Most fantasy football drafts will be happening during the next six days or so. Actual games are on the horizon, so we no longer have to suffer through endless talk about how some sixth round tight end is going to be the next big thing. However, not all the hype trains have been derailed and you are going to want to avoid some of the players being championed as fantasy football sleepers. Especially a few of those going in the late rounds.
There is something satisfying about being the guy who takes Alvin Kamara in the later rounds of a 2017 draft and rides him to a championship. But being stuck waiting for a player like D’Onta Foreman to deliver is far less fun. Save yourself the hassle and avoid these fantasy football sleepers.
Related: Backup running backs who just may be starters this season
Avoid these 3 fantasy football sleepers
1) Damien Harris
RB / New England Patriots
Reports out of New England have Damien Harris getting first teams reps and impressing. Sony Michel has been hurt which has left some people to speculate that Harris could the guy for the Patriots this season. Unfortunately, that seems highly unlikely.
For starters, Michel is back and now splitting first team reps with Harris. Secondly, Rex Burkhead and James White are still loitering around in this backfield. They will be mixed into the rotation. Finally, Cam Newton and whoever the fullback is for the Patriots this season will snipe goal line carries limiting everyone’s upside.
2) Jerick McKinnon
RB / San Francisco 49ers
In 12-team leagues, especially PPR ones, Jerick McKinnon has become a trendy late round selection despite the fact he hasn’t played in a game since 2017. Sure, seemingly every running back in San Francisco produces when given the ball, but that’s not enough to justify burning a draft pick on the former Viking.
Sure, McKinnon is a good pass catcher, but is he noticeably better than Tevin Coleman? Not really. Maybe McKinnon has something in the tank after two years on the sideline, but there are much higher upside guys to stash on your roster.
Read more: Here are the 49ers to draft and avoid this season
3) Anthony McFarland Jr.
RB / Pittsburgh Steelers
The Anthony McFarland Jr. hype won’t go away mostly because of James Conner’s injury history and a few people drooling over his PlayerProfiler. And while those poor souls obsess over McFarland’s college highlights, Benny Snell has already won the Steelers’ backup running back job. Even if something happens to Conner, it seems like McFarland would be fighting it out with Jaylen Samuels for work on passing downs. That’s not worth drafting.
