NFL Fantasy Football: 5 Sleepers Emerging In Preseason

Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) catches a touchdown over New England Patriots strong safety Duron Harmon (30) during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The preseason continues but those keeping track of their NFL fantasy football league must by now be taking notice of certain unexpected players performing well. Here are five sleepers who have begun to show up over the past couple weeks that could carry over into real game action.

Quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater

Bear in mind that all of this success has been without Adrian Peterson being in the huddle. That further amplifies how well Teddy Bridgewater is looking through three preseason games. He has completed 22-of-28 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown. Not too flashy at this stage but highly efficient and stands to get a lot better once teams are forced to devote their defensive focus to stopping A.P. That should open up big plays down the field for Bridgewater, and more fantasy points as a result.

Running Back: Ronnie Hillman

Head coach Gary Kubiak has a long track record of unlocking the potential of forgotten running backs. He turned Arian Foster, an undrafted free agent into a star and resurrected the career of Justin Forsett. His latest success story could be Ronnie Hillman of the Denver Broncos. Long forgotten following the emergence of C.J. Anderson, the 23-year old has re-emerged in a big way with 120 yards on just 16 carries through two games. If this is not a mirage, then the Denver Broncos backfield just got deeper.

Wide Receiver: Brandin Cooks

It may not have been the fast start New Orleans Saints fans envisioned last year, but the team never lost faith that wide receiver Brandin Cooks could become the offensive weapon they envisioned when they drafted him in the 1st round. So far the preseason is showcasing how their patience was rewarded. He leads all receivers with 145 yards and two touchdowns on an average of 29 yards per catch. The speed, quickness and ability to get open have all been on display. Maybe that offense isn’t quite finished yet.

Tight End: Maxx Williams

Joe Flacco is the kind of quarterback that likes to spread the ball around and is particularly effective when he has a tight end he can rely on down the middle. That and the injury problems for Dennis Pitta are why the Baltimore Ravens drafted Maxx Williams. The Minnesota product has all the traits of a classic move tight end who can stretch the field with his speed but also has the size and leaping ability to be a serious red zone threat.

If he keeps developing as rapidly as he already has, then fantasy league can’t afford to ignore him much longer.

Defense: Chicago Bears

It’s still early and there are so many things left to fix, but the Chicago Bears has shown through two games how much coaching really matters in the NFL. Their starting unit has looked strong, particularly the front seven led by new free agent Pernell McPhee. Concerns remain about their secondary but if defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is as good as he was in San Francisco, then this defense could vastly exceed expectations this season just based on the pass rush and turnovers they’ve been forcing.

Next: Chicago Bears Stock Report: Preseason Week 2

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