The NFL season has begun, and the excitement for fantasy Football is building. With managers looking for a differentiator in their team, having a sleeper is critical to gaining an advantage in an increasingly competitive league. So, join us as we examine the Top 20 NFL Sleepers for 2022.
In fantasy football, a sleeper is a player who is drafted lower than they should be. Furthermore, with the possibility of scoring big from otherwise undervalued players, sleepers could provide managers with a lot of bang for their buck.
So, without further ado, here are the Top 20 NFL Sleepers for 2022.
20 NFL Sleepers to Watch in 2022
The following list was compiled using reliable sources such as NBC and USA Today.
Before we go any further, here are the Top 20 NFL Sleepers for 2022.
| Name | Position (Average Draft Position) |
| 20. Kareem Hunt | Running Back (RB22) |
| 19. Jamaal Williams | Running Back (RB41) |
| 18. James Robinson | Running Back (RB19) |
| 17. Chris Carson | Running Back (RB17) |
| 16. Gus Edwards | Running Back (RB 30) |
| 15. Emmanuel Sanders | Wide Receiver (207 OVR) |
| 14. Marquez Callaway | Wide Receiver (133 OVR) |
| 13. Michael Gallup | Wide Receiver (120 OVR) |
| 12. Courtland Sutton | Wide Receiver (79 OVR) |
| 11. Brandon Aiyuk | Wide Receiver (64 OVR) |
| 10. Dawson Knox | Tight End (TE26) |
| 9. Jared Cook | Tight End (TE15) |
| 8. Blake Jarwin | Tight End (TE30) |
| 7. Hunter Henry | Tight End (TE18) |
| 6. Jonnu Smith | Tight End (TE17) |
| 5. Trey Lance | Quarterback (QB20) |
| 4. Justin Fields | Quarterback (QB17) |
| 3. Trevor Lawrence | Quarterback (QB14) |
| 2. Jameis Winston | Quarterback (QB22) |
| 1. Jalen Hurts | Quarterback (QB12) |
20. Kareem Hunt
Kareem AJ Hunt is an American running back who currently plays for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League.
While Nick Chubb remains the top option, Kareem’s fantasy value will skyrocket if Chubb’s season is marred in some way.
Furthermore, given that the Browns use both Hunt and Chubb in their offense, the 27-year-old could turn out to be an absolute steal.
Kareem, on the other hand, finished in the top ten for RB scoring despite having an RB2 average draft position last season.
19. Jamaal Williams
Jamaal Malik Williams is a running back for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League.
Williams enters the season with high hopes for a successful season. Furthermore, with D’Andre Swift unlikely to start the season, Jamaal hopes to solidify his spot even further.
Meanwhile, even if Swift returns, it appears that the 27-year-old will be competing for touches on the field.
18. James Robinson
James Robinson, who ranks 18th, is an American running back who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Last year, James had a breakout season, surprising the NFL circuit with his performances. Furthermore, the Rockford native finished seventh in scoring for running backs.
While it would be premature to expect Robinson to reach similar heights this season, the 24-year-old will undoubtedly be the Jaguars’ go-to running back.
Furthermore, Travis Etienne’s season-long foot injury strengthens Robinson’s case for regular matches.
17. Chris Carson
Christopher Dewayne Carson is a running back for the Seattle Seahawks in the National Football League.
Carson is drafted 17th overall for running backs (RB) this year, despite strong performances in his previous three seasons. Furthermore, the Mississippi-born athlete finished 13th, 12th, and 11th in points per game in each of his previous three seasons.
As a result, Carson could end up being a huge steal at his current average draft position.
16. Gus Edwards
Augustus Edwards, also known as Gus Edwards, is a Liberian running back for the Baltimore Ravens.
With the arrival of quarterback Lamar Jackson, Edwards’ yardage and touchdown totals appear to be in jeopardy.
You might also be interested in reading about the current year’s Top 20 NFL Running Backs.
Gus, on the other hand, hopes to capitalize on being the primary back in a very offensive Ravens squad with J.K Dobbins out for the season due to an unfortunate ACL injury.
Emmanuel Niamiah Sanders, an American wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, enters the top 15.
Sanders does not have the best representation in the league, despite finishing 45th among receivers last season. Furthermore, Bill’sBills wide receiver is undrafted in the majority of fantasy leagues.
While not ideal, it puts Sanders on the flex list. Sanders, in collaboration with Josh Allen, could be the steal that managers have been looking for.
Similarly, with Allen putting up monster numbers last season, Sanders looks to capitalize on Allen’s penchant for going deep.
15. Callaway, Marquez
Marquez Antonio Callaway is a wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.
With Micheal Thomas out for at least six weeks, Callaway has an opportunity to cement himself as the Saints’ No. 1 receiver heading into the 2021 season.
Managers are also optimistic that the 24-year-old will have a breakout season. His strong preseason performance validates the coaches’ belief that Callaway will have a breakout season.
14. Emmanuel Sanders
Stepping into the top 15, Emmanuel Niamiah Sanders is an American wide receiver who plays for the Buffalo Bills.
Despite an impressive 45th rank among receivers last season, Sanders does not have the best representation in the league. Furthermore, Bill’sBills wide receiver is undrafted in most leagues.
While not ideal, it puts Sanders in flex consideration. Teaming up with Josh Allen, Sanders may turn out just the steal managers have been eyeing for.
Similarly, with Allen racking up incredible numbers last season, Sanders looks to pounce on Allen’sconfesss of going deep.
13. Michael Gallup
Michael Gallup, a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, was born in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ star quarterback, has returned. Cowboys and Gallup both appear to be having an excellent season together with his return from injury.
Furthermore, given Gallup’s incredible stats with a healthy Dak two years ago, both the wide receiver and the quarterback are hoping to replicate them in 2022.
Gallup also had 146.7 fantasy points the same season he and Dak played together.
12. Sutton, Courtland
Courtland Sutton is an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League.
Sutton, a darkhorse in his own right, had a fantastically consistent 2020. Furthermore, he completed the season with a flawless performance, missing only one game.
Sutton’s credentials may go unnoticed by fantasy managers, but they speak for themselves. The talented wide receiver made an appearance in the 2019 Pro Bowl.
Furthermore, he is set to play alongside Teddy Bridgewater, who is known for bringing out the best in the team’s wide receivers.
11. Brandon Aiyuk
Brandon Aiyuk, ranked 11th, is an American professional wide receiver and return specialist (kick returner) for the San Francisco 49ers.
While Aiyuk is not considered a deep sleeper, his current draft makes an argument for him to be one. Furthermore, if the 24-year-old stays healthy, he could have a fantastic season ahead of him.
The majority of fantasy football managers, on the other hand, have Aiyuk as a WR3. However, it is best to start with a WR and then incorporate Aiyuk as a WR1 or WR2.
10. Dawson Knox
Dawson and I are dipping our toes into the top ten. Alan Knox is a tight end for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League.
Last season, Knox ranked 33rd among all tight ends in the league. His statistics, however, are skewed due to his five-game absence from the field. In addition, the 25-year-old had 24 catches last season.
Knox and the Buffalo Bills, on the other hand, hope to improve on that in 2022. Knox will be hoping for a breakout season, especially with Jos Allen on the team.
Furthermore, as a deep sleeper, Knox should be drafted primarily in deep leagues. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be considered for waiver wire coverage.
9. Jared Cook
Jared Alan Cook is a tight end for the Los Angeles Chargers in the National Football League.
Cook will be 35 years old when the season begins in 2022. However, he remains a legitimate threat in the red zone.
Picking Cook may turn out to be a gamble, but given his 22 points in the last three seasons, it appears to be a ‘calculated gamble,’ at the very least.
Furthermore, the Chargers have Justin Hubert at quarterback, who should be a huge help to Cook.
8. Blake Jarwin
Blake Jarwin, an American tight end who currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys, is ranked eighth.
Jarwin missed almost the entire season last year due to an ACL injury. With only one game under his belt in 2020, he is frequently overlooked by managers as the season approaches in 2022.
Blake is another player on this list who benefited from Dak Prescott’s absence. Jarwin’s role will be critical in getting the Cowboys over the finish line in 2022, as the team plans to throw early and often.
Not to mention, in 33 games in the NFL, Jarwin has 58 receptions for 672 yards. During the same period, the talented tight end scored six touchdowns.
7. Hunter Henry
Hunter Henry is an American tight end who currently plays for the New England Patriots.
While Henry and his countryman Smith will never reach the heights of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, their commanding presence on the field adds value to fantasy managers. Furthermore, their stats are ideal for fantasy football.
Despite missing most of last season due to injuries, Henry finished the season ranked among the top 15 tight ends.
6. Jonnu Smith
Jonnu Andre Smith is an American tight end who plays for the New England Patriots alongside Hunter Henry.
Smith is either drafted as a TE2 or not drafted despite ranking ninth among tight ends. Furthermore, the talented tight end averaged 7.1 points per game last season.
Smith could have another top-ten season, but managers don’t seem to value him as highly as he should.
5. Trey Lance
Trey Lance, who has moved into the top 5, is one of the NFL’s youngest players. Lance, who was born on May 9, 2000, is an American quarterback who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers.
While Lance’s season may begin on the bench, it appears that he will bulldoze his way into a starting spot this season. Furthermore, once Lance starts playing, his rushing ability should be extremely valuable to the managers.
Also, for the start of the season, the 22-year-old should be on the managers’ waiver wire watch list.
4. Justin Fields
Justin Skyler Fields is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League.
While using Justin as a QB1 right away may not be a good idea, drafting him in all two-QB leagues is a good idea. Furthermore, Fields’ late-season upside could be the trump card that managers seek in one-QB leagues.
The Bears, on the other hand, are expected to start the season with Andy Dalton at quarterback. Fields, on the other hand, is expected to take his place at some point during the season.
3. Trevor Lawrence
William Trevor Lawrence is a quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars who was born in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Lawrence, like Hurts, is not considered a deep sleeper. Despite his upside, Lawrence has not been considered a QB1 in most leagues.
Furthermore, the 22-year-old could be a risky buy, particularly in two-QB leagues. Furthermore, if managers choose backups, Lawrence will be an excellent backup in one-QB leagues.
You might also be interested in the World’s Top 9 NFL Fullbacks.
2. Jameis Winston
Topping our list at number two is Jameis Lanaed Winston, an American quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
Winston finished third among quarterbacks in 2019 after a string of strong seasons. In addition, the outstanding quarterback threw 30 interceptions and 33 touchdown passes.
His 22nd draft pick is unquestionably low and should be considered for a differential pick. Furthermore, Winston could emerge as the ace in the hole late in the draft.
1. Jalen Injuries
Jalen Alexander Hurts, the top NFL Sleeper for 2022, is an American quarterback who currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.
In comparison to the other players on the list, Hurts is not considered a deep sleeper. Hurts, as the final QB1 draft pick in 12-team leagues, could easily provide the team with the needed oomph.
Furthermore, Hurts should not be purchased immediately, but will be a steal if selected near his average draft position. Hurts, who scored nine touchdowns in four games last season, may add tremendous value to the team with his exceptional rushing ability.
Conclusion
The introduction of fantasy football has resulted in the development of intriguing metrics for selecting players. Managers look for the most points possible throughout the season, from sure-fire starters to sleepers.
As a result, the players mentioned are a short list compiled to help you find an edge in your fantasy team – with the top 20 NFL Sleepers for 2022.
Read more about: Terri Harper, Kaitlin Sharkey, Diora Baird