10 Undervalued Deep Sleepers to Target Based on ADP
Fantasy Football Sleepers 2021
It seems like it has been forever, but we are getting back to a sense of normalcy. One of the most welcoming signs for fantasy football fans is less emphasis on pandemic prep and more on traditional summer reading.
With a more normal offseason and less likelihood of delays, we can embrace our usual offseason routines. And one of those favorite activities is studying the undervalued players that have the chance to break out in 2021. These mid and late-round sleepers can make all the difference towards winning a championship.
Here are some of the top undervalued sleepers to target this summer that are being selected outside the Top 100 ADP.
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Antonio Brown (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ADP 113 (WR43)
After sitting out the first half of the 2020 season, Brown emerged as a solid fantasy option down the stretch for the Super Bowl champs. Brown re-signed an incentive-laden deal with the Bucs, who return fully intact for another run in 2021.
In his eight games, Brown averaged 14.6 PPR points per game, which ranked 23rd among all wideouts, ahead of Juju Smith-Schuster, D.J. Moore, and Cooper Kupp. Brown probably won't maintain those lofty averages over an entire 16-game slate, but there should be plenty of opportunities for the 33-year-old former All-Pro to post WR2/3 numbers in an offense that ranked 2nd in the NFL in passing a year ago and returns every starter.
View Brown as a solid WR4/5 to target in the ninth or tenth round and one that has plenty of appeal in best-ball formats, as well.
Adam Trautman (TE) New Orleans Saints, ADP 173 (TE19)
Jared Cook's departure frees up a starting spot for Trautman in an offense that tends to utilize their tight ends downfield quite often. Additionally, Emmanuel Sanders and his 82 targets moved on to Buffalo, which opens up the path for Trautman to see a huge uptick in looks after reeling in 15-of-16 as a rookie.
Last season, Trautman looked like he could be quite an effective option in both contested-catch situations and downfield. Among all tight ends with 15-plus looks, Trautman ranked third with 10.7 yards per target, and fifth with 2.38 fantasy points per target.
The New Orleans quarterback situation is still unsettled, but Trautman appears to have a clear path to starting at a position that has little-to-no depth in fantasy football. That makes the sophomore tight end a highly desirable late-round target for the many teams that will once again be forced to take a streaming approach in 2021.
Laviska Shenault Jr. (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars, ADP 114 (WR44)
Last year, the Jaguars finished 28th in rushing and 21st in passing with Gardner Minshew, Mike Glennon, and Jake Luton each making at least three starts during a disastrous 1-win season. Even with all that turmoil, second-round rookie WR Laviska Shenault Jr. still managed to post PPR WR45 numbers in only 14 games.
Now, with Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence in town and Chris Conley gone, Shenault should see a big increase in opportunities in an offense that has the potential to post plenty of yards and points in 2021. And early indications out of Jacksonville's OTAs are that Shenault has looked explosive and like a terrific fit in the team's new scheme.
With an ADP in the ninth round as the 44th wideout, Shenault is being drafted at his floor. As the unquestioned starter in an offense that should be substantially improved, Shenault offers weekly WR3 upside at a discounted price.
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Jody Smith
Jody is a member of both the Pro Football Writer's of America (PFWA) and Fantasy Sports Writer's Association (FSWA) and has been covering the NFL and fantasy football for over a decade. Jody won FantasyPro's Most Accurate Expert contest and also garnered the FSTA's accuracy award in 2012. A Houston native, Jody has covered the Texans locally since 2016 for both digital and radio audiences. Past writing stops include CBS Sportsline, Gridiron Experts, Pro Football Focus, Fanball, FantasyPro's. Jody is also a frequent guest on SiriusXM and Houston radio and his work regularly appears in print on newsstands each summer.