Fantasy Football 2015: Funniest Preseason Team Names and Top Sleepers

It's not the most obvious factoid about fantasy football, but there are two ways to win a league. 

One—win the league. Two—have the best team name.

There are many approaches to both. One of the best ways to beat the opposition is by finding sleepers, as in players of any status who will outperform others at their position and outplay their average draft position (ADP).

One of the best ways to win the best-name competition is through humor. Look around the NFL for just a moment, because the funny isn't hard to find.

Below, let's mash both to create something of a fantasy football strategy guide.

Top Sleepers 

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Right now, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has an ADP in the 11th round.

For owners who don't like passing on other positions in favor of a signal-caller, grabbing a second-year player available after names such as Sam Bradford and Ryan Tannehill is a great idea.

Never mind Bridgewater's young status. Last year he posted nine double-digit games as a rookie with 2,919 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while completing 64.4 percent of his passes.

Now ponder this—per Pro Football Focus, Bridgewater took 39 sacks and had a whopping 21 dropped passes. Now think about the additions. Tight end Kyle Rudolph is back from injury. The offense now has a legitimate every-down deep threat with Mike Wallace.

Sprinkle in a bit of second-year development to top it all off, and there's no question Bridgewater is one of the most attractive sleepers.

Latavius Murray, RB, Oakland Raiders

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

It's not easy to get behind an unproven back in the first four or five rounds. Still, there's no winning a fantasy league without risk, and Oakland's Latavius Murray is a great one to take with an ADP of 4.03.

Murray didn't do much last year on a shaky depth chart in a rough situation, but it seems everything around him has a green light. In 15 games, the UCF product rushed 82 times for 424 yards and two scores.

There's a catch. In Week 12, Murray turned four carries into 112 yards and two scores for 23 points against Kansas City. Week 16 was another of note, with 23 totes for 86 yards and 10 points against Buffalo. Keep in mind the former surrendered the 11th-fewest points to backs last year, the latter fifth.

It's clear Murray is the lone starter next season, too, as general manager Reggie McKenzie hints to Vic Tafur of SFGate.com: "I think he’s holding himself back. Being able to practice all the time, not having nitpicking injuries. Last season, leading up to it, he was nicked up. So, if he could stay healthy, nothing is holding him back.”

Murray's supposed competition, which includes Roy Helu and Trent Richardson, might not even make the final roster. An improved passing game with Derek Carr throwing to new targets Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper and Clive Walford only helps Murray's outlook, too.

Honorable Mentions

Player	Pos.	ADP
Sam Bradford, Philadelphia	QB	10.10
Derek Carr, Oakland	QB	14.03
Charles Sims, Tampa Bay	RB	11.10
C.J. Spiller, New Orleans	RB	4.11
Joseph Randle, Dallas	RB	3.09
Melvin Gordon, San Diego	RB	3.05
Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh	WR	4.12
Jarrett Boykin, Green Bay	WR	n/a
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota	TE	13.01
Maxx Williams, Baltimore	TE	n/a

Funniest Names 

Marcus Mari-otto

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Talk about one of the most memorable name flubs in recent memory. 

After months of waiting, Marcus Mariota out of Oregon got to hear his name called by the Tennessee Titans, only for Roger Goodell to whiff on the call:

Call it a funny moment in a serious league. The name also stands as a great way to remind anyone and everyone Mariota is one of the top names to watch this year as he looks to lead a young Titans offense in the same division as Andrew Luck.

It doesn't mean a whole lot, but Mariota is already making folks forget the name flub thanks to his lack of interceptions through eight days of training camp.

Forgetting Brandon Marshall

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

This is a great name for a fantasy team and even better advice for owners. 

Veteran wideout Brandon Marshall used to be a rock for owners in need, but he continues to fade as his career winds down. Last year he posted just four double-digit outings—now he's a member of the New York Jets.

The theory Marshall can produce anywhere with anyone will meet the ultimate test on a stagnant New York offense led by either Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick. It's not an impossible situation for the 31-year-old veteran, but owners have better options.

It's Always Runny in Philadelphia

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Come on, a team name playing off a great television show's name also incorporating plenty of truth is a winner.

The Eagles and coach Chip Kelly were one of everyone's favorite punching bags this offseason for a barrage of head-scratching moves, including letting running back LeSean McCoy go.

Now the team has DeMarco Murray, though, otherwise known as the guy who topped the point totals at running back last year with 282 via double-digit performances in every game but one. His production might increase in Kelly's offense, too.

Even crazier? If Murray gets tired, Kelly also has two great reserves with Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews. Talk about living up to a name.

Honorable Mentions

• Discount Belichick
• You Sankeyd my Battleship
• You Kaepernick the Future
• The Walking Dez
• Manziel in Distress

All ADP info courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator. All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats as of August 9. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.