rookie Anthony Richardson steps into the huddle. Pierce, a physical marvel (6-foot-3, 215 lbs) with blazing speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash at the Combine), is a perfect fit for Richardson's style of play. Pierce has as good a chance of leading the team in receiving touchdowns as anyone, including Michael Pittman.
Matt Waldman: Justin Shorter earned 577 yards and 2 touchdowns in 9 games with Anthony Richardson and the Florida Gators, averaging 19.9 yards per catch. Shorter is a contested-catch receiver with size but lacks anywhere near the speed of Pierce, who also specializes in contested targets. Pierce will be one of the top three options in this passing game with Richardson at the helm and likely the second-most productive with the Colts no longer allowing Parris Campbell to tease them. Pierce begins his second season in the condition we often hear about with young receivers who put themselves in the position to improve their overall game. Because of the uncertainty surrounding Richardson's first year as a decision-maker, Pierce isn't earning the projected bump many with his first-year stats would. I'm confident enough in Richardson that Pierce should outperform his current ranking.
Allen Robinson II, Pittsburgh Steelers
Andy Hicks: After a disastrous season with the Rams, Robinson lands in the last-chance saloon with the Steelers. With three fantasy top-12 receiver rankings to his credit, the upside is clearly there. The downside is his other six seasons. Once training camp reports start filtering in, we should know where he slots in the pecking order. A fully fit and engaged Robinson will be an easy choice at his current ranking.
Matt Montgomery: Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment here, but I am willing to go back to the well with Robinson here. He goes to an up-and-coming quarterback, and seeing as he is the third receiving option, the pressure won't be as high as it was in Los Angeles. We probably won't see him return to the Jaguars form he showed us in 2015, but he can and likely will impact the Steelers and your fantasy teams.
Justyn Ross, Kansas City Chiefs
Matt Waldman: I have described the Chiefs' offensive pie as a large dish, but the staff and quarterback don't divide the pie into a lot of pieces. Investing early in Travis Kelce and Kadarius Toney is logical. Mid-round picks for Skyy Moore and Marquez Valdes Scantling? Not so much. A late pick for rookie Rashee Rice, who arguably lacks the knowledge and skills Moore possessed as a rookie? No thanks. Ross is a different matter. Arguably one of the top-five receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft class solely on the basis of his on-field skills, Ross' complicated health history, which is more promising than it appears, scared off teams. Andy Reid says Patrick Mahomes II trusts Ross, which is huge. Ross has possession receiver route skills and contested-catch acumen. Beat writer Nate Taylor has Ross on the roster bubble, but the analysis appears based on proven talents and draft capital and not skills.
Chad Parsons: Ross is a complete wildcard on a Chiefs' depth chart of ‘good enough' wide receivers but no clear alphas. Ross was on a phenom trajectory at Clemson before a career-threatening injury. Ross has a unique skill set compared to the rest of the receivers, and with the WR1 rolled up for grabs, Ross is a worthy late dart through camp and the preseason.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Matt Waldman: An average-sized receiver with enough speed to win outside and the catch radius and focus to make big plays against tight man-to-man coverage, Shakir delivered valuable in-game moments during the season, including third downs and in the fourth quarter. It's one of the reasons Josh Allen has told the media that he has a lot of trust in the second-year starter. Shakir is the only option who physically has the route-running potential to replace Stefon Diggs in this offense as a true wide receiver who can win one-on-one outside -- not Gabriel Davis. Dalton Kincaid will likely be the No.2 option in this offense by year's end, but Shakir's knowledge of all three receiver positions will make him a valuable option who could deliver significant production if one of Diggs, Davis, or Kincaid gets hurt.
Phil Alexander: Shakir was a non-descript fifth-round draft pick out of Boise State last season, but his profile showed an impressive blend of speed, burst, and collegiate production. When he was pressed into starting duty in Week 5 against the Steelers, Shakir posted a useful 5-3-75-1 receiving line. More importantly, the Bills showed added trust in the rookie when the games mattered most. Shakir was targeted seven times during Buffalo's two playoff games, combining for five catches for 91 yards. His familiarity with the offense gives Shakir a leg up over free agent signees Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harty for the No. 3 receiver role. The Bills spent a first-round draft pick on tight end Dalton Kincaid, but there is evidence his year-one contributions are being overstated. And given Gabe Davis' uninspiring 2022 campaign, it's conceivable Shakir emerges as Josh Allen's No. 2 target.
Tyquan Thornton, New England Patriots
Ben Cummins: One of the biggest fantasy football developments this offseason was the New England Patriots hiring a legitimate offensive coordinator in Bill O'Brien. Look for Mac Jones to bounce back in a big way and that will propel second-year receiver Tyquan Thornton to new heights. Thornton (4.28 40-yard dash) projects to play a ton, even if DeAndre Hopkins is signed, as he brings juice to an offense that desperately needs it.
Jeff Haseley: Tyquan Thornton's biggest asset is his blazing 4.28 speed, which is impressive for a receiver with 6-foot-2 height. As a rookie, Thornton cut his teeth in the league that included a scattering of eyebrow-raising plays, which was enough to show his potential if his volume increases. The Patriots' offense figures to see a boost with Bill O'Brien in the fold as the team's offensive coordinator. Thornton's second year could see a spike that results in 50 receptions and 5 touchdowns which is enough to be utilized as a flex option in your league.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kansas City Chiefs
Jason Wood: Will Valdes-Scantling be the Chiefs' top receiver? No. However, as a late-round selection in deeper leagues, he's a logical choice. No Chiefs' receiver is a known commodity. Kadarius Toney, who has yet to prove himself, goes several rounds earlier. Sky Moore, despite his promise, has yet to show his worth at the NFL level. With JuJu Smith-Schuster's departure in free agency, Valdes-Scantling could see an increase in targets as part of a high-performance committee. His appeal particularly lies in best-ball formats where predicting his game-by-game performance isn't necessary.
Daniel Harms: We all know the player that Marquez Valdes-Scantling is, and while he has his warts, there's a world where his 2022 goes differently. He and Mahomes made some sweet magic on downfield throws, and there were some missed opportunities for wide-open, deep touchdowns. Those attempts aren't going anywhere, and he's the only wide receiver among the presumed starters that can live on the outside and likely won't come off the field. There's a lot of upside for Valdes-Scantling, and he's been falling down boards a lot with Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney hype. Valdes-Scantling is a great value.
Players Receiving 1 Vote
Chase Claypool, Chicago Bears
Matt Montgomery: In a pivotal year for their quarterback, I would expect that the Bears feature their most physically dominant receiver to help assist the passing offense. With the signing of a credible receiving in DJ Moore and Darnell Mooney being more of a slot option, I expect Claypool will get a lot of 1-1 options, especially in the Redzone. Oh, how quickly we forget that in his rookie year, he scored 11 touchdowns.
Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals
Corey Spala: The potential value found within a depleted receiving room is evident. Dortch played 50% of the snaps in eight games in 2022 and accumulated 59 targets. Marquise Brown figures to lead the team in receiving; the rest is a mystery. The new coaching staff drafted a third-round wide receiver, but the ball will always find talent. If Dortch finds himself on the field more and is utilized properly, he could be a dark horse for a 100-target season. Why not take a free shot on Greg Dortch as WR103?
Colton Dowell, Tennessee Titans
Kevin Coleman: I couldn't leave one of my favorite deep dart throws off this list. A 7th-round selection by the Titans, Dowell tested off the charts during the pre-draft process. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver posted a 41.5-inch vertical and 133-inch broad jump which helped him post a 94.5 relative athletic score (RAS). With that size and athleticism and the Titans' lack of weapons outside of Treylon Burks, he's a name to watch as the off-season progresses. If you hear positive buzz during the pre-season, Dowell is a name to watch on your waiver wire.
Mecole Hardman Jr., New York Jets
Matt Montgomery: New team, new motivation! Hardman drew the receiver lottery going from one sure-fire Hall of Fame quarterback to another. He is currently listed as the No. 3 receiver on the depth chart, which shouldn't matter much with a veteran like Aaron Rodgers behind the center. It is realistic we could see Hardman as a better version of Marquez Valdez-Scantling and be a deep threat that Rodgers isn't afraid to show off. Hardman is a sneaky pickup that could pay off massively.
Mack Hollins, Atlanta Falcons
Craig Lakins: Between Hollins and Drake London, the Falcons seem to have a type. The big-bodied veteran proved himself a reliable weapon last season for Las Vegas. The Falcons were a frustrating team to expect receiving production from in 2022 due to run-heavy playcalling and abysmal quarterback play. Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder provides at least a seed of hope for a better passing game. Hollins could earn enough targets to be a factor in 2023.
Ty Montgomery, New England Patriots
Corey Spala: Montgomery scored a receiving touchdown in the first game last season. He did not play the rest of the season due to injury. New England may look to take workload off Rhamondre Stevenson, and this pass-catching role Montgomery may claim is intriguing. In PPR leagues, a target is worth 2.74 times more than a carry. Take a shot deep in your drafts, and hope Montgomery does claim this receiving role. This is the upside I am swinging for late in drafts. At worst, you can drop and replace on waivers like you would with any late-round pick.
K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings
Joey Wright: The warning signs saying to avoid drafting KJ Osborn in 2023 are understandable. The Minnesota Vikings have two more talented wide receivers in front of him in Justin Jefferson and rookie Jordan Addison. Not to mention, tight end TJ Hockenson was a top-fifteen player in red zone targets last season. How much work will be left over for Osborn? Well, these warning signs have been there the last two seasons, and Osborn still manages to be fantasy relevant. Last season, Osborn finished as the WR45 in PPR and has back-to-back seasons with at least 80 targets and five touchdowns. Osborn doesn't provide breakout upside, but he is a dependable player who has not missed a game in the past two years and is going remarkably late as the WR67. Even as the fourth-best option on the team, he still should receive enough work to be a serviceable bye-week replacement.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns
Dave Kluge: Peoples-Jones quietly had a career year in 2022, amassing 839 yards and three touchdowns. While the production isn't anything to write home about, his role change was significant. Through his first two years in the league, Peoples-Jones was used almost primarily as a field stretcher. Last year, his target depth dropped significantly as he showed some versatility as a route-runner. His target share jumped to a career-high 19% as he put his first good season on tape. Many drafters expect Elijah Moore to be the team's WR2, but Peoples-Jones did enough last year to keep his role in 2023.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Matt Waldman: If there's a Stefon Diggs Starter Kit in this draft, it's Reed, who has the skills to learn all three receiver positions. Like Diggs in Minnesota, Reed will begin his career in the slot. He's already earning starter reps in OTAs when the Packers use three-receiver sets. Jordan Love is an unproven starter on a rebuilding team. Game scripts like the Detroit Lions during recent seasons could be the norm. Reed could earn a high volume of targets in the middle of the field -- volume we saw from Amon-Ra St. Brown as a rookie. Samori Toure, his main competition, will generate buzz, but Reed is starting his career with a lot better foundation of skills than Toure last year. Reed should prove he's the better option. Packers' receiver coach Jason Vrable, told Reed that the rookie reminded him on and off the field of Randall Cobb.
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Jeff Bell: A wide receiver player with Patrick Mahomes II will break out eventually. Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney are ineligible to be picked here; Rice lands as the next guy up. Mahomes has raved about Rice's quick acclimation in OTAs. Juju Smith-Schuster fell just shy of 1,000 yards last year, and his departure opens a need for a secondary target behind Travis Kelce to develop.
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Sigmund Bloom: Michael Thomas's ADP indicates that no one is buying him to stay healthy this year. That means that Shaheed is a top-two receiver on a team that theoretically should get an upgrade at quarterback going from Andy Dalton to Derek Carr. Shaheed was only in on 42% of the offensive snaps as a rookie undrafted free agent last year and posted a 28-488-2 line on only 34 targets. If he can get up to 75-80 targets, he could flirt with a 1000-yard season as the designated deep threat.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Dave Kluge: Injuries have plagued Shepard's career, but he's a dominant force when on the field. Despite an ACL tear in 2021 and a ruptured Achilles in 2022, he's already back at camp and looking healthy. In the small sample we saw from his last year, he averaged 46.8% of his team's air yards, second-most in the league behind only DJ Moore. Over the 26 career games he's played with Daniel Jones, he's averaged 8.2 targets per game. There's obviously risk in drafting a 30-year-old receiver coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries, but he's worth a flier at the end of your draft.
Robert Woods, Houston Texans
Gary Davenport: Generally speaking, I target youth and upside late in fantasy drafts. Lottery tickets. But every now and again (in other words every year), there's a high-floor geezer that catches my eye. This year, it's Robert Woods, who, at the Methuselan age of 31, is on his third team in as many years. Woods was a disappointment last year in Tennessee, catching just 53 passes. It was even worse the year before in an injury-marred season with the Rams. But Woods is healthy and determined to prove he has something left, and the Houston receiving corps is, um, yeah. C.J. Stroud is going to need a “go-to” guy, and it's not outside the realm of reason Woods could be it. Now stop laughing. It's rude.
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Rachel Tootsiepop
