When it comes to your fantasy football draft, the first rounds are pretty cut and dry. The first pick will be Justin Jefferson, Christian McCaffrey or Ja’Marr Chase. But as you move down into the later rounds, you start using more time with your picks. You start second-guessing yourself: Do I have enough running backs? Do I need another tight end? The later rounds and identifying the right fantasy football sleepers can drive you nuts!
First, don’t think you’re alone. Too many managers have been in the same spot. In this article, we will analyze three players that might be on the outer fringe of your draft but a player that might not have crossed your mind and should be considered in your last rounds of drafts.
Fantasy Football Sleepers (2023): Last-Round Targets
(ADP courtesy of Sleeper)
Rashid Shaheed (WR, New Orleans Saints)
Current ADP 224.9 overall | WR79
Rashid Shaheed‘s rookie season wasn’t something to go nuts about. Still, he did show moments where he was ready to shine. He had 28 receptions on 34 targets for 488 yards. He was averaging 17.4 Yards Per Reception (YPR) with two touchdowns. Now, bring in Derek Carr for the 2023 season and give Shaheed a starting role in three wide receiver sets. Let’s see if the sophomore season can be a productive one as a potential breakout fantasy football sleeper.
One thing to remember, on a team like the Saints, there are weapons everywhere. Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson and Alvin Kamara will all have their opportunity to shine this year, too. It doesn’t stop there. You also have new additions Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams and Foster Moreau, who all will cut into those targets. But the big story will be Michael Thomas being healthy and able to play this year. After only playing 10 games in the last three years, 30-year-old Thomas looks to try and bounce back and be a threat the Saints have missed.
The same old question comes up when discussing the Saints: Will there be enough targets to go around to this crew? If Shaheed doesn’t get at least six targets per game, he will be a touchdown-dependent wide receiver. That won’t get you any smiles late in your draft. However, you might be able to squeak out a few wins with him on those bye weeks.
Kenny Pickett (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Current ADP 188.2 overall | QB24
Leading the black and gold for the 2023 season is Kenny Pickett. After a less-than-stellar rookie season, he looks to take the keys from coach Mike Tomlin to lead the Steelers back into the playoffs and, hopefully, another Super Bowl. In his rookie season, he threw 245 completions for 2,404 yards with seven touchdowns in 13 games. He also added 237 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 55 attempts.
Pickett is surrounded by weapons on all sides. Diontae Johnson and George Pickens will lead the wide receivers, while Pat Freiermuth will be the sure-handed tight end. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren lead the running backs. One of the keys looks to be the Steelers defense. If they come out and get some stops, they will give Pickett great field position, leading to more scoring opportunities.
Targeting Pickett as one of your last-round fantasy football sleepers will not light the world on fire or end it. Still, many managers are sleeping on the Steelers this year. It might be your chance to get a great backup for your bye weeks and maybe a breakout quarterback season.
Dawson Knox (TE, Buffalo Bills)
Current ADP 166.5 overall | TE18
Going into his fifth season, Dawson Knox looks to increase his role for 2023. He finished 2022 with 48 receptions for 517 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 10.8 yards per reception. The Buffalo Bills are once again a favorite to win the Super Bowl. They have added Dalton Kincaid at the tight end position. Kincaid and Knox could see time playing together, putting one at tight end and letting the other run from the slot.
Knox is going late in drafts. However, don’t let that stop you from targeting him as one of your fantasy football sleepers. Josh Allen wants weapons on that field – weapons he can trust. If there is one thing for sure, Allen trusts Knox. In four years with the Bills, Knox has caught 20 touchdowns. The most he has caught in a season was nine in 2021.
Since the Bills didn’t bring in a big-name receiver tis offseason, look for them to use the weapons they have. Knox is on the fringe in most leagues but well worth a late-round pick.
Let me know what fringe players you have on your radar this season!
Thanks for reading my fantasy football sleepers to consider in the last rounds of drafts. Looking for more fantasy football draft advice? Follow me on Twitter @sdcochran99.