During the fantasy football draft, a lot of the hype is around your first few picks. While this makes sense, the later rounds of a draft can prove to be as crucial as the first round. Players who may not seem to have much fantasy value, also known as sleepers, can boost your fantasy team from being good to dominant. Whether it’s an injury or someone not living up to your expectations, sleepers can provide depth and stability to your fantasy football team. Throughout this article, I’ll break down who I think are the top five fantasy football sleepers going into the 2020-2021 NFL season.

5. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions

Coming in at my number five fantasy football sleeper is Detroit’s T.J. Hockenson. The 6’5 TE started his career off on the right foot. In his debut against the Cardinals, Hockenson had six receptions for 131 yards and a TD. After his breakout performance in week one, Hockenson never put another great performance together. In all fairness, not having Matthew Stafford and Kerryon Johnson for most of the season definitely hurt Hockenson’s play.

Speaking of injuries, Hockenson’s season was also cut short after he suffered an ankle injury in week 12. Since Hockenson only had one solid game in 2019, his draft value is low, making him a great late-round steal. Assuming the Lions and Hockenson stay healthy this season, T.J. is set to see more performances like the one he put up in his professional football debut.

4. Jonnu Smith, TE, Tennesee Titans

My number four fantasy football sleeper is Tennessee’s, Jonnu Smith. Although the 6’3 TE didn’t have a great year numbers-wise, Smith showed flashes of his speed and playmaking ability in the 2019-2020 season. With Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown getting a lot of the opposing defense’s attention, Jonnu Smith should get a good amount of opportunities this season. Having Derrick Henry in the backfield especially benefits Smith because of how effectively the play-action can work.

Smith was on the field for 60 or more percent of the Titan’s snaps in 13 of the 16 games played, proving that the Titans have high hopes for Smith. Jonnu Smith is set to have a breakout year, as the talent is there, and I think the opportunities will also be there this upcoming season.

3. Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants

Making the top three is fifth-round draft pick, wide-out on the New York Giants, Darius Slayton. From his week three debut to the end of the season, Darius Slayton and Daniel Jones showed great chemistry. This is very promising because as time goes on, Slayton and Jones will develop more and chemistry with each other. Slayton was able to find soft spots in the defense, and make plays after the catch. Slayton also proved his RedZone capabilities as he caught eight TD’s in just 14 games. In the 2019-2020 season, Slayton had two stand out games.

Week 10 against the Jets, Slayton had 10 receptions for 121 and two TDs. Three weeks later in Philadelphia, Slayton introduced himself to the division rival with five catches for 151 yards and two TDs. After Slayton’s breakout campaign he will not fall as far as Hockenson or Smith, but I think Darius Slayton will improve due to him maturing and the chemistry between Jones and Slayton further improving.

2. Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Redskins

Coming in at my number two fantasy football sleeper is Washington’s, Derrius Guice. The Redskin’s RB was set to have a big year until he tore his meniscus in week one vs. the Eagles. This was heartbreaking news for fantasy owners of Guice because of Guice’s potential. Guice only played five games in the 2019-2020 season, but in week 13 against the Panthers, Guice showed what the hype was all about. Guice rushed 10 times for 129 yards and two TDs.

The talent for Guice is most certainly there, it’s just a matter of staying healthy. Washington’s new head coach Ron Rivera has been great with RB’s in the past, so Guice has yet another factor going for him. Like Darius Slayton, Guice will most likely be a mid-round pick, but if you’re in the need of a solid RB2, don’t look any further than Derrius Guice.

1. Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans

My number one fantasy football sleeper goes to… Brandin Cooks! Being traded from the Rams to the Texans had huge fantasy implications for Cooks. On the Rams, Cooks had to play behind Kupp, Woods, and Gurley, giving him have a minor role in the offense. On the Texans, however, Cooks is the WR2 and should get lots of opportunities. Cooks had his worst season since his rookie campaign back in 2014, making Cook’s fantasy value drop quite a bit. Cooks has shown in the past that he can put up huge numbers.

From 2014-2018, Cooks put up over 1000 yards receiving each year and scored at least five TD’s in that span. I see Cooks getting back on track with those numbers this year because of the number of chances he will get in Houston. Cooks will most likely drop pretty far in this year’s draft, making him my number one sleeper pick of the 2020-2021 NFL season because of the upside he has this year.

I also wrote an article on the fantasy value of Houston WR’s after Hopkins left and Cooks arrived. If you’d like to take a look, click here

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If you want a great top 12 breakdown at each position, check out Chris Pinto’s latest article! Click here for that!