Fantasy Sleepers Turning Into Fantasy Stars

Three weeks into the NFL season and an unimaginative start to the fantasy football season. With players such as Jamaal Williams being a top ten fantasy running back, this is what makes fantasy so thrilling. Before the year started, everyone always has sleepers. Some may continue to sleep throughout the season and some have taken tremendous strides. There are three players that I need to discuss in further detail.

D'Andre Swift

The University of Georgia produces running backs. The track record can speak for itself. Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and now D'Andre Swift. Swift has taken a duo role in a rebuilding Detroit Lions offense. Practically splitting carries with Jamaal Williams (33 to 28), Swift has been able to be a consistent force in fantasy football. The total rush yards will not be high like the top-tier runners, but Swift makes up for it in the passing game.

Swift does not have as many receiving yards as TJ Hockenson but leads the Lions in targets and receptions. Going in the third round and later in drafts this off-season, this is an outstanding value. Swift stands right now as the number 23rd overall player in full PPR formats and the number three ranked running back with 59.9 fantasy points. Jared Goff loves the dump-offs to his running back and leaves Swift in prime position to finish as a top ten running back in fantasy football this season. Another fun fact about Swift is that he leads the NFL in YAC (yards after catch) with 203. Swift SZN has arrived.

D.J. Moore

D.J. Moore has come a long way from when Steve Smith told him he was "going to smack the sh*t out of you" if he gave him two points in fantasy during his rookie year. DJ Moore finished as WR36 that season and has only improved since then. In 2019, Moore finished as WR16 and then as WR25 in 2020. Moore has pulled off back-to-back years of over 1,100 receiving yards and over 115 targets. He has established a thrilling rapport with new quarterback Sam Darnold and it seems to be working just fine.

Through three weeks, the Carolina Panthers are 3-0 and first place in their division. DJ Moore is a top ten fantasy WR being number nine, tied with Justin Jefferson. The Panthers took a catastrophic loss with Christian McCaffrey being sidelined with a hamstring injury but that is where DJ Moore will become an even bigger need to this offense. Moore has a massive target share of 30.1% which sits him at number five in the NFL. There is a high chance that the number increases over time with CMC's absence. D.J. Moore has the potential to finish as a top-five WR in fantasy football this season.

Mike Williams

I think almost everyone in the fantasy football industry can agree with this statement, it is about time! The world has been waiting for the season Mike Williams becomes a force and in his fifth year, it is happening. Big thanks to the new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and star quarterback, the wonder boy, Justin Herbert for unleashing the beast. Mike's best season came in year three where the receiver brought in 49 catches on 90 targets and 1001 receiving yards. Those numbers are on pace to be shattered this season. With already 22 catches on 31 targets, Williams is on pace for his best season yet. On pace to have over 115 catches on 160 plus targets, Williams is the best steal of fantasy drafts this season.

Mike was WR47 coming into drafts this offseason. He is 4th in touchdowns, tied 3rd in receptions per game, 4th in targets, and 5th in receiving yards. I do see the production slow down just a bit but not by much. This is Mike's ceiling but this sure is pretty. Being drafted in the eight-round or later, this man will be a league winner. To have a WR1 as a flex play is deadly. With Herbert leading the offense, this is just the start for Mike Williams.

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