Fantasy Football Sleepers 2021: Sutton and Williams highlight AFC West potential sleepers

The AFC West is one of the most competitive divisions in football, with every team harboring playoff ambitions. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl the last two seasons, but they won’t have an easy road to the postseason. Luckily, we don’t have to worry about team predictions for 2021 fantasy football and can focus on fantasy points. Outside of the superstars, though, who are the top AFC West fantasy football sleepers in 2021?

AFC West fantasy football sleepers for 2021

Starting in Denver, in a sea of skill positions, which Broncos’ player is the fantasy community sleeping on?

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have one of the more talented rosters in the AFC, but the team hasn’t had a winning record since 2016. The Broncos are at a crossroads at QB, and it threatens to derail the season before it even begins. The quarterback situation is up in the air, with Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater competing to become the starter. Few teams have a higher ceiling, but their floor could be disastrous, and that is why so many players are fantasy football sleepers.

Courtland Sutton, WR | ADP: 77 (WR33)

The Courtland Sutton vs. Jerry Jeudy debate has rumbled on since the season ended. Jeudy showed the explosive plays that fantasy managers love to see from their wide receivers but struggled with drops. That’s not the end of the world, and he could overcome them, but he might not see the opportunities he did as a rookie.

Sutton’s torn ACL opened up targets, and his return could take them away. Both receivers could be productive with either QB, but with Jeudy, we’re hoping for a breakout similar to the one Sutton has already had. If it weren’t for injury, then Sutton would be drafted considerably earlier. He’s a prototypical outside receiver who posted over 1,100 yards and 6 touchdowns when he was last healthy. He’ll remind everybody how good he is this season.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Super Bowl loss to the Buccaneers caused Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid to re-think things. The blueprint to slowing down the offense is out there, and while few teams can dial up pressure like the Bucs, every defensive coordinator will try.

In response, the offensive line has been completely re-built, and they’ll hope that it helps Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce ascend to an even higher level.

Darrel Williams, RB | ADP: 223 (RB60)

Things didn’t go perfectly for Clyde Edwards-Helaire last season. As a first-round pick joining the best offense in football, big things were expected. He finished the year as the RB22, scoring just 5 touchdowns. The Chiefs will hope for better from him, but they’ll look to Darrel Williams if a change is needed.

With Le’Veon Bell and LeSean McCoy out of the picture, Williams suddenly finds himself second on the depth chart for the 2021 NFL season. At the very least, he’s one of the best RB handcuffs in fantasy football. He’ll be a change-of-pace option who can take the load off CEH. Williams could see more touches if he performs, a perfect recipe for running back fantasy football sleepers.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are still early in the Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock era, but the team desperately needs to discover an identity. Derek Carr, Darren Waller, and Josh Jacobs have performed well, but they’ll need other players to step up if they want to attract fans to their new home.

Henry Ruggs III, WR | ADP: 127 (WR53)

Henry Ruggs had a disappointing rookie campaign, but he’s perfectly positioned to take a big step. He was selected 12th in the 2020 NFL Draft with the expectation that he’d help lead the Raiders’ passing attack.

Waller is still the top target in the passing game, but Nelson Agholor’s departure will open up targets. Ruggs will be competing with Hunter Renfrow and newly-signed John Brown to be the No. 2 option. Ruggs is unlikely to be a WR1 in fantasy this year, but few players were as dangerous as he was in college. If the Raiders can get him the ball in space, then he’ll make things happen.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are one of several teams that would be in contention for the unluckiest in the NFL. Every season, there seems to be a new scenario that breaks fans’ hearts.

Nevertheless, the Chargers have drafted cornerstone pieces on both offense and defense in the last few years. Thus, the arrow looks to be pointing upwards. With Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Keenan Allen all likely to go early in fantasy football drafts, there isn’t much room for others to emerge as sleepers, but there is talent all over the roster.

Mike Williams, WR | ADP: 119 (WR43)

Mike Williams is the No. 2 WR for one of the most exciting offenses in football. He hasn’t always delivered on his potential in the past, but he’s a big-play threat who can change your fantasy matchup in an instant. Williams has had a season with 1,000 yards receiving and another with 10 touchdowns but hasn’t put it all together.

Herbert had an outstanding rookie season, and Williams will dramatically outperform his ADP if his quarterback can take another step. At a time in your fantasy draft when your competitors are filling bench spots, why not take a shot on a player with upside?

Andy Gallagher is a fantasy football and NFL writer for Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter @AndySGallagher and find more of his work here.