Meg’s Best Ball Sleepers – JULY

July 25, 2023

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Megan Shoup

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Each month, I think it is a useful tool to look at favorite picks, fades, and sleepers. We covered Favorite Picks in Each Round and Best Ball Fades for July in these articles. Now, it’s time to cover favorite sleepers this month.

A sleeper, is a pick you can get in the late rounds (Rounds 14-18 on Underdog Fantasy). The idea is you are drafting this player at a discount because they will massively outperform their ADP. You may not agree with all my sleeper picks, but hopefully, it inspires you to look more into these players or find other sleepers you want to target.

Meg’s July Best Ball Favorite Sleepers (Current ADP listed):

QB:

–Matthew Stafford (154) – Note his ADP is more round 13, and I like him there. But especially if he falls into the 14th round, Stafford has massive sleeper potential. If he’s anywhere close to his 2021 self, he should massively outperform this ADP. Especially because the Rams’ defense should be bad this year so Stafford & co. will need to put up points.

–Kenny Pickett (169) – As I’ve stated in previous articles, I am high on the Steelers’ offense to take a big leap this year with a very improved offensive line and 2nd-year growth from Pickett and George Pickens.

-Brock Purdy (173) – His ADP is rising, but as I mentioned in this article, now is still the time to buy. Once it becomes official that Purdy is the 49ers’ starting QB, then his ADP will rise dramatically.

-Sam Howell (197) – Homer alert, maybe some, because I have hope that Washington got a steal in the 2021 NFL Draft in Howell. He’s mobile, has a good arm, and already seems to be impressing HC Ron Rivera and new OC Eric Beinemy. There’s risk he could get benched since Rivera is on the hot seat, but hopefully, he can show that he can be the QB1 for Washington.

RB:

–Kenneth Gainwell (165) – Yes, it’s a crowded backfield for the Eagles but I’m most often taking the cheap piece in Gainwell and the guy they trusted in their Super Bowl run.

–Gus Edwards (187) – The Ravens utilize multiple backs, so even though JK Dobbins is the starter, I love Edwards as a late-round value as your last RB.

-Ty Chander (197) – I think Chandler will be the RB2 and still have opportunities even with Alexander Mattison as the starter.

–Clyde Edwards-Helaire (202) – Never did I think I’d be mentioning CEH this year in best ball, but at this price, you can make a case he can give you a couple spike weeks with a late-round pick.

WR:

-Rasheed Shaheed (161) – He showed his deep threat ability last season and now has QB Derek Carr throwing him the ball.

-Isaiah Hodgins (173) – Same explanation as Slayton below. The Giants have what feels like is 28 different slot receivers. But Hodgins and Slayton should be the two main receivers in 2-receiver sets. Hodgins is also a great red-zone weapon.

-Tim Patrick (168) – He has jumped in ADP massively, but I still think he’s a sleeper in a good offense that should outperform this ADP. Back from a lost injury season, I like Patrick at this ADP to contribute to what should be a much-improved offense under new HC Sean Payton.

–Darius Slayton (203) – The Giants have a very crowded receiver room, but most will be rotating in the slot. There’s not as much competition for Slayton on the outside and he’s a deep threat that can easily pay off this price tag. Speaking of pay, he’s one of the higher-paid Giants’ wide receivers.

–Corey Davis (212) – A deep threat for QB Aaron Rodgers in what should be a high-powered offense. Great late-round flier!

-Josh Reynolds (215) – Another great late-round flier on a team in the Lions that I love to target. With WR Jameson Williams missing the first 6 games due to suspension, Reynolds is a trusted target of Jared Goff. He can also still have spike weeks when Williams returns.

TE:

-Sam LaPorta (162) – You can blame me for LaPorta’s rising ADP. I can’t get enough shares! I may or may not have started a Sam LaPorta fan club! I love the Lions’ offense this season and best ball playoff schedule. And his only competition is Brock Wright and James Mitchell. Already great reports from training camp. Sign me up!

-Luke Musgrave (207) -People seem to be catching on to this Packers’ draft pick too, as his ADP is currently on the rise. Everyone is already starting to realize that Musgrave has no competition at the position and should be the Packers’ TE1. He’s not priced like a TE1 though and I like that.

-Michael Mayer (210) – Another rookie TE that I think is going too low. He’s really only competing with Austin Hooper and we know Jimmy Garraopolo loves targeting his tight ends.

Yes, these are all rookie TEs, but they are rookies I am very confident they can make an immediate impact in their rookie season, especially at their ADP.

-Honorable Mention – There are honestly I lot of late-round tight ends I like and I think a trio of them (or even if you want to try 4 late-round tight ends) could pay off. Other late-round sleeper tight ends I like are Dawson Knox, Isaiah Likely, either Dallas TE, Jelani Woods, Hunter Henry, and Logan Thomas.