4 Deep Sleeper Wide Receivers

Photo: Matt Kryger, USA Today Sports

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A fantasy draft is all about obtaining the most value with each selection. Value is available throughout a draft, and grabbing it is one of the most important keys to a successful fantasy team. This article specifically targets deep sleeper value (players that can be found very late in a fantasy draft). To point out this value, we asked our staff to look deeper than the Top 150 and identify players that should significantly outperform their late draft position. These players should be your targets after the 12th round of your draft.

Here are the players who received the most votes:

• Parris Campbell
• Romeo Doubs
• Jonathan Mingo

And here are all of the players mentioned and the reasons why.

Players Receiving 4 Votes

Parris Campbell, New York Giants

Craig Lakins: The Giants made the 26-year-old Campbell their highest-paid wide receiver this offseason. Despite four disappointing seasons in Indianapolis marred by injuries, New York is keen on making him a large part of their offense. Reports out of mini-camp suggest they could utilize him out of the backfield while he fills the role vacated by Richie James. Campbell should get a healthy dose of designed touches to make him an attractive late-round target.

Sigmund Bloom: Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins both qualify too. The bottom line is that Daniel Jones and the Giants pass offense should be better in year two under Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka. With Wan'Dale Robinson possibly starting the season on the PUP list, Campbell should get the role that Robinson turned into instant fantasy relevance last year, including some touches out of the backfield, which the Giants have been preparing him for in OTAs. Campbell finally turned the durability corner last year, and he could get closer to his high ceiling in his first year with the Giants.

Kevin Coleman: I may take a swing on Campbell again this off-season. The New York Giants wide receiver room is a complete mystery, but we have seen flashes of his talent when healthy. We saw last season that Daniel Jones targeted his slot receiver, and if Campbell can win that job, then there will be targets to be earned. He's worth a long-shot dart throw in PPR leagues for that alone, and his playmaking ability could elevate this offense. Head coach Brian Daboll knows how to get the best out of his players, and Campbell feels like one of those talents he could work with.

Andy Hicks: Campbell was a second-round pick in the 2019 draft but had an awful first three years in the NFL, playing less than a third of the games possible. He finally got a run of fitness in 2022 but ran into an awful Colts offense to tank any chance of good numbers. Taking his chances on a very average Giants receiving group may be one of the smartest free-agent moves in the offseason. He is all upside, and number one receiver upside at that, for the cost of a kicker.

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

Joseph Haggan: As a fourth-round rookie, Doubs was actually the Packers' best receiving threat for a stretch early in the season. Doubs made seven consecutive starts from Week 3 to Week 9, earning 42 of his 67 targets on the season during that stretch. He turned those 42 targets into 250 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Doubs then was out with injury, only to come back as the team's third receiver down the stretch. He finished his rookie season with 425 receiving yards and three touchdowns. With Jayden Reed, the only obvious addition and likely the team's slot receiver, Doubs should be locked in as the starting wide receiver across from fellow sophomore Christian Watson. Doubs has the opportunity to put up potential WR3 numbers on the season.

Sigmund Bloom: With the change to Jordan Love at quarterbacks, it's not certain who the No. 1 receiver will be for the Packers. Doubs looked like Love's favorite target in OTAs, and Love even said throwing to Doubs has built his confidence in the second-year receiver. Love admitted that his deep ball form hasn't been ideal, and that's the area of the field where Christian Watson (who is going 10 or more rounds ahead of Doubs) does his damage. Doubs leading the team in catches is well within the range of outcomes.

Jeff Bell: Hunt ambiguity. Few teams have as much as the Packers at wide receiver. Doubs out-snapped and out-targeted Christian Watson last year in one less game played. Early camp reports indicate Doubs has emerged as a favorite target for Jordan Love. Doubs' current ADP at 158 suggests he will go undrafted in many leagues. He should establish himself in two wide receiver sets and could be a steadying presence within the offense.

Andy Hicks: Romeo Doubs was a very popular sleeper pick in 2022. With 30 catches, over 300 yards, and three touchdowns in his first seven games, he was on track for a great debut season. Then he got injured, and Christian Watson started to shine once Doubs recovered. Now he is almost an afterthought in fantasy rankings in his second season. There aren't many downsides for Doubs and starting fantasy receiver upside.

Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers

Jason Wood: Adam Thielen and D.J. Chark Jr are the presumed starters, but both come with question marks. Thielen is past his prime, and Chark has struggled to stay healthy. Neither has more chemistry or familiarity with the system than rookie Jonathan Mingo. Mingo is a well-rounded receiver who can run the full route tree. This wouldn't be the first time a rookie quarterback (Bryce Young) developed a lasting rapport with a young receiver rather than the older, flawed veterans "ahead" of him on the depth chart.

Ben Cummins: Mingo didn't have an impressive production profile at Ole Miss, compiling only 897 total receiving yards in his first three seasons prior to amassing 861 yards and 5 touchdowns as a Senior. Yet he was just selected 39th overall at the top of the second round by the new Panthers' regime to be a big-time playmaker for Bryce Young. Mingo has impressive size as he was listed at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds at the combine and showed impressive athleticism running a 4.46 40-yard dash, a 39 1/2-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot-9 broad jump. And he'll have plenty of chances to flash his size and athleticism on the field as a rookie contributing to a thin Carolina receiver depth chart headlined only by 33-year-old Adam Thielen and journeyman DJ Chark.

Jeff Haseley: Jonathan Mingo's athletic profile far exceeds any other receiver on the Panthers roster. His lack of experience may not translate to immediate success. However, the Panthers' talented coaching staff and the veteran presence of Adam Thielen, among others, may be enough to develop Mingo faster than it otherwise would. Mingo has the speed and breakaway ability to make plays after the catch, but he also has a knack for making tough, contested catches look routine. He did not put all of his potential success together at Mississippi and only showed periods of brilliance without a consistent, complete resume. Quarterback Bryce Young is a student of the game and may be the key to helping unlock Mingo's full potential. He is the future of the Panthers' receiving corps with an A.J. Brown-like skill set. In many people's minds, the question for Mingo is when not if.

Andy Hicks: If Jonathan Mingo and fellow rookie Bryce Young connect early, then it will not take long for Mingo to be one of the steals of your fantasy draft. Adam Thielen is approaching his mid-30s, and DJ Chark is an uncertain proposition at the best of times. Probably a better dynasty selection, but his value and upside factor in strongly here. Watch for news during training camp.