PPR: WRs Outside the Top 40 Likely to Break Out
Drafts are won in the last 5 rounds. Picking the right sleepers that turn their potential into reality is key to having a championship fantasy season. Every year there are players that are being drafted in the late rounds who end up as fantasy superstars as well as reliable starters. Last year players like Adam Thielen, Marvin Jones, and Robby Anderson were drafted as WRs outside the top 40 at their position, but each of them far outperformed their ADPs, rewarding many fantasy owners willing to take the chance on them. With that, here are WRs currently being drafted outside the top 40 in PPR leagues that can break out for your fantasy team in 2018.
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Robby Anderson (WR 41)
As mentioned above, Robby Anderson was one of the receivers drafted outside the top 40 WRs last year, yet managed a solid finish as the 18th best WR. So who else would be better to start this list off with? Anderson finished the 2017 season with nearly 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Part of the reason his ADP is so low is due to his off-the-field issues earlier in the off season, but with those issues behind him, Anderson should be set for another big year. Many of the coaching staff in the Jets organization believe it too; recently Jets Wide Receivers coach Karl Dorrell said that Anderson is “really going to explode” in 2018. Whoever ends up starting at QB for the Jets will have a solid #1 WR in Anderson who can take it to the house on every play. Anderson may be getting drafted outside the top 40, but he is the only receiver drafted in this range that has a chance to finish as a top 15 WR.
Mike Williams (WR 50)
It’s easy to forget about the fantasy potential of 2nd year players injured during their rookie year, but Mike Williams was a high 1st round draft pick in 2017 who was destined for a solid fantasy year with Philip Rivers at QB. Back healthy in 2018, Williams is again set up for a good year. It is expected that Williams will fill the WR2 position for the Chargers, lining up on the opposite side of Keenan Allen, who should draw a lot of coverage due to the fact that he is currently one of the best receivers in the league. Melvin Gordon should also force defenses to put more players in the box to stop the run game.
While the above means that Williams will be the 3rd option in this offense, it doesn’t mean that Williams won’t have a solid year. The season-ending injury to Hunter Henry will not only guarantee that Williams sees more time on the field, but also makes Williams and his 6’ 4” frame the best red zone receiving threat by default. Keep an eye on Williams in your draft as he has a good chance to finish as a top 25 WR.
Sterling Shepard (WR 45)
Sterling Shepard didn’t necessarily have a bad year in 2017, but he did let down fantasy owners expecting improvement after his rookie year in 2016 when he put up nearly 700 yards and 8 touchdowns. What some may not realize though is last year Shepard actually had more catches and yards than he did in his rookie year, despite missing 5 games. It was these 5 missed games and a low touchdown total (2) that convinced many that Shepard had a bad year.
Had Shepard played a full 16 game season, he was on pace for 86 catches and 1,063 yards, numbers similar to that of Golden Tate (92 catches, 1,003 yards) and A.J. Green (75 catches, 1,078 yards). This is an indication that Shepard can produce like some of the better WRs in the league. The return of Odell Beckham Jr. might lessen the number of targets Shepard gets, but it should benefit Shepard overall considering the Giants offense is significantly better with OBJ on the field. If Pat Shurmur can get the Giants offense to produce like it should, watch out for Sterling Shepard as he may become a top 20 WR this season.