Identifying Potential NFL Fantasy Sleepers Based on Offseason Workouts

For most NFL players, training-camp practices are still more than one month away. For most fantasy football enthusiasts, fantasy-draft season is even further down the road. Of course, it's never too early for fantasy owners to start figuring out which players to target on draft day.

Fantasy is important stuff, folks. 

Fortunately, we've already been able to glean a little insight into the coming season from OTAs and minicamps. At the very least, we know which players have been standing out during offseason workouts and which have not.

We're going to use what we've learned this offseason to identify some potential fantasy sleepers for the 2016 season. We'll focus on players who have excelled on the practice field and who could be in store for surprisingly productive roles.

A lot can change once training camps actually arrive, so we're basing our choices on current situations only. Just be sure to keep an eye on the following under-the-radar players between now and your fantasy draft.

DeMarco Murray, RB, Tennessee Titans

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Can DeMarco Murray recapture fantasy stardom in Tennessee?

After last year's disappointing campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles, running back DeMarco Murray probably doesn't hold a huge spot on most fantasy radars. The former league rushing champion produced just 702 yards and six touchdowns on the ground in 2015—though he did carry some value in points-per-reception (PPR) leagues with 44 catches.

We're labeling Murray as a potential sleeper here because last season's disappointment—not to mention the Tennessee Titans' drafting of Heisman winner Derrick Henry—could lead to him being undervalued on draft day. According to the Titans, Murray has been hungry this offseason to be more like the back who racked up 1,845 rushing yards in 2014.

Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo recently explained, per Jason Wolfe of the Tennessean:

"

Obviously, people look at last year being a down year, but that’s what makes it more fuel to the fire for him. I think he’s going to come back even hungrier, even readier to prove everybody wrong, to prove all his doubters out there (wrong), and like I said, I’m just glad he’s on our side, especially the way he’s running the ball now.

"

Titans running backs coach Sylvester Croom has also been impressed with Murray this offseason.

"His professionalism, and his work ethic. I feel really fortunate to be able to work with him," Croom said, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official website. “I’m telling you, he’s a coach’s dream.”

It will be worth following Murray through training camp to see what kind of role he is able to carve out by the start of the 2016 season. The presence of Henry makes it unlikely that Murray will lead the league in rushing again, but he has the potential to be a 1,000-yard rusher.

Pay extra attention to Murray if you plan on playing in a PPR league.

Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans

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Tajae Sharpe (left) could wind up being one of the more reliable receivers on Tennessee's roster.

Murray isn't the only Titan who has been impressing coaches this offseason. Rookie fifth-round pick Tajae Sharpe has been drawing plenty of praise for his work as a receiver.

"He’s made the plays," Titans head coach Mike Mularkey said of Sharpe, per John Glennon of the Tennessean. "He’s been very impressive in the one-on-ones, where he’s going against No. 1 corners. A lot of guys, rookies especially, are very impatient. They shorten their routes. Their double moves are too quick. He is playing like he’s been in the league for a while.”

Sharpe racked up 111 receptions and 1,319 yards last season at Massachusetts, so he is no stranger to high-volume production. If he can continue shining in training camp, Sharpe might get the opportunity to produce in a big way as a rookie.

The Titans have plenty of interesting options at wide receiver—including 2015 second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham and offseason acquisition Rishard Matthews. However, there isn't a clear-cut No. 1 wideout among the bunch.

Sharpe has just as good a chance as anyone to establish himself as Marcus Mariota's go-to receiver this season. If he can, the rookie could also prove to be one of the more valuable sleepers in fantasy football.

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

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Ravens QB Joe Flacco could be a sneaky good fantasy option in 2016.

We still don't know whether Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is elite. However, we do know that he is flying under the radar as a 2016 fantasy option.

According to FantasyPros.com, Flacco holds an average draft position of just 23.3 among quarterbacks. This means that in most leagues, he isn't even backup material.

While last season's ACL tear probably plays a part in Flacco's lack of fantasy prominence, it's hard to believe that 20-plus quarterbacks are going to outperform him in fantasy this season. Flacco passed for nearly 2,800 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 10 games last season, and that was with a number of offensive stars sidelined with injuries.

This year, Flacco should see the return of standout receiver Steve Smith Sr. and will also benefit from the addition of speedy deep threat Mike Wallace. Now that we know second-year wideout Breshad Perriman did not tear his ACL, the former first-round pick could be in play as well. This could leave Kamar Aiken, who racked up 75 receptions in 2015, as one of Flacco's secondary targets.

According to John Eisenberg of the Ravens' official website, both Aiken and Wallace have been impressive in offseason workouts. Assuming Smith can return to pre-injury form and tight end Ben Watson still has something left in the tank, Baltimore could wind up with one of the deepest receiving corps in the league.

Of course, the best news to come out of the offseason is the fact that Flacco should return in time for the regular season.

“I expect to be out there the first day,” Flacco said about next month's training camp, per Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official website.

It would be wise to keep an eye on Flacco's recovery and the development of the Ravens offense over the next couple of months.

Sammie Coates, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Steelers wideout Sammie Coates could be a big-time fantasy sleeper in 2016.

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant is suspended for the entire 2016 season. That's unfortunate for the Steelers but a potential blessing for second-year wideout Sammie Coates.

Coates saw a limited role as a rookie in 2015. In fact, he saw just 37 offensive snaps in the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. When called upon in Pittsburgh's playoff game against the Denver Broncos, however, Coates responded with two long receptions that totaled 61 yards.

With Bryant out this year, Coates should have the opportunity to keep making big plays in Pittsburgh's offense.

According to Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, Coates has been impressive this offseason. Haley said, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com:

"

He’s had a tremendous offseason. A guy that any day you were in here, he was in here. You don’t see that with everybody, so you know he had turned it up a notch. I thought he finished the year in strong fashion; it wasn’t an easy year. It’s not an easy year for a guy that’s been playing in the NCAA at a high level to be running scout team. But as the year went on, I think everybody saw him growing and we saw it continue in the offseason and it's continued out here.

"

If Coates can come close to matching the type of production Bryant provided last season, he can be a valuable fantasy player. Despite being a second option behind fantasy star Antonio Brown, Bryant still managed to rack up 765 yards and six scores on 50 receptions.

Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants

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Rookie Sterling Shepard (left) could be one of the league's better No. 2 receivers in 2016.

One way to gain an edge in fantasy football is to target No. 2 receivers who have the potential to produce like a No. 1. This is the type of player New York Giants rookie wideout Sterling Shepard could be in 2016.

Shepard, a second-round pick out of Oklahoma, has been drawing the kind of praise most teams would pile on a potential No. 1 pass-catcher. In New York, though, Shepard is going to a second option behind fantasy phenom Odell Beckham Jr.

According to Beckham, however, Shepard can be equally special.

"He's going to be a phenomenal player," Beckham said of Shepard, per James Kratch of NJ.com. "I just feel like I really know what he's capable of, and I'd rather let him just shock the world than spill his secrets."

According to FantasyPros.com, Shepard has an average draft position of 45.5 among wide receivers. Considering Giants quarterback Eli Manning passed for more than 4,400 yards last season, it's hard to believe 44 other receivers will outdo his No. 2 target in 2016.

It will be worth following Shepard through preseason to see if he does lock down the No. 2 role in New York as expected. If he does, the rookie will be a player to move up your draft board.

Kenyan Drake, RB, Miami Dolphins

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Former Alabama standout Kenyan Drake could be a solid PPR producer in 2016.

Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake is a name to keep in mind if you plan on playing in a PPR league this year. This is because of what Drake has shown he can do and what presumed Dolphins starter Jay Ajayi has struggled to do.

Drake, a rookie third-round pick out of Alabama, proved at the collegiate level he can be a valuable pass-catcher out of the backfield. He hauled in 29 receptions for 276 yards and a touchdown last season. In Adam Gase's Miami offense, he could be an even bigger part of the passing game.

Chicago Bears backs Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford combined for 66 receptions under Gase in 2015.

The flip side of the equation is that Ajayi has struggled with drops this offseason, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. 

Ajayi was a fine pass-catcher in college—he racked up 50 receptions for Boise State in 2014 alone—so the drops seem to be more of a recent trend. However, if they continue into training camp, they could lead to more receiving opportunities for Drake.

The rookie appears hungry for his opportunity.

"Being a receiving back or being an every-down back, which I know I have the capabilities of being, I just want to go ahead and prove that I can be a contributor to this team," Drake said, per James Walker of ESPN.com.

This is a situation that will be worth following into camp.

Terrelle Pryor, WR, Cleveland Browns

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Converted QB Terrelle Pryor may finally be ready to make his mark as a receiver.

If you're playing in a large league or are looking for a deep sleeper, you might want to keep an eye on Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. The former quarterback has loads of athletic ability and may finally be in position to succeed as an NFL pass-catcher.

Physical talent has never been an issue for the speedy 6'4", 233-pound Pryor. However, learning the nuances of the receiver position has been a challenge. Fortunately, the Ohio State product seems to finally be grasping things this offseason.

"We're really excited about him," Browns receivers coach Al Saunders said of Pryor, via the team's official website. "He's dedicated himself in the classroom, and his work ethic is better and better and better. His efficiency is better and better and better. I look forward to getting him in training camp and see where we can go from there."

Pryor was never able to make a big impression last offseason, as he was injured almost all of camp and only appeared in one preseason game. However, he should have plenty of opportunities to make impressions over the next couple of months.

If Pryor can establish himself as a reliable pass-catcher, his combination of size and speed could make him one of the few home run hitters on Cleveland's offense.

Rookie wideout Corey Coleman is likely to dominate the fantasy attention heading into fantasy-draft season, but Pryor is a potential sleeper worth following throughout Browns camp.