18 Deep Wide Receiver Sleepers (2022 Fantasy Football) (2024)

Let’s take a look at 18 deep wide receiver sleeper candidates ahead of the 2022 fantasy football season.

• 5 Deep Tight End Sleepers

Rankings noted using FantasyPros half-PPR Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) and Consensus ADP.

18 Deep Wide Receiver Sleepers

James Proche II (WR – BAL)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR140
ADP: N/A

Does it get any deeper than a guy who’s not even showing up on our ADP Consensus list? Proche will likely battle it out with Devin Duvernay for the No. 2 receiving job behind Rashod Bateman. It’s worth wondering how lucrative the No. 2 receiver in Baltimore can be from a fantasy perspective, as Mark Andrews will still garner a ton of targets. But Proche’s incredible production in college gives me reason to hope.

Jamison Crowder (WR – BUF)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR69
ADP: 183rd overall, WR69

Crowder could be an awesome fit as the new slot receiver in Buffalo. We saw Cole Beasley put up respectable seasons with Josh Allen throwing him the ball. And I think Crowder plays the slot role just as well, if not better than Beasley. In a Buffalo offense that’s sure to throw a ton, Crowder could greatly outperform his current rank.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR – CLE)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR75
ADP: 191st overall, WR73

Peoples-Jones is an exciting player with big-play potential. He needs to improve his consistency and efficiency, but I suspect he could be due for a Year 3 breakout if Deshaun Watson is his quarterback for most of the season. He quietly put up 597 yards last season and should have plenty of opportunity as Cleveland’s No. 2 receiver.

Jalen Tolbert (WR – DAL)

Expert Consensus Rankings: WR105
ADP: 225th overall, ADP89

Jalen Tolbert has a ton of potential to emerge right away in his rookie season. He’s a prolific athlete who went to a smaller school but put up big numbers against high-caliber opponents. CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup will be the top dogs in the Cowboys’ passing game. But it wouldn’t stun me if Tolbert beat out James Washington for third on the depth chart in training camp. He’s a great stash late in drafts.

K.J. Hamler (WR – DEN)

Expert Consensus Rankings: WR90
ADP: 283rd overall, WR115

Hamler is pretty much being forgotten in drafts right now, as Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick are garnering most of the attention from fantasy players. It’s easy to forget about Hamler considering he tore his ACL in Week 3 last season. But Hamler’s an explosive weapon out of the slot and could be the field stretcher in an offense now led by Russell Wilson, who throws some of the prettiest deep balls in the league.

Jameson Williams (WR – DET)

Expert Consensus Rankings: WR61
ADP: 134th overall, WR58

You could argue whether Williams is a “deep” sleeper given his ADP right now. But I suspect his draft stock will fall once training camp begins, as Williams likely won’t be healthy at the time. Part of drafting Williams will be having the patience to wait for his return. However, he could pay big dividends once he’s healthy. Williams would’ve been the top receiver selected in this year’s draft had he not gotten injured in the national championship game. And Detroit’s receiving depth chart is filled with one outcast after another, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Romeo Doubs (WR – GB)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR120
ADP: 301st overall, WR124

There’s plenty of hype surrounding rookie Christian Watson entering the summer. But let’s not forget about Doubs, a fourth-round pick out of Nevada. Doubs isn’t the slickest athlete, but he’s got size, speed, and great ball skills, traits that are critical when playing with Aaron Rodgers.

Mecole Hardman (WR – KC)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR64
ADP: 161st overall, WR63

Could 2022 finally be the year Mecole Hardman gets his chance in Kansas City? He’s got the speed to replace Tyreek Hill as the vertical threat in the offense.

Joshua Palmer (WR – LAC)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR76
ADP: 180th overall, WR66

Palmer put up a solid rookie campaign, catching 33 passes for 353 yards and four touchdowns. He will probably be fourth in the passing-game hierarchy, but that could be a valuable role in what could be a prolific Chargers offense.

Van Jefferson (WR – LAR)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR62
ADP: 176th overall, WR68

Jefferson’s value seems deflated across the fantasy market, and I’m not sure why. He caught 50 passes for 802 yards and six touchdowns last season and emerged as a deep-threat option for Matthew Stafford. Sure, Allen Robinson is now in town. But the Rams had Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, and Odell Beckham Jr. in their receiving room last year. Without a true threat to his playing time, even a niche role in this Rams offense deserves more respect than what Jefferson’s getting.

Cedrick Wilson (WR – MIA)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR99
ADP: 254th overall, WR88

Yes, Tyreek Hill is now a Dolphin. Yes, Jaylen Waddle is electric. But let’s not forget that Wilson signed a three-year deal worth $22.8 million with Miami this offseason. And he could be a steady short-field safety valve for Tua Tagovailoa. He’s the clear WR3 in Miami and will be one of Tagovailoa’s first looks if Waddle and Hill aren’t open.

Tyquan Thornton (WR – NE)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR115
ADP: N/A

Finding a sleeper among New England’s questionable group of skill weapons is a tough task. So why not shoot for the moon with the rookie Thornton? The second-round pick out of Baylor brings a speed element that New England’s current receiver group is lacking. We’ll see if Mac Jones chucks the ball downfield more often in Year 2. If he does, many of those targets could go to Thornton.

Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – NYG)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR91
ADP: 264th overall, WR106

I try not to read too much into narratives and rumors. But it’s worth noting that the Giants went out and drafted Robinson in the second round, when he was projected to be a Round 4 pick at best. His skill set also has some overlap with Kadarius Toney, who the trade rumors were circling around briefly. This Giants receiving corps is a mess I don’t want much attachment to. But Robinson’s got a skill set that could make him New York’s version of Deebo Samuel. I’m intrigued.

Braxton Berrios (WR – NYJ)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR88
ADP: 300th overall, WR109

After doing virtually nothing for most of the 2021 season, Berrios emerged late, hauling in 20 balls in his final four games. He ultimately earned a new contract from the Jets, and could be this year’s version of Hunter Renfrow as Zach Wilson‘s short-yardage slot outlet. The Jets suddenly have an interesting receiving room, but Berrios could have appeal if this offense takes a step forward.

Quez Watkins (WR – PHI)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR107
ADP: 295th overall, WR91

Watkins quietly put up 647 yards in his second season. Yes, A.J. Brown is now in town. But Watkins fills a role as Philadelphia’s deep threat in this offense. He’s the clear No. 3, but if Jalen Hurts takes a leap forward, Watkins could present some strong value.

George Pickens (WR – PIT)

Expert Consensus Rankings: WR80
ADP: 164th overall, WR67

The rookie Pickens is a polarizing prospect. He’s an exciting prospect with some off-field baggage and injury issues. However, the talent is there. And it wouldn’t stun me if Pickens overtook Chase Claypool as the team’s WR2. He’s got excellent ball skills, size, and is a sharp route runner. If he can bulk up into his 6-foot-3 frame, he could develop into a terrific receiver.

Tyrion Davis-Price (RB – SF)

Expert Consensus Ranking: RB81
ADP: 189th overall, RB63

Is Elijah Mitchell about to get… Elijah Mitchell’d? After his excellent rookie season, the 49ers went out and drafted Davis-Price in the third round of the draft. He’s an inconsistent runner, but he offers a good blend of size and explosiveness. Davis-Price has some significant upside as a prospect. However, we said similar things about Trey Sermon.

D’Wayne Eskridge (WR – SEA)

Expert Consensus Ranking: WR116
ADP: 359th overall, WR128

Seattle is another team lacking options for this list. Eskridge is a 2021 second-round pick who played in just seven games as a rookie after getting concussed. He’s dealing with a hamstring injury right now, but he could compete for the No. 3 spot on Seattle’s depth chart if he can finally get healthy.