Fantasy Football: Top 15 Deep Sleepers to Target in 2017

TOP 15 DEEP SLEEPERS TO TARGET IN 2017 – NUMBER 4: DEANDRE WASHINGTON

While everyone will be raving about newly unretired Marshawn Lynch returning to the NFL to play for his hometown Oakland Raiders, DeAndre Washington will be hanging out in the background. Washington isn’t a household name and was behind Latavius Murray on the depth chart last season, but this year, he could play a prominent role in the Raiders backfield.

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Washington rushed for 467 yards with two touchdowns last year and should build on that in year two of his NFL career. The Raiders are more of a passing team for sure with Derek Carr taking the snaps, but with Lynch out of retirement, the run game could become more of a threat in the Black Hole.

There is also Jalen Richard to compete with on the depth chart in Oakland, but Washington will get his fair share of carries this season. The carries aren’t going to be enough to warrant picking him anywhere other than the end of the draft or off the waiver wire though.

Keep an eye on the Raiders running back situation. Jalen Richard could wind up as the backup, but injuries happen and so does underperforming. I actually picked up DeAndre Washington in one of my leagues last year as a handcuff for Murray, who was injured frequently. I didn’t get many points out of it, but Washington will be a better option in his second year as a professional.