With training camps underway, and preseason games beginning soon, fantasy drafts are going to be heating up as well. Whether your league drafted already or your’re waiting until right before the season, we’ve compiled a list of names that you should have your eye on, or at least be familiar with. I wouldn’t consider these players as “sleepers”, but guys that could stand out in the preseason or at some point during the regular season. These guys might not even make their team’s final rosters. Or they could be a hot waiver wire pickup at some point. Regardless of what happens, I would hate to look back and say ” I told you so.”

(This list will be updated throughout the summer accordingly)

 

Matt Brieda: SF, RB

Brieda is a player that I have been talking up leading into the NFL Draft. The running back from Georgia Southern went undrafted and decided to sign with the 49ers soon after the draft’s completion. Don’t just shrug him off because he wasn’t drafted. Watch his film. Watch the film from the 2014 and 2015 seasons when he ran for a total of 3,094 yards on 374 carries and 34 touchdowns. For those trying to do the math, that’s 8.2 YPC. It was his performance in 2016 that caused him not to be selected within the 253 draft day picks. With the change in the coaching staff and offensive systems (option to pro style), Brieda ran for only 650 yards and 3 touchdowns on 168 carries. Fortunately for him, the 49ers, along with roughly 15 other teams, kept tabs on him and expressed interest during the draft process despite his poor 2016 season. Demonstrating speed (4.38) and power (23 reps on bench press), Brieda is currently buried on the SF depth chart behind Carlos Hyde, Tim Hightower, Kapri Bibbs, and 4th round rookie running back Joe Williams. He does however fit Kyle Shanahan’s desired skill set as a runner that can one cut and go. He’s not someone that you should be drafting, and he may not even make the 53 man roster with all the running backs on that roster. However, we know how injuries and cuts are in the NFL, and it would not surprise me if he’s listed on fantasy’s waiver wire reports at some point during the season. (Update: Brieda was the first running back in the game after Carlos Hyde in the 49ers first pre-season game. )

T.J. Logan: Ari, RB

More than Likely he’s a name that you have at least heard of. Unlike the aforementioned Matt Brieda, Logan was selected in the NFL draft. The Arizona Cardinals nabbed the North Carolina running back in the 5th round, ahead of teammate Elijah Hood, who drew more pre-draft buzz heading into it. Logan is a fast (4.37), elusive, dual threat running back, but lacks the ideal ability to run through the tackles. Currently 4th on the depth chart behind Chris Johnson (3rd). Andre Ellington (2nd) and of course David Johnson. Johnson owners should particularly get to know this name because it would be Logan that could see the majority of work if anything were to happen to D.J. Ellington should see more work at wide receiver and at this point in time, how much does Chris Johnson have left?  If your’re one to handcuff your backs, Logan may be worth a late round pick as a D.J. owner.

Malcolm Brown: LAR, RB

Brown is in his 3rd season after being an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2015. Having notched only 22 carries through his first two seasons, Brown could be in for a much bigger role in 2017 after drawing the praises from Head Coach Sean McVay. With Lance Dunbar landing on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and no timetable on his return, Brown has the chance to run away with the #2 duties behind Todd Gurley and will be the handcuff to Gurley owners.

Seantavius Jones: KC, WR

Talk about being buried on the depth chart. Jones currently sits a the very bottom of the Chiefs wide receiver pecking order. He’s been in the league for few years with the Saints, Eagles and Chiefs, but has yet to do much other than land on practice squads. So why am I even talking about him? Good question. The Chiefs wide receiver position is very thin to say the least. Behind Tyreek Hill, who himself has only 61 receptions in career, there isn’t anybody on the roster that is running away with or guaranteed anything. In fact, the entire wide receiver depth chart for the Chiefs has amassed a total of 250 career receptions amongst all of them. Jones has had a nice camp so far and has even had some run with the first team offense.

Amara Darboh: SEA, WR

Darboh is a 3rd round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in this spring’s NFL draft. He is solid and does everything well, but doesn’t seem to excel in any one area. Although training camp depth charts don’t say it all, it is interesting to see Darboh listed 3rd on that list. He’s an interesting prospect to keep an eye on due to the the players currently ahead of him. Doug Baldwin aside, Jermaine Kearse is a nice player but has never taken advantage of the opportunities given to him. Tyler Lockett is coming back from a gruesome leg injury and Paul Richardson hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Chances are Darboh is a name you’ll be hearing in preseason and a waiver wire pick up at some point in 2017.