Sleeper Candidates for Each NFL Team (2022 Fantasy Football)

Sleepers are players that have a strong chance to exceed expectations and can become surprise difference-makers for fantasy football managers. The exact definition of what constitutes a sleeper varies depending on who you ask, but most can at least agree on that much.

Our analysts combed through the NFL rosters and identified the best potential sleepers on every team. The results and accompanying justifications are below.

Previously, our analysts took a look at the most overrated and underrated players, the top rookies, the top breakout candidates on each NFL team, and more:

• Most Overrated Player on Each Team
• Most Underrated Player on Each Team
• Top Rookie on Each NFL Team
• Top Breakout Candidates on Each NFL Team
• Safest Pick on Each NFL Team
• NFL Head Coach & Staff Consensus Rankings
• Biggest Question for Each NFL Team
• NFL Offense Consensus Rankings
• Bold Predictions for Each NFL Team
• Most Polarizing Players on Each NFL Team
• Riskiest Players on Each NFL Team

Beyond our fantasy football content, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you prepare for your draft this season. From our free mock Draft Simulator – which allows you to mock draft against realistic opponents – to our Draft Assistant – that optimizes your picks with expert advice – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football draft season.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills
If new Bills starting slot receiver Isaiah McKenzie can just do what Cole Beasley did last season — 82 receptions for 693 yards, WR40 in PPR, WR48 in HPPR — he will vastly out-produce his ADP outside the top-65. Starting in a super pass-heavy offense will allow McKenzie the opportunity to soak up targets , as he has done when in previous stints. McKenzie flashed big-time upside in his solo spot start for Buffalo in Week 16 versus the Patriots. He caught 11 of 12 targets for 125 receiving yards and one touchdown.
– Andrew Erickson

Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa is a sleeper candidate to crack the top 12 fantasy quarterbacks this season. With offensive line upgrades, the addition of Tyreek Hill and Chase Edmonds, and an ascending talent like Jaylen Waddle, Tagovailoa could shock fantasy gamers with his boxscores this season. Tagovailoa finished top 12 in numerous accuracy metrics, so arm prowess isn’t a question. With an improved offensive ecosystem, this is his year to shine.
– Derek Brown

New England Patriots
Jonnu Smith is an athletic specimen (6-3, 249 pounds, 4.62-second 40-yard dash), and in the Week 3 preseason game, which the Patriots used as a real dress rehearsal, Smith and teammate Hunter Henry perfectly split first-team work at tight end (16 snaps, 9 routes). Smith could see much more pass-catching action this year.
– Matthew Freedman

New York Jets
Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson are younger and buzzier, but Corey Davis was the pass catcher who seemed to have the best rapport with young QB Zach Wilson early last season before injuries wrecked the year for Davis. It’s possible that Moore and Wilson are talented enough to marginalize Davis, but it’s also possible that Davis plays a more substantial role than most fantasy analysts are projecting.
– Pat Fitzmaurice

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens
Isaiah Likely ran an unimpressive 4.83-second 40-yard dash at 6-5, 245 pounds at his pro day, but other than that, everything looks good with Likely. As a senior, he had 59-912-12 receiving in 13 games. In Weeks 1-2 of the preseason, he had a perfect 12-144-1 on 12 targets and ran a route on 75% of the Ravens’ first-team offense — and then he rested with the starters in Week 3. It’s rare for rookie tight ends to make much of an impact, but Likely should get plenty of playing time in two-tight end sets for the Ravens, and he could be the No. 3 receiver in the offense after TE Mark Andrews and WR Rashod Bateman.
– Matthew Freedman

Cincinnati Bengals
What boxes do we want to be checked for a late-round tight end candidate? Athleticism. Check. Elite offense. Check. Opportunity. Check. Hayden Hurst is three for three and shouldn’t be slept on anymore. The camp reports for Hurst have all been glowing. He’s a dark horse top 12 tight end sleeper that could settle in with a high route per dropback rate.
– Derek Brown

Cleveland Browns
Franchise-tagged tight end David Njoku has a golden opportunity to break out in 2022 after an encouraging 2021. He set career highs in PFF grade (70.9, 10th), yards per route run (1.56, 8th), and yards after the catch per reception (7.0, first) among tight ends that commanded at least 50 targets in 2021. The Browns also released Austin Hooper, which should open up the opportunity for the athletic Njoku to take a major leap. Don’t be too quick to forget that Njoku already as a top-10 TE finish on his career resume. Even with Jacoby Brissett under center for the first 11 weeks, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Njoku lead this team in targets. Former Colts tight end Jack Doyle led the Colts in targets/receptions in the seasons started by Brissett a few years ago, which suggests that Njoku could be a prime buy-low target. The Browns offense ranks top-three in target share to TEs over the past two seasons under head coach Stefanski.
– Andrew Erickson

Pittsburgh Steelers
You cannot go wrong drafting a Steelers 2nd-round WR, because Pittsburgh seems to never miss on these guys. George Pickens broke out as a true 18-year-old freshman finishing 2019 as PFF’s 17th-highest-graded receiver in the nation (88.0). Ahead of future NFL wideouts…Jerry Jeudy, Justin Jefferson, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Injuries caused him to slide in the draft, but make no mistake. He’s a straight-up DAWG and already seems to have the No. 2 WR role locked in over Chase Claypool based on the team’s preseason usage.
– Andrew Erickson

AFC South

Houston Texans
There’s a strong chance that Dameon Pierce — PFF’s highest-graded running back from the FBS (92.0) in 2021 — carves out a role on early downs even though the team added Marlon Mack this offseason. He’s already seen work with the first team through training camp and rested as a “starter” during the team’s second preseason game. From the get-go, I think we see Pierce be a major fantasy factor to start the 2022 season.
– Andrew Erickson

Indianapolis Colts
The Colts don’t have a clear No. 2 receiver after Michael Pittman, but rookie Alec Pierce of the University of Cincinnati has reportedly had a strong training camp. The second-round draft pick is an impressive physical specimen who stands 6-3, 208 pounds, and has a 95th percentile speed score and 94th percentile burst score, according to PlayerProfiler. Pittman is the alpha receiver in Indianapolis without question, but the tall, fast Pierce could be the Colts’ designated lid-lifter, which could lead to some big weeks.
– Pat Fitzmaurice

Jacksonville Jaguars
Christian Kirk is already settling in as Trevor Lawrence’s favorite weapon. Kirk has been targeted on an insane 36.3% of his routes this preseason. While that won’t continue, Kirk can still vastly outproduce his ADP. Last year with DeAndre Hopkins banged up, Kirk was the WR35 in fantasy points per game. With a big-money contract in his back pocket, this could be the floor for Kirk in 2022.
– Derek Brown

Tennessee Titans
Dontrell Hilliard rested with the starters and key backups in Week 1 of the preseason, and then in Weeks 2-3, he played just 3-4 snaps on the first drive before heading to the sideline. The Titans have a run-heavy offense, starting RB Derrick Henry is 28 years old and coming off a foot injury and Hilliard has a three-down skill set and enters the season as the No. 2 back. He is likely to have a pass-catching role anyway, and he could provide massive value if Henry misses time.
– Matthew Freedman

AFC West

Denver Broncos
KJ Hamler is a downfield threat who can play on the perimeter and in the slot and will have some big weeks anyway with QB Russell Wilson — and if one of WRs Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton and TE Albert Okwuegbunam underperforms or misses time, then he could earn a windfall of extra targets.
– Matthew Freedman

Kansas City Chiefs
Once again, CEH has been thoroughly unimpressive this preseason, and Isiah Pacheco looks explosive. Although it may not happen all at once, Pacheco could eventually leapfrom CEH and that would make him a fantasy game changer.
– Joe Pisapia

Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders declined to pick up RB Josh Jacobs’ fifth-year option, so a changing of the guard at running back is inevitable. Maybe we’ll get a rare eighth-year breakout from Ameer Abdullah, but the better bet is that rookie Zamir White will start to eat into Jacobs’ early-down snaps, and it’s possible he’ll shove Jacobs completely aside. White is a powerful, violent runner with the potential to be a terrific goal-line back in the NFL.
– Pat Fitzmaurice

Los Angeles Chargers
Josh Palmer averaged over seven targets per game as a rookie and scored a touchdown in his three games with a 60% snap share. He was also extremely efficient in the end zone, catching three of his five total end-zone targets for TDs. With a downfield skill set that perfectly aligns with his big-armed quarterback, Palmer is one of my favorite late-round WRs to target. In addition, he’s got untapped potential should an injury occur to either Mike Williams or Keenan Allen, as he displayed last season. His separation skills — 71st percentile, equal to Keenan Allen, and 92nd percentile vs. single coverage — further showcase his versatility.
– Andrew Erickson

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys
Jalen Tolbert shouldn’t be dismissed because of his middle-round draft capital or his small school status in college. There was nothing small about Tolbert’s collegiate production. Over his final two collegiate seasons, he was sixth and fifth in deep receiving yards. Locked in as a weekly starter for Dallas, Tolbert could be 2020 Chase Claypool this season.
– Derek Brown

New York Giants
While many could be worried about Sterling Shepard’s return, this isn’t a coffin nail for Wan’Dale Robinson. Shepard poses a greater threat for Kenny Golladay, who looks like he’s dust at this point. With Shepard recovering from injury and Kadarius Toney already banged up, Robinson could lead this team in targets in 2022.
– Derek Brown

Philadelphia Eagles
I love the pass-catching back role Kenneth Gainwell stands to play this year for a more aggressive Eagles defense. Miles Sanders seems poised to fade away and Gainwell could be a very nice value in drafts.
– Joe Pisapia

Washington Commanders
When Carson Wentz is at his best, he’s checking down the TE position. Logan Thomas has flashed some serious upside and his recent injury stint, coupled with this lowly thought of Washington offense, makes him a forgotten man.
– Joe Pisapia

NFC North

Chicago Bears
One of my favorite cheap running back targets is Khalil Herbert. David Montgomery is in the final year of his rookie contract, and the new coaching regime will have no loyalty toward him. That could open the door for Herbert to earn a more significant role, which he more than deserves after how well he played in 2021. Herbert was PFF’s fourth-highest-graded rusher (84.6) from Weeks 5-8 with Montgomery sidelined. The rookie rushed for at least 72 yards in all four games. Montgomery rushed for 72 yards four times all season.
– Andrew Erickson

Detroit Lions
Jameson Williams is talented enough to hit the ground running whenever he returns. Although he may miss most of the first half, he has league-winning potential if everything clicks for him and Jared Goff down the stretch.
– Joe Pisapia

Green Bay Packers
It’s funny that Christian Watson was the Packers’ marquee WR selection in this year’s NFL Draft, but Romeo Doubs has overtaken him in fantasy ADP because Watson has been hurt and Doubs has been turning heads in training camp. Still, I’d rather bet on the 6-4 guy who ran a 4.36 at the combine and was drafted much earlier. It’s been a case of “out of sight, out of mind” with Watson in training camp, which has sent his ADP into freefall, but he’s healthy now and ready to begin his ascent up the Packers’ WR depth chart.
– Pat Fitzmaurice

Minnesota Vikings
K.J. Osborn flashed at times during the 2021 season, but never more so than when he filled in for Adam Thielen. From Weeks 13-17, the second-year pro averaged 12 half-PPR fantasy points per game to go along with six targets. Osborn will be the prime benefactor if Thielen starts to break down entering his age 32 season.
– Andrew Erickson

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons desperately need to turn this backfield over to a younger, faster back. Tyler Allgeier fits that bill. The offensive line is still awful, and the QB is right there with it, but there’s a path for a low-end RB2 finish for Allgier based on volume potential.
– Joe Pisapia

Carolina Panthers
Almost no one knows who WR Shi Smith is, but he ran a route on 80% of the first-team dropbacks this preseason and is likely to see regular work in three-wide receiver sets thanks to his role in the slot. He probably won’t be a big producer this year, but he’s free in fantasy, and we at least know that he’s slated to be on the field and running routes.
– Matthew Freedman

New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave is smooth and NFL-ready. Many are fading based on Michael Thomas’ improved health. However, the reason I’m buying is Thomas’ presence allows Olave to be in single coverage, and that’s how rookies succeed. I’m also of the mind Jarvis Landry is at the end.
– Joe Pisapia

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rookie RB Rachaad White looks just like Leonard Fournette’s backup. But there’s an outcome where he delivers massive upside. The Arizona State product ranked 1st in his class in receiving yards, No. 1 in yards per route run (2.24) and 2nd in receptions (43). He has league-winning potential if given the opportunity in the Buccaneers’ offense.
– Andrew Erickson

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals
Rondale Moore is only 5-7, 181 pounds, but he’s a little stick of dynamite. As an 18-year-old freshman at Purdue, Moore had 114 catches for 1,258 yards and 12 TDs, and he ran for another 213 yards and two TDs. He only played seven more college games due to injury and the decision to opt out early from the COVID-shortened 2021 season, and his rookie season was disappointing mostly because the Cardinals didn’t have a suitable role for him. If Kliff Kingsbury slides Moore into Christian Kirk’s vacated slot role and keeps him there, a second-year breakout is a distinct possibility.
– Pat Fitzmaurice

Los Angeles Rams
Ok. We’ve all had a good chuckle at Tutu Atwell’s size and draft capital, but the Rams’ diminutive speedster could be on track to make some noise this season. We need to be reminded of Atwell’s talent. His 2019 collegiate yards per route run (4.33) was the fourth-highest mark among wide receivers over the last five years (minimum 50 targets). Don’t be surprised if (or when) he steals Van Jefferson’s job and becomes the team’s WR3 and field stretcher.
– Derek Brown

San Francisco 49ers
Trey Sermon has looked painfully average this preseason. Elijah Mitchell is already ailing. Jeff Wilson is the JAG incumbent that can be hopped on the depth chart. Among 65 running backs with at least ten carries this preseason, Tyrion Davis-Price ranks 15th in yards after contact per attempt and third in missed tackles forced. Davis-Price could be the goalline back in a stellar 49ers’ offense.
– Derek Brown

Seattle Seahawks
Generally, the second running back selected in the NFL Draft wouldn’t be considered a sleeper, but Rashaad Penny is said to have the starting RB job in Seattle locked up, and now Ken Walker is dealing with a hernia. Still, Walker is an exceptional prospect who ran for 1,636 yards and 18 TDs at Michigan State last year and blazed a 4.38 time at the NFL Scouting Combine. There’s a good chance Walker becomes fantasy-viable at some point this season, and given Penny’s injury history, it could happen quickly.
– Pat Fitzmaurice

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Trade Analyzer – which allows you to instantly find out if a trade offer benefits you or your opponent – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.