Seahawks fans who play Fantasy Football are very familiar with sleepers who unexpectedly far outplay their projected values. In fact, three of the team's current expected starters were such deep sleepers, that they went totally undrafted in most leagues in past seasons. In 2012, Russell Wilson had an electric preseason, won the starting QB job as a rookie, and finished as a Top 10 Fantasy QB on NFL.com. In 2015, Doug Baldwin was considered more of an important real -life contributor than a Fantasy asset, yet he had a career season and finished as the seventh-ranked WR on NFL.com. Also last year, Thomas Rawls went undrafted by both the Seahawks and Fantasy leaguers, yet he ended up scoring 118.60 Fantasy points on NFL.com in only seven starts.
This season, there are seemingly no true sleepers on the Seahawks roster, as Tyler Lockett is a popular breakthrough Fantasy pick, and Christine Michael is stirring a lot of buzz. To truly help you unearth some real Fantasy sleepers, we have to go even deeper than that. So here are 12 players who should outperform their perceived values, and could be terrific fliers for you. In the spirit of the Seahawks fan of course, we of course give you that number of 12 to choose from. And if you read on, there is indeed one more Seahawks sleeper to uncover. There always should be one, as longtime fans of the franchise will recall Dave Krieg and Chris Warren being the embodiment of the word from the NFL perspectives many years ago.
1. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo
He has a current NFL.com Average Draft Position of 140.79, putting him in the 15th round. He has the best nickname in the NFL (T-Mobile) and the Bills are committed to him as a longer-term starter. Taylor is a dual threat as both a runner and passer and should improve as a pocket thrower this year. If you choose to wait on your Fantasy QB, he has the potential to be a Top 10 starter with weapons such as Sammy Watkins and Charles Clay.
2. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit
Many Fantasy players are writing him off because Calvin Johnson has retired. But Stafford now has more diversity and balance among his receiving crew, something that was lacking during most of the Megatron era. Stafford has always been a potent passer and still has promise, especially with a NFL.com ADP of 143.22.
3. Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers
He is set to rebound after he struggled in his first pro campaign. Gordon's current ADP is 105.38, putting him in the 11th round of NFL.com drafts. The Chargers drafted his college fullback, Derek Watt, to improve the blocking and are hoping for better health on the offensive line. Gordon has looked more confident during the preseason and has shown some signs of rejuvenation.
4. C.J. Prosise, RB, Seahawks
While Michael has starred during the preseason, there has been much less chatter about the rookie Prosise, who's been slowed by a hamstring injury this summer. But that does not mean you won't see him be a significant Fantasy contributor down the line. Make sure you snag Prosise in the final rounds of PPR formats. He gives the Seahawks a unique dimension in the passing game that have not featured yet during the Wilson era, and could become the team's version of a Darren Sproles or Theo Riddick later in the schedule.
5. Wendell Smallwood, RB, Eagles
Here is another rookie of note, and right now, he is barely making the draft cut in NFL.com leagues. Smallwood has an ADP of 150.89, putting him in the 16th round. The Eagles drafted Smallwood for his versatility, and while he is lower on the depth chart right now, he could be pressed into service if injuries dictate he is used more at some point during the season. When he does get his chance to play, Smallwood will especially be useful in PPR leagues, yet he will have appeal in all formats.
6. Chris Thompson, RB, Redskins
The Redskins will throw the ball a lot this season, and Thompson has already shown himself to be their best pass-catching RB. He is a terrific late round pick in PPR leagues. Thompson caught 35 passes in 13 games last year and that number is sure to rise, and if the preseason is any indication, he could be asked to carry the ball some as well.
7. Travis Benjamin, WR, Chargers
He has a current NFL.com ADP of 136.90, which means he is getting drafted in the 14th round. Benjamin flashed big-play ability at times with the Browns last year, and now he is playing with Philip Rivers. He will be a perfect complement to a dominant Keenan Allen and Benjamin's Fantasy owners should expect a breakout campaign.
8. Rishard Matthews, WR, Titans
Rookie Tajae Sharpe is making preseason headlines in Tennessee right now, but Matthews will prove to be the team's most dependable chain-mover at WR when the regular season begins. Matthews is tough and makes the catches in traffic, and he will be especially productive in PPR formats. He can easily be nabbed in the final rounds of your draft.
9. Phillip Dorsett, WR, Colts
Andrew Luck should put a lost season behind him, and the third WR in the Colts passing game will become Fantasy relevant this year. Dorsett has serious downfield potential and will make big plays frequently. He is a must-own at his current NFL.com ADP of 150.52, putting him in the 16th round.
10. Chris Hogan, WR, Patriots
He is going off NFL.com draft boards two slots after Dorsett, at 150.59. The Patriots have always done a great job of plucking promising players from divisional rivals (Danny Woodhead, Wes Welker) and now they have plucked Hogan from the Bills. He is a big, crafty target who should fit in immediately and will have some starting potential in Fantasy leagues very soon.
11. Clive Walford, TE, Raiders
The Oakland offense should improve even more this year, and Walford is expected to play a bigger role in his second NFL season. Walford has a current NFL.com ADP of 149.71 and is well worth the flier in the latest rounds.
12. Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams
It's rare when a rookie TE makes some noise in Fantasy leagues, but Higbee has the potential to do so. Higbee is a former WR who has already displayed some natural pass-catching skills in the preseason. He could end up as a frequent mid-range target in the still-developing Rams passing game.
Scott Engel is a 20-year veteran of the Fantasy Sports industry and an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. For more in-depth advice and a full suite of Fantasy draft prep information from Scott and the team at RotoExperts.com, register for the Xclusive Edge Fantasy Football package right here. Seahawks.com readers get a special discount by entering promocode "seahawks" at checkout.
