The definition of “fantasy football sleepers” has evolved with time. Years ago, they were players who the general public had never heard of, let alone considered as a legitimate fantasy asset.
The NFC South’s sleepers are mostly well-known commodities. However, they’re not the names most managers would take very early on in their fantasy drafts, if at all.
Fantasy Football Sleepers | NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: Tyler Allgeier, RB
From a profile standpoint, the idea of Tyler Allgeier is simple: I’ll never have to make a decision about playing him. If Bijan Robinson is healthy, I have better options. If Robinson were to get hurt, I’m penciling in Allgeier for 70% of his production and starting him.
Context: Robinson is my RB2 this season, and 70% of RB2 last season would have been 14.9 fantasy ppg, good for RB15 honors.
Situation aside, Allgeier might just be a decent player. Last season, he ranked 22nd among running backs in production compared to expectation, one slot behind what Robinson produced in the exact same environment.
I don’t doubt that Allgeier is an NFL-caliber running back, and I’d be comfortable playing him as a high-floor option if the situation presented itself.
New Orleans Saints: Derek Carr, QB
If you want to win a bar bet, simply ask someone to name the two quarterbacks who, since 2020, have seen over 40% of their passing fantasy points come via the deep pass.
Jalen Hurts is one of the answers and that tracks. He threatens defenses in a variety of ways and has a pair of elite playmakers.
Based on the heading, you know that Derek Carr is the other. Of course, part of that is that he isn’t a high-volume passer, but the soft touch on those long throws is something that largely goes unnoticed.
Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are known quantities when it comes to home-run hitting — both of whom return and could be set for career years. But this is the part that has me interested in Superflex situations …
- 6’2” Cedrick Wilson Jr.
- 6’2” Marquez Callaway
- 6’5” A.T. Perry
Those are the next three receivers in my 2024 target projection for the Saints, and they’re all on the right side of 30 years old. Carr doesn’t go about accumulating fantasy points in the most exciting of fashions, but there is more potential than the public assumes. Sharp fantasy managers will take advantage of it.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving, RB
Bucky Irving cleared 1,000 rushing yards and 30 catches in each of his two seasons at Oregon, a versatile skill set that makes him an interesting fantasy option if given the chance.
Rachaad White produced for us last season, but is it that crazy to think that the Bucs could give their fourth-round pick some work? Of the 35 running backs with 150+ carries in 2023, White ranked 34th in percentage of attempts that picked up 5+ yards (28.3%, league RB average: 33.7%).
Rookie running backs burst on the scene when they’re given the opportunity to be on the field, either because of their raw talent or the incumbent struggles. In Tampa Bay, both of those boxes could be checked. It’ll cost you nothing to find out (over 30 kickers and D/ST currently hold a higher ADP than Irving).
Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young, QB
The Year 2 bump is clearly something you’re banking on if you’re going down this route in a Superflex setting. And when you combine that promise with the QB whispering capabilities of Dave Canales, things could get interesting as Carolina is routinely playing catch-up.
Canales was the quarterbacks coach in Seattle in 2022 and took over the offensive coordinator duties in Tampa Bay last season. You could, rather easily, argue that the quarterback who outperformed expectations by the most in each of those seasons came under the guiding hand of Canales.
Geno Smith had yet to develop consistency pre-Canales and was 15.3% worse in terms of fantasy points per game the year after he left.
Baker Mayfield, meanwhile, saw his fantasy production increase by 22.9% in Year 1 under Canales when compared to his three seasons prior.
The Panthers added a proven target earner in Diontae Johnson this offseason, giving Young a path to more consistency. He’s not going to be a starter in 1QB leagues, but outright dismissing him in deeper formats isn’t wise.