Fantasy Football 2022: 3 Sleepers Generating Buzz After Preseason Week 3

The NFL preseason can be fun because it marks the return of on-field football, but it’s nowhere near as entertaining as the real thing. Fortunately, the real thing is almost here.

With the preseason now complete, the 2022 campaign begins for real with a Sept. 8 matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills. And for fantasy football leagues that have yet to hold drafts, that means you’re running out of time.

If you’re a fantasy football manager who hasn’t yet drafted, you’re likely looking for potential late-round sleepers who have emerged during training camp and the preseason.

Even if your league has held its talent grab, it’s always wise to keep an eye on the waiver wire during the leadup to the season to see who is available.

As the fantasy season nears, here’s a look at several sleeper players to monitor coming out of the preseason slate.

Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins

Eric Espada/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 27: Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins rushes the football during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Hard Rock Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

There’s been some hype surrounding Chase Edmonds this summer, but he isn’t the only new running back in the Miami backfield.

Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel are also now with the Dolphins, making it difficult to predict the expected workloads (especially with Edmonds and Mostert not playing in the same game this preseason).

While Edmonds should be a factor in the passing game, Mostert could get a substantial number of touches as well, especially in terms of carries. He only had two rushing attempts in Miami’s Week 3 preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, but he broke one off for 26 yards to finish with 29 on the ground.

It also could work in Mostert’s favor that he’s familiar with new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who previously served as an offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-21. The 30-year-old will be familiar with the scheme, which could lead to early success.

Mostert isn’t even rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues, so he shouldn’t be difficult to acquire. But because of his potential and the uncertainty in Miami’s backfield mix, he could be worth a late-round flier for your bench until it’s clear how the Dolphins will divide the workload.

KJ Hamler, WR, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Denver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler (1) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Myles Dorn (46) during an NFL preseason football game, Aug. 27, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy are the clear top two wide receivers in Denver, but they won’t combine to catch every pass that new Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson throws. And Tim Patrick will be out for the season with a torn ACL, so he won’t be catching any.

That should open the door for KJ Hamler to put up some solid numbers as the No. 3 wide receiver in Denver’s offense. He is also returning from a torn ACL, an injury that ended his 2021 season after only three games.

The 23-year-old got into the action in time for the Broncos’ final preseason game, in which he had three catches for 18 yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Those aren’t huge numbers, but it’s important that he got into a game before the start of the regular season.

It’s possible Hamler gets off to a bit of a slow start, but he flashed his potential at times during his 2020 rookie season, so it’s clear he has the talent to produce positive results.

Consider taking him with one of your final picks in fantasy drafts as a possible high-ceiling wide receiver for your bench.

Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/David Richard

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) makes a touchdown catch from Justin Fields during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cole Kmet didn’t score any touchdowns during his 2021 sophomore campaign, but he did get into the end zone in the Chicago Bears’ final preseason game this year, hauling in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Justin Fields against the Cleveland Browns.

That was great to see for fantasy managers, because the 23-year-old has the potential to be a start-worthy tight end in 2022.

If you miss out on the top tier at the position (Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and possibly Kyle Pitts) early, it’s wise to wait until a much later round to address the position, making it important to identify potential breakout players.

Kmet could break out this season, especially if Fields takes a big step forward in his second NFL season. He is likely to be one of the QB’s top targets, as the Chicago receiving corps doesn’t have a ton of depth beyond top playmaker Darnell Mooney.

So if you need a later-round tight end you can plug into your lineup early, take Kmet. He should get the number of targets required to be a starting-caliber player at the position in fantasy.