Written by: Austin Thomas
The final divisional sleeper article on SportsTimeHQ for the before the season starts. We've covered the AFC and NFC North, East and South divisions. Last week the AFC West was posted and now here we are with the NFC West. I've enjoyed this journey with you and excited for the season to start next week! Just like the rest, we'll be using the ADP's from FTN Fantasy and finding values outside the top-100 players. The last four sleeper players are:
Arizona Cardinals
Trey McBride (ADP 234.7; TE28)
Trey McBride is poised for a breakout season. The Arizona Cardinals are in a position to be a bottom-rated team this season with quarterback Kyler Murray being out for an undetermined time period. With Arizona likely playing from behind in most games, the passing volume is going to be up this season. DeAndre Hopkins was released earlier this off-season and the only notable wide receiver on the roster is Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Not to mention Zach Ertz is still recovering from a late-season leg injury and will probably miss the beginning of the season. The second option in the passing game is up for grabs and that player could be last year's top tight end prospect Trey McBride. He showed flashes down the stretch last season once Ertz was out of the lineup and he should be a big part of the game plan this season.
Los Angeles Rams
Tyler Higbee (ADP 135.3; TE15)
Sticking with the tight end position, Tyler Higbee remains a solid fantasy player. In 2022 with Matthew Stafford, Higbee averaged 7 targets per game. With Cooper Kupp assuming the majority of the coverage, Higbee is going to get a lot of open looks or one-on-one coverage to take advantage of. Allen Robinson is no longer with the team and the rest of the receiving core just hasn't produced or is unproven. Tyler Higbee is almost a lock to be the second option behind Kupp and that's what you want in your fantasy tight ends. Upside is a top-12 option going at the low price of TE15. This is an easy selection.
San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell (ADP 131.4; RB43)
Christian McCaffrey is the top dog in the backfield, but I think this is going to be a 1A and 1B duo. Kyle Shanahan likes to run the football and utilize a number of running backs within his offense. With Brock Purdy starting the season less than 100%, the run game could be relied on more heavily, which gives more touches to McCaffrey and Mitchell. McCaffrey is one of the elite fantasy running backs and if he were to go down, Mitchell would step into a larger role on what is typically a top offense. Even so, Mitchell will get enough volume with McCaffrey to get weekly flex consideration and a perfect target in zero-RB strategies.
Seattle Seahawks
Zach Charbonnet (ADP 105.7; RB37)
Another backfield appearing to be a split workload. The rookie running back was many scouts RB3 prior to the 2023 NFL draft and so far Zach Charbonnet has looked the part. Kenneth Walker is the lead back, but he had trouble getting into the endzone last season and wasn't very successful converting the short yardage plays. Charbonnet is a big physical back that fits Pete Carroll's running scheme and philosophy. There are very few teams that have a pair of running backs that can both finish in the top-24 at the position in fantasy football, but the Seattle Seahawks are most certainly one of them.
This concludes all of the divisional sleeper articles for the season. Both conferences, eight divisions, and all 32 teams have been covered. I hope at least one of these sleeper help you on your way to a fantasy football championship this season. It's been a fun ride and I appreciate each and every one of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Enjoy the article? Give me a follow on Twitter @Austin_Thomas18 for more Fantasy Football content - Appreciate you!
Miss a week? Check out the posted divisions down below!
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