Top 5 Fantasy Football Sleepers Who Emerged in Preseason Week 4

Week 4 of the NFL preseason schedule is sometimes a great place to find potential fantasy football sleepers. 

Most starters aren't playing significant snaps for the majority of teams, so backups get a long look from coaches. When given the chance, those players sometimes step up and win themselves playing time with the first group.

With the preseason all but in the books—the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks finish the slate tonight—here is a look at some sleepers who emerged during the final week of exhibition football. 

RB Jerome Harrison, Detroit Lions

Harrison finally looked like he took hold of the Lions last running back spot, rushing for 72 yards on seven carries against the Buffalo Bills. His 47-yard burst certainly helped that stat line.

If Harrison does win that position, he could have some value.

The Lions have Jahvid Best as their No. 1 back, but he isn't your prototypical 20-25 carry guy and Detroit will lean on another player to help ease the load.

If Harrison is that guy, he could conceivably see the ball 5-10 times as a backup. And if Best were to go down (he was injured during his rookie season), Harrison would immediately step in.  

RB Larry Johnson, Miami Dolphins

Oh, how times have changed for Larry Johnson. 

Once forgotten about in the NFL after a brief stint with the Washington Redskins, Johnson is back with the Miami Dolphins and trying to make the best of his chance. 

He scored a 22-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of Miami's 17-3 over Dallas Thursday. 

With Daniel Thomas struggling to pick up the offense and Reggie Bush still a situational running back, Johnson could find himself carrying a much bigger load with the Dolphins than anyone expected.

TE Lance Kendricks, St. Louis Rams

All former Wisconsin tight end Lance Kendricks has done since being drafted by the Rams is impress coaches and be productive on the preseason playing field. 

On Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, those trends continued. 

Kendricks caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Sam Bradford to put the Rams up 7-0, and he finished the night with three catches for 73 yards on four targets. 

Heading into the regular season, Kendricks is emerging as one of Bradford's top playmakers. If he can stay on the field, he might have a big season in St. Louis. 

WR Johnny Knox, Chicago Bears

As the regular season gets closer in Chicago, it's looking more and more likely that Johnny Knox is going to make the biggest impact of any Bears receiver this season.

Knox caught a 19-yard touchdown from Caleb Hanie in the first quarter of the Bears' 24-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. Knox finished the game with two catches for 33 yards on four targets.

Both Devin Hester and Roy Williams will see plenty of targets this season, but don't forget: Knox nearly broke 1,000 yards last season on just 51 receptions.

If he keeps making plays in the red zone, Mike Martz and the Bears will have no choice but to use him.   

RB Anthony Dixon, San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers' bruising running back gained 45 yards and two one-yard touchdown runs on 13 carries Thursday against the Oakland Raiders.

Dixon scored both short touchdowns in the first quarter as the 49ers raced out to a 14-0 lead.

Freshly-paid Frank Gore is obviously the 49ers No. 1 back, but it's possible that Dixon could take the goal line carries. That would give him some fantasy value.

If Gore goes down, Dixon and fellow fantasy sleeper Kendall Hunter would take over his rushing responsibilities.