2020 Fantasy Sleepers: WR
Top: JuJu Smith-Schuster (Pittsburgh)
Analysis: After last season Smith-Schuster’s fantasy stock is going to be much lower than it was heading into your 2019 drafts. Keep an eye on him. Roethlisberger is back, but even if he suffers another serious injury there are free agent Quarterbacks out there that would be an upgrade over Rudolph and Hodges. Smith-Schuster’s stats should make a run at his 2018 numbers and that keeps him in the low end WR1, high end WR2 range.
Rookie: Michael Pittman (Indianapolis)
Analysis: Rivers loves his big-bodied targets and Pittman is a large man (6’4, 223 pounds). I like Hilton and I believe Campbell has the talent to be a star, but Pittman is a whole different animal, the kind defenses have nightmares about. Keep an eye on him through preseason.
Others:
Anthony Miller (Chicago)
Analysis: In 2019 he increased his receptions by 19, his yardage by 233, but he had 5 less touchdowns. Foles will at some point this year be the starting Quarterback in Chicago which signals an even bigger increase in production and more stability under Center. I like him as a double-digit round Receiver selection who could turn into a regular starter for you before the season is over.
Robby Anderson (Carolina)
Analysis: When you’re joining a new team as a Receiver it’s always nice to do it with a new Quarterback coming to town at the same time. It puts you and the other starters all on the same playing field when it comes to rapport. Anderson has speed to burn, but I think he’s going to get more use in Carolina than just running fly routes. Teddy is a smart, capable Quarterback. I don’t think he’ll turn Anderson into a star Receiver, but he does give him a chance to be a reliable fantasy starter.
Preston Williams (Miami)
Analysis: He went into last season as an undrafted rookie and finished it on the IR. In between all that he played in 8 games, posted 4+ receptions in 6 of them and 60+ yards in 4 of of them. He was building up to big things and then he tore his ACL. As long as he is fully recovered, he’ll give Tagovailoa a nice 1-2 punch on the outside.
Deep Sleeper: John Hightower (Philadelphia)
Analysis: I’m cheating a little here and listing a second rookie, but it’s in a different category, so it’s alright! I’m a lot higher on Hightower than I am on Jalen Reagor, Philly’s first round pick. The Eagles are currently rolling with Alshon Jeffery who is 30 and has missed 9 games in the last two years, and DeSean Jackson who is 33 and hasn’t played a full 16 game season since 2013. There are going to be lots of opportunities for Philly’s rookie wide outs, and I think Hightower is going to take the opportunity and run with it.
