Finding sleepers is every fantasy owner’s dream. But the quarterback position is a little different, because chances are you won’t need a sleeper to field a competitive fantasy team.
In standard-scoring, 12-team leagues, there are enough usable QBs to go around, so you shouldn’t have to reach for a sleeper. Why spend a late pick on frequently undrafted Joe Flacco (208.5) when you can have Jameis Winston (165.9) or Matt Ryan (178.7), both of whom have a better chance of being consistent fantasy producers?
Not to mention: You can get Flacco on waivers later.
But there are some leagues that have a “superflex” spot that allows for a second starting QB. Other leagues have more teams, spreading the “safer” picks across more teams, leaving less for each owner to choose from. Or maybe, you just like being the smartest guy in the room — the guy who makes the pick league mates scoff at, only to throw it back in their face when that player is a fantasy success.
Whatever the reason you may be looking for a sleeper QB, they can be found. Just make sure you are searching for the right reasons.
Our main late-round target is Winston. He has a stud receiver in Mike Evans, a quality secondary target in Vincent Jackson and a tight end with potential in Austin Seferian-Jenkins. He has a stable running game with Doug Martin to warrant defensive attention and a stellar pass-catching RB in Charles Sims to help bail him out of trouble. The Madman is expecting a nice progression for Winston in his second season.
Though we sort of dissed Flacco earlier, he is a prime QB sleeper candidate. The offense shouldn’t be near as bad as it looked last season, when Flacco missed significant time. Between Steve Smith Sr., Kamar Aiken and Mike Wallace, Flacco has tough, reliable and speedy options. In new tight end Benjamin Watson, along with young options Crockett Gilmore and Maxx Williams, he should be able to find a reliable TE outlet. We don’t trust Flacco from week to week, but he will have two or three monster games.
If you’re looking for blind (i.e. unlikely) upside, there’s Brock Osweiler (194.7) or Ryan Fitzpatrick (191.4). They both have some bona fide stud targets, though between a checkered career history or virtually no career history, there is a reason they often go undrafted.
But if we’re drafting a QB that deep in hopes of huge upside, we’re going to take Robert Griffin III. With rookie Corey Coleman, last season’s breakout TE Gary Barnidge, perhaps the best pass-catching back in the league in Duke Johnson and former Baylor teammate Josh Gordon returning in Week 5, there is potential.
Certainly, don’t make RG3 your QB1, but you insist on a late flier, he is the best gamble.
