R.C. Fischer recaps Season 3 of his Very Deep Sleeper series for FantasyPros.
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Well, Season Three of ‘Very Deep Sleepers’ is in the books. With 17 episodes/reports logged this summer, I’m going back to do a quick check-in on the entire VDS group and do so in a ‘draft style’ to wrap up the 2018 series — if I only had my 2018 Very Deep Sleeper players/prospects to choose in a special draft, what would my order/picks be today for the 2018 season?
Here are my follow up notes and ‘draft’ of the 2018 Very Deep Sleeper class of 2018:
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#1) S3, E5: Taylor Gabriel (WR – CHI) (Article Link)
I think everyone is sound asleep on Gabriel as a major weapon, a Tyreek Hill-lite for the Bears. He didn’t do much in the preseason because he had a mild injury/was held out but did play a few snaps late in the preseason. He’s fine. If you got suckered on Anthony Miller as the Bears’ #2 wide receiver, I feel sorry for you. You’ll see why within two-to-three weeks of watching Gabriel in this offense. My draft guide rankings and Week 1 projections on Gabriel are way, way ahead of the experts at large.
#2) S3, E9: Quincy Enunwa (WR – NYJ) (Article Link)
Might have been my #1 pick overall, except the Jets forced noodle-armed Sam Darnold into the mix and I’m not sure how well this plays for fantasy purposes now. The #1 wide receiver for the Jets is trading like a chump in preseason redrafts; he’s a huge bargain pick. Mostly ignored because he had a neck injury that had him miss all of last season and most of this preseason. He’s the Jets’ best wide receiver by far, and I love Robby Anderson — but Anderson’s style and Darnold’s small-ball ways do not mix well for fantasy.
#3) S3, E17: Curtis Samuel (WR – CAR) (Article Link)
Best-looking young wide receiver of the 2018 preseason for me, and I watch and study every game in detail. He could be the best of this VDS class by 2019 season.
#4) S3, E3: Albert Wilson (WR – MIA) (Article Link)
I thought Miami would have jettisoned ‘bust’ DeVante Parker by now, opening the door fully for Wilson, but they haven’t (yet). However, Parker will miss two-to-three games to start the year opening the door a bit for Wilson. He’s quickly going to show why they made him their highest paid wide receiver this offseason.
#5) S3, E13: Taywan Taylor (WR – TEN) (Article Link)
One of the five best young WRs I watched this preseason. He could be the #1 on this list but that Titans offense looks like something from the 1990s and Taylor is not starting, despite being the only playmaker of the preseason. I trust Taylor because I don’t trust Mike Vrabel.
#6) S3, E8: Kenneth Dixon (RB – BAL) (Article Link)
I could see Alex Collins fumbling away his starting role; he’s had trouble with that in the past. Dixon is the Ravens’ most well-rounded running back, but he’s also the one with the worst history (injury, suspension). He could be a shock starter by Week 4-5.
#7) S3, E14: Tyler Boyd (WR – CIN) (Article Link)
Quality wide receiver. Could be good for four or five catches a game; a PPR WR3/flex option with upside. The Bengals’ stoic offense limits his fantasy upside some.
#8) S3, E11: Cordarrelle Patterson (WR – NE) (Article Link)
Could be #1 on the list if we knew the Pats would play him 50% of the offensive snaps per game…and they might. If they do, it may be glorious for fantasy. He was the Pats’ best playmaker of the preseason, but worked almost always with the second team. I don’t see a real commitment to CP by the Patriots (yet).
#9) S3, E6: Blake Jarwin (TE – DAL) (Article Link)
Not listed as the starting tight end, but essentially starting for Dallas – he’s the receiving threat tight end for Dallas and he has some Travis Kelce-like mannerisms.
#10) S3, E1: Luke Willson (TE – DET) (Article Link)
I thought he could have Travis Kelce-like potential, but he’s been a dud in the preseason, and then hurt. The whole Lions team has been a dud this preseason so I’m not sure what to think. He is the listed starter for Week 1 (if healthy).
#11) S3, E12: Tyler Kroft (TE – CIN) (Article Link)
Cooling my jets some here as C.J. Uzomah played a lot of snaps ahead of Kroft in the preseason.
#12) S3, E2: Trent Taylor (WR – SF) (Article Link)
I really like Taylor, but the 49ers have the deepest WR depth chart in the NFL. Hard to see Taylor breaking out playing 40-50% of the snaps, but he might be a four-five+ catch a game guy in the right circumstance.
#13) S3, E16: Jake Kumerow (WR – GB) (Article Link)
Kumerow would have been top five had he not got put on I.R. and will miss at least half the season. He’s got a great shot to be the Packers #3 WR later this season.
#14) S3, E15: Dan Arnold (TE – NO) (Article Link)
The WR-to-TE long-shot convert made the 53-man roster. It’s a sign in the right direction.
#15) S3, E10 Ryan Switzer (WR – PIT) (Article Link)
Maybe he deserves a better status here? I just can’t figure him out. The Raiders trade for him on purpose and Dallas dumps him during the NFL Draft. The Raiders say sweet things all preseason, and then dump him to the Steelers for nothing. Something doesn’t smell right behind the scenes.
#16) S3, E4: Derek Carrier (TE – OAK) (Article Link)
I’ve not seen one sign that Carrier is going to do anything more than block for the Raiders this year. If any breakout is coming, there’s been no sign of it this preseason.
#17) S3, E7: Davis Webb (QB – NYJ) (Article Link)
Instead of pressing Eli Manning, Webb was cut from the New York Giants and now works for the other New York team. I thought Webb really took a step forward this preseason. I hope someday the Giants regret this move.
Good luck in fantasy football this year and beyond!
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