Identifying Potential NFL Fantasy Sleepers Based on OTA Performances

The 2015 NFL fantasy season is still a couple of months away, but it is never too early to start looking for this year's championship-winning sleepers.

Grabbing the right quarterback, running back or receiver in the first round is certainly going to help your team during the fantasy season. However, fantasy championships often come down to the guys taken in the later rounds who emerge as surprise superstars. 

We are going to take a look at players who aren't expected to go early in fantasy drafts but have nonetheless stood out during minicamps and organized team activities (OTAs).

These are the guys who aren't getting a ton of buzz right now but are definitely worth keeping an extra eye on during training camp, preseason and as your fantasy draft approaches. 

Shane Vereen, RB, New York Giants

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New York Giants running back Shane Vereen probably isn't at the top of your list of potential fantasy stars. This might be because he has logged just 907 career rushing yards, or because players who leave the New England Patriots organization don't always find success.

However, Vereen should have plenty of value for the Giants and for fantasy players in points-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

Last season in New England, he carried the ball just 96 times for 391 yards, but he also hauled in 52 passes for 447 yards with five total touchdowns. 

According to Fox Sports, Vereen and Giants quarterback Eli Manning are already developing some pitch-and-catch chemistry:

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Moving into Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's primarily zone-blocking scheme is great news for Vereen because it fits his running style. If he can prove to be a major asset in the passing game and an unexpected producer as a runner, don't be surprised if he surpasses Rashad Jennings as the lead back.

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Even if Vereen doesn't take over as the primary ball-carrier in New York, he should see plenty of work as a rotational player on passing downs.

"He caught pass after pass out of the backfield, in particular in the red zone." Jordan Raanan of NJ.com wrote of Vereen after one OTA practice this offseason. "He's going to be a big part of the offense."

Vereen will probably be a middle-round pick at best in most fantasy drafts, but he can definitely be a big part of your fantasy team. 

Clive Walford, TE, Oakland Raiders

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After Odell Beckham Jr.'s stellar rookie season (1,305 yards, 12 touchdowns) propelled countless fantasy players to a championship last season, you can bet that a rookie receiver like Amari Cooper of the Oakland Raiders is going to be a hot commodity.

However, another Raiders rookie is worth considering in the mid-to-late rounds. We're talking about tight end Clive Walford out of Miami, who has been drawing rave reviews throughout the early offseason.

According to Scott Blair of CSNCalifornia.com, both head coach Jack Del Rio and Raiders backup quarterback Christian Ponder have been impressed with Walford thus far:

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It’s clear from listening to Del Rio over the last few weeks and Ponder today that TE Clive Walford is making a solid first impression.

— Scott Bair (@BairCSN) May 26, 2015"

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson has also seen good things from the rookie tight end:

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Walford has been a standout in the offseason program. He has been smooth and has shown an ability to stretch the field. There is hope inside the Raiders' building that Walford can become an instant impact player and become the second best option for [quarterback Derek] Carr behind Cooper early in his career. 

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Last season with the Hurricanes, Walford caught 44 passes for 676 yards and seven touchdowns. If he can become one of the top targets in Oakland, he could easily surpass those numbers as a rookie. Think of him as a TE2 and borderline starter heading into the season.

Jarvis Landry, WR, Miami Dolphins

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry made a name for himself in fantasy circles as a rookie in 2014 by catching 84 passes for 758 yards and five scores.

However, he is far from being a fantasy star and may actually be even more overlooked this year because of Miami's additions of Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills and rookie DeVante Parker.

Overlooking Landry could prove to be a mistake, though, as he seems to be developing some real chemistry with fourth-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald wrote the following after one recent OTA practice:

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Tannehill, who suggested Monday that Parker’s recent foot surgery will limit the rookie receiver for at least the start of training camp, found Landry early and often during Monday’s Organized Team Activities (OTA) practice. The highlight of the steamy afternoon: When Landry reeled in a jaw-dropping one-handed touchdown catch in a two-minute drill.

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Parker, the talented rookie out of Louisville, recently had surgery to replace a screw in his foot. On one hand, this could hamper his development heading into the season. On the other hand, this should mean even more looks for Landry in camp and potentially in the regular season.

It will be important to get a feel for how Miami will use Landry during the preseason, but he is looking like a smart late-round fantasy addition. 

Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a decent rookie season in 2014, producing 550 yards and three touchdowns on 53 receptions.

This year, he may just be poised to become a true fantasy star.

Consider that star tight end Jimmy Graham (85 receptions 889 yards, 10 touchdowns in 2014) and wide receiver Kenny Stills (63 receptions, 931 yards, three scores) are no longer in New Orleans to take targets away from Cooks.

He also appeared in only seven games last season. Presumably, he will appear in all 16 this season.

On top of these factors, early reports this offseason are positive for Cooks.

ESPN.com's Mike Triplett recently pointed to Cooks as an OTA standout and believes he is ready to emerge as the Saints No. 1 receiver in 2015. 

Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com believes that the only player who has looked better than Cooks this offseason is quarterback Drew Brees:

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Brandin Cooks continues to look like the best player not named Brees on the Saints roster.

— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) June 17, 2015"

Brees was rated the No. 2 overall quarterback by Pro Football Focus last season. If Cooks emerges as his No. 1 target, he won't just be a sleeper but a fantasy must-start.

Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

John Raoux/Associated Press

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson is another guy who had a decent rookie season (48 receptions, 548 yards and two touchdowns) in 2014 and appears poised for bigger things this year.

Robinson isn't likely to have quite as big of a fantasy impact as Brandin Cooks because second-year quarterback Blake Bortles has a long way to go before being on Drew Brees' level.

However, Robinson still looks ready for bigger and better things in 2015, at least based on his performances in offseason practices. 

"He's been unbelievable," Bortles said recently, via Mark Long of the Associated Press. "He's definitely a threat now in the red zone. ... He's physical. He can run and do everything out in the open field, so he's been fun to throw to."

ESPN.com's Mike DiRocco called Robinson "by far the Jaguars' best receiver" and labeled him the most impressive player of OTAs.

It will be worth watching the Jaguars this preseason to see what kind of strides Bortles and the rest of the offense have made. If the group looks even marginally better than last year's unit, which was ranked dead-last by Pro Football Focus, then don't hesitate to consider Robinson late in your draft. 

Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns

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Considering the unsure quarterback situation of the Cleveland Browns, few players on offense deserve a long look in fantasy.

Rookie running back Duke Johnson, however, might well emerge as a late-round sleeper.

He left college as the University of Miami's all-time leading rusher (3,519 yards in three seasons). He finished the 2014 season with 1,652 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and 38 receptions for 421 yards.

Johnson's receiving ability is what gives him real fantasy value. He will likely be part of a three-back rotation with second-year runners Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, but Johnson should be the primary back on passing downs.

"The best way I can describe Duke is what Thurman Thomas was for Buffalo," running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery side of Johnson, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. "It’s going to be all over the field. It’s a 'Where’s Waldo?' He gives you another dimension. He creates one-on-one problems."

Cleveland's plan to use Johnson as both a runner and pass-catcher only works if he has the talent to pull it off, of course. According to ESPN's Adam Caplan, Johnson has been showing that he does in OTA workouts:

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Duke Johnson has been the most impressive of their RBs. Versatility and explosiveness shows. Will be an interesting RB camp battle.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) June 12, 2015"

Expect Johnson to be a legitimate flex option in PPR leagues this coming season. 

Stevie Johnson, WR, San Diego Chargers

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

A couple of years ago, while still with the Buffalo Bills, wide receiver Stevie Johnson looked like a regular fantasy standout. 

During the 2013 offseason, the 6'2", 207-pound receiver was coming off his third-straight 1,000-yard campaign and was expected to be a go-to target for then-rookie quarterback EJ Manuel. 

Unfortunately, poor quarterback play caused Johnson's production to drop off in 2013, and he spent the 2014 season mostly as an afterthought in the San Francisco 49ers offense. As a result, he has largely become an afterthought in fantasy.

Don't be surprised, though, if Johnson again emerges as a fantasy force now that he is a member of the San Diego Chargers. He is entering a great situation—San Diego's passing offense was rated sixth overall by Pro Football Focus last season—and shouldn't have to worry about the quality of play from quarterback Philip Rivers. 

Johnson appears excited about his new opportunity. 

"I wanted to be a Charger. ... It looks like a good opportunity for me to play well and contribute." Johnson said recently, via the team's official website. "That is what I want to do."

According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Johnson already looks like a player who will contribute often in the coming season. 

"Stevie Johnson, the former Bills and 49ers receiver signed to replace Eddie Royal, is like an NBA player with a slick crossover dribble," Krasovic wrote after one recent practice. "[He] shook defenders with sudden zigs and zags. Rookie Craig Mager was one cornerback he left behind."

Don't forget about Johnson when you're looking to fill slots at the end of your draft. 

Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

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You might find it difficult to believe, but we have one more second-year receiver on our list. 

Wideout Davante Adams will most likely be the third Green Bay Packers receiver taken in fantasy drafts, behind stars Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. However, it is Adams who has been turning heads in offseason workouts.

According to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said that Adams "could be a star," and head coach Mike McCarthy has called the receiver the "MVP" of the offseason.

NFL Media's Albert Breer has pointed out that Adams has the potential to make the Packers offense even better:

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Not a shocker to hear Packers heap praise on Davante Adams, but potential of that offense if he turns the corner is scary.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 16, 2015"

According to Pro Football Focus, Green Bay was rated second overall in offense in 2014. If Adams and the offense are even better in 2015, the team is definitely going to benefit. Your fantasy team can benefit too.