Preseason Pro: The top ranked players in the world each reveal their No. 1 sleeper, bust, breakout, comeback and stash & cash player of the year!
Dr. Roto | Bill Enright | Brad Kruse | Shawn Childs | Mark Deming | Kimra Schleicher | Darren Summer | Adam Ronis | Scott Atkins
Kimra Schleicher
- 2016 Fantasy Football World Champion
- Five Top-10 World Championship finishes
SLEEPER
WR Anthony Miller, Chicago Bears: My sleeper was originally going to be Mike Williams from the LA Chargers, but since two of my counterparts have already selected him, I will go with Anthony Miller from the Chicago Bears. On draft day, the Bears traded up to select Anthony Miller with the 51st overall pick out of Memphis. He is off to a hot start in training camp, and I fully expect him to be the slot receiver in Matt Nagy’s offense. Don’t overpay for Allen Robinson when you can find enough targets and a much cheaper price tag for Anthony Miller. With Miller’s 4.5 40 time coupled with his 39 inch vertical, I expect the Bears to move him all around their formations in 2018. He will not disappoint those fantasy owners who select him later in the draft as a sleeper pick.
BUST
RB Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs: I am going out on a limb here and select Kareem Hunt as my first round bust. With the development of Patrick Mahomes and several potential targets to Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins, I see Hunt on the outside looking in as far as an RB1. I like Hunt as my RB2, but I think you will be disappointed with him as your RB1. Yes, this is a very bold selection, but there were games last year when Hunt disappeared in the offense. I think there are much safer picks like Melvin Gordon at the back end of round 1.
BREAKOUT
RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals: Maybe it is where I live near Louisville, KY but all I hear is Joe Mixon! With Jeremy Hill out of town, I fully expect OC Bill Lazor to get Mixon more involved this season after improving the offensive line. Giovani Bernard will still be involved with 8-10 touches per game, but there is no question that the offense will be built around Mixon. He checks all the NFL RB boxes: he has size, athleticism, talent and he has dropped weight in the offseason. Mixon is ready to break out in 2018.
COMEBACK
WR Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins: Jamison Crowder is my comeback player in 2018. Crowder has established a good rapport with newly acquired QB Alex Smith in OTAs. Crowder experienced hamstring issues in 2017 but is ready to bounce back in 2018. He worked on his strength during offseason training, and his fellow teammates and coaching staff have noticed his improvements. Draft Jamison Crowder with confidence in 2018.
STASH & CASH
WR Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: I probably will never top my Alvin Kamara pick from last year. He single-handedly won me a lot of money last year as I targeted him in almost every draft beginning in round 8/9. Most great fantasy owners wait on a QB, but this year I am going to tell you to wait even longer than before. My stash and cash player this season is Matt Ryan. He is one season removed from being the NFL MVP and has a terrific supporting cast around him in Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Fantasy owners are practically giving you Matt Ryan so load up on your RBs and WRs and stash Matt Ryan away.
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