The AFC North is full of playmakers and their are players we already know will have a huge impact on fantasy teams this year. Some of those players include Nick Chubb, Lamar Jackson, Najee Harris, Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, and Ja’Maar Chase. Who will be the fantasy sleepers in the AFC NORTH?
Here is a list that has one player from each AFC North team that has the potential to surprise a lot of fantasy team owners this season…
Baltimore Ravens:
RB Gus Edwards
Edwards missed last season with a torn ACL which occurred in preseason. He played three season prior to tearing his ACL, and averaged five yards per carry on 100+ carries in each season. Derrick Henry is the only other running back to average five+ yards per carry in that same span. Lookout for Gus Edwards to be a valuable pickup off of the waiver wire or a potential late-round draft pick!
AFC NORTH Fantasy Sleepers-Cleveland Browns:
WR David Bell
Bell played college ball at Purdue and throughout showed the ability to run great routes combined with great hands. There is a good chance he gets over 100 targets this year, especially with how poor the Browns receiving core is. Bell could be a valuable flex position player that you should have your eye on, especially when injuries start to settle in and you’re forced to grab someone off of the waiver wire. Bell has plenty of potential as a rookie WR.
AFC NORTH Fantasy Sleepers-Cincinnati Bengals:
RB Chris Evans
RB Samaje Perine is currently listed as the backup to Joe Mixon in the Bengals depth chart. Don’t be surprised when Michigan RB Chris Evans takes over that spot this season. Evans could be a great final option if he’s able to take over the backup role to Mixon, especially if Mixon is to get injured at all during the season. His 2.11 yards per route run has him ranked 4th of all NFL RBs, which could make him a legitimate 3rd down back.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
QB Mitchell Trubisky
The Steelers have still not decided on a starting QB heading into week one of the regular season. Kenny Pickett has shown some promise in the first two weeks of preseason and so has Mitchell Trubisky. Trubisky has the edge because of his prior experience in the NFL. If Trubisky is able to secure the starting job, he could be a sneaky good option in fantasy. He has plenty of weapons and he’s shown the ability to run when needed. The Bears kept him in his shell for the most part and were unsure of him getting out of the pocket. So far, Pittsburgh has allowed him to use his mobility and it has opened things up for him. Don’t sleep on Mitch!
So, who’re your AFC NORTH fantasy sleepers?
1 Comment
I’m an ole former Marine who grew-up in Baltimore and share your passion for all Baltimore sports teams. I’m a bit older and grew-up in Baltimore back in the 60’s and early 70’s when the Orioles and Colts were at the top of their sport. I was sickened when the Irsay’s did the undercover mid-night move, sending the Colts to Indy. I was ecstatic when we got the Ravens. Baltimore and Pittsburg have a long rivalry history, going back to the ’70 World Series between the O’s and Pirates. Since the Ravens came into existence there has been no better rivalry in football, the fan bases included. Whenever the Ravens and Steelers play, to borrow from John Madden, it’s a “slobber knocker”. And as Al Michaels put it a couple of years ago: “When these two teams play it shouldn’t be allowed on primetime TV. They should play after mid-night in a dark alley somewhere.” The two teams have a great deal of respect for each other. Last year was an anomaly, but for the last 20 years the Ravens and Steelers have traded the AFC North crown back and forth. It just so happens that my neighbor is from Pittsburg and a big Steelers fan. I have my Ravens flag flying in my front yard and he has his Steelers flag flying. The banter between us is friendly and makes the rivalry that much more fun. Good luck, we’ll see you on December 11th.