Fantasy Football: Five Sleeper Wide Receivers to Target in 2016

What’s up, GF2 fans! I can’t express how excited that I am about football being back on our televisions. The preseason is just underway and it’s time to really start preparing for your upcoming fantasy football drafts. One key thing each season is to find not just the obvious stud wide receivers but to also find some sleeper options, who will put your squad over the top. I’m going to provide you guys with five potential candidates, who not only have the ability to play but will also potentially be provided with the opportunity to shine in the 2016 season.

So, here are my five wide receiver sleeper options for the 2016 season:

Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts

Moncrief was an absolute stud during the first five weeks of the 2015 season for the Colts, catching 36 balls for 399 yards and five scores. Well, once Andrew Luck went down with his injury, Moncrief’s value mostly plummeted. He still caught 64 passes (105 targets) for 733 yards and six touchdowns but it could have been a great season for him if Luck would’ve stayed healthy. So, for the 2016 campaign, we can only hope that his quarterback retains his health and Moncrief could take it to the next level for his fantasy owners and push our teams over the top.

Moncrief finished last season with 173.30 fantasy points and is projected to be at 217.85 for the 2016 campaign. If this projection does indeed take place, then his Fifth-Round projection could be a perfect value. He has fantasy WR2 value in my opinion and has the ability to  be a bigger star than fellow wideout T.Y. Hilton. So, with a healthy Luck, who absolutely adores him, Moncrief could be the steal of your upcoming 2016 fantasy drafts, so keep him on your radar!

Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions

In Cincinnati opposite A.J. Green, Jones was a very productive asset for the Bengals. In 2015, he caught 65 passes (103 targets) for 816 yards and four touchdowns for his squad. For this season, Jones is on a new team that loves to pass the ball down the field, so I’m preparing for a breakout campaign for the young wide receiver. Playing opposite of Golden Tate now in Detroit, I’m expecting him to become an even bigger star and should provide the right amount of value to push him over the top for the fantasy football community. Thoughts in camp so far this offseason have been great about Jones and being the Number 1 wideout for the team has even been discussed, so keep that in my come draft time.

With Calvin Johnson now retired for the Lions, the team needs a new guy to step up and take the reigns for this offense. While many think that player will be Tate, I’m one of the believers that Jones could be that guy. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the kid receives over 140 targets this season in the Lions’ pass-happy offense, which bodes well for Jones’ owners. One other thing that I’m excited about Jones is that he can be a real menace in the red zone. Right now Eric Ebron is dealing with his dealing with his ankle injury, making Jones the biggest end zone threat for Detroit.

Rishard Matthews, Tennessee Titans

Matthews had his breakout campaign last year with the Dolphins and received a decent payday from it. He chose the Titans over the Patriots during free agency, which puzzled some people but not me. I believe the youngster wants to be the go-to guy for his team, which isn’t what he would’ve been in New England, so he jetted over to Nashville instead. In 2015, Matthews caught 43 passes (61 targets) for 662 yards and four touchdowns for the Dolphins in 11 games. These aren’t mind-boggling stats but I feel like he did well with a lackluster quarterback option in Ryan Tannehill, who I’m just not a fan of.

Matthews has an uncanny ability to catch the ball with a 70.5 catch percentage last season. His sure-handedness should come in handy for second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota, who was in desperate need for a top-tier receiving threat. The one key thing about Rishard’s game that intrigues me is his ability to run routes to perfection. Last year, the Titans had guys such as Dorial Green-Beckham, who wasn’t the best route runner, so I’m expecting an improved passing game this season. I’m expecting Matthews to be one of Mariota’s favorite receiving options right along with Delanie Walker for the 2016 season.

Travis Benjamin, San Diego Chargers

How could we forget about how much Philip Rivers threw the ball for the Chargers last year! With a mediocre running game with Melvin Gordon, San Diego had to rely on their ability to spread the ball across the field with a ton of different receiving options. Just last week, Stevie Johnson went down with a torn Meniscus for the team, so Benjamin should obtain even more targets this year. He’s the deep field threat that Rivers has been missing over the past couple of seasons that should have an instant impact on not only the Chargers but the fantasy world in 2016.

Last season, Benjamin caught 68 passes (125 targets) for 966 yards and five scores in a Browns offense led by quarterbacks such as Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown. Now that he has an actual stud quarterback, who is a sleeper option also, Benjamin could be the next big thing for our fantasy teams. Both Keenan Allen and he complement one another very well, so it should be an exciting year in San Diego. I’m expecting Benjamin to catch around 70 passes for 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns this season, so stay tuned fantasy football enthusiasts!

Bruce Ellington, San Francisco 49ers

This kid will be the deepest sleeper from this list but he may be one of my favorites overall for the 2016 season. Ellington was just a return specialist for the Niners last year but his blazing speed could warrant him a big-time role in this offense this season. Playing alongside Torrey Smith, I’m expecting Ellington and this San Francisco offense to be much improved this year whether Colin Kaepernick or Blaine Gabbert draws the starting job.

Ellington should fit well in the slot for the 49ers and could really do some damage in 2016. Most people love him due to his lightning-quick speed but like Chip Kelly I find myself liking him for a different reason. Ellington played basketball in college at South Carolina, which gives him just the right pedigree to be a top-notch slot receiver in the NFL. With his short-area quickness and sure hands, Ellington should prosper in the league for years to come. So, hopefully, I’m right about this kid because you guys could take a late-round flyer on him and receive a ton of value in your drafts for 2016.

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