The definition of “fantasy football sleepers” has evolved with time. Years ago, they were players who the general public had never heard of, let alone considered as a legitimate fantasy asset.
The AFC West is in a state of transition as the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos are all rebuilding and looking to challenge the Kansas City Chiefs. Each team has its own underrated pick for the late rounds of your fantasy football drafts.
Fantasy Football Sleepers | AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
We know who the Chiefs are, and that means finding a sleeper on this roster is largely an exercise in futility. Wanting a piece of Kansas City’s offense is logical, but it’s also what drives the ADPs up for the six primary players.
I think Rashee Rice is a Round 2 pick if not suspended, so that makes him a nice pick at cost right now, but that could change at a moment’s notice. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is in the final year of his rookie deal and could be fighting for his NFL life if given the opportunity.
For his career, CEH averages one touchdown for every 27.9 touches. That’s a good enough rate to give him the leg-up over Deneric Prince for the RB2 role behind Isiah Pacheco.
I don’t see a universe in which KC’s offense goes to a two-back system where multiple options hold standalone value. However, handcuffing a workhorse in one of the best offenses in the game isn’t a bad way to spend your final selection.
Los Angeles Chargers: Kimani Vidal, RB
I live life trying to eliminate uncertainty. I check the weather before I go for a run, consult the menu before I go out, and refuse to play games of chance. Some call me boring. Many, actually.
This is where I let my hair down. When I’m drafting in the late stages, I’m all in on chaos. Give me a backfield that lacks role clarity and comes preloaded with a run-centric playbook, and I’ll take a flier on just about anyone.
Kimani Vidal is in that spot this season. The Bolts are without Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler this season. Gus Edwards cashed in on a career season with the explosive Ravens, and J.K. Dobbins is trying to come back from yet another serious injury.
To say the Chargers’ offense is searching for answers would be an understatement, so why can’t Vidal be the answer?
He totaled over 3,000 total yards during his final two collegiate seasons and has the frame (5’8”, 215 pounds) of an instant-impact RB.
To keep with the analogy, Vidal busting would be like catching a single raindrop during a run or an Italian restaurant not offering veal parm. It’s a setback, but the day is not ruined.
At cost, there’s no real risk in scooping Vidal and playing the waiting game. You’re not planning on playing any of your reserves in the early going, and there is certainly the potential for Vidal to develop with time into a part of your weekly Flex conversation by November.
Denver Broncos: Marvin Mims Jr., WR
Coming out of drafts, I want my bench to be loaded with talents I believe in or players attached to a coach I trust. Marvin Mims Jr. is certainly the latter, as we haven’t seen enough of him at the professional level to make strong statements. However, Sean Payton has the sort of résumé that demands respect.
The Broncos dealt Jeudy to the Browns in March, opening up a role for Mims to step into. That’s not to say he’ll be a supreme target earner, but if Mims generates even five looks per game (something that 50 receivers did last season), his speed could be interesting more often than not.
Mims averaged 17.1 yards per catch last season and 20.1 in his final season at Oklahoma. Denver will have to keep up with three teams that have their franchise quarterback on the roster during the fantasy playoffs, an environment that could make Mims an asset for undermanned teams looking to pull off a major upset on their way to fantasy glory.
Las Vegas Raiders: Jakobi Meyers, WR
Jakobi Meyers was hardly drafted at all last season but produced in a meaningful way (71-807-8 in 16 games) despite limitations under center. Yet, he’s available in the 12th round of most drafts, with a handful of kickers currently holding a higher ADP.
Make it make sense.
Most are operating under the assumption that Aidan O’Connell will lead the Raiders in pass attempts this season when all is said and done, so let’s drill down on that a bit.
O’Connell’s passes last season …
- Davante Adams: 19% under expectation with four scores on 108 targets
- Jakobi Meyers: 12.2% over expectation with four scores on 55 targets
You could argue regression if you’d like, but at this asking price, I’m happy to take the flier on Meyers simply fitting O’Connell’s eye. There is increased target competition thanks to the drafting of Brock Bowers, but is it not at least possible that the addition of a reliable target is a net positive for Meyers?
The Raiders were a bottom-10 offense in terms of staying on the field (third-down conversion rate and time of possession) and generating scoring chances (red-zone drives) last season. If a few fewer targets mean an increase in every target as a whole, I’m fine with that.
It’s not crazy at all to think there is more juice to squeeze here than out of Tyler Lockett, a take that seems spicy given the difference in ADP.
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