Fantasy Football: One Deep Sleeper Candidate From Every NFL Team

Chris Conley, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Playing third fiddle in an Alex Smith-driven offense certainly isn't the best way to get on the fantasy radar, but you can't fault Chris Conley for trying. He began the preseason opener with an 83-yard-touchdown reception that was unfortunately called back due to a questionable offensive pass interference, but he still caught both of his targets for 48 yards in just two drives.

The real eye catcher, however, has been Smith's seeming desire to push the ball downfield, which is in sharp contrast to his hard earned reputation as a check down machine. Perhaps the presence of the gunslinging quarterback of the future Patrick Mahomes has incentivized Smith to take more risks, but that can only be a positive trend for Conley, who excels down the field but averaged a measly 12 yards per reception last season.

The former third-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs tore up the 2015 NFL combine with his 4.35 40 and an almost unbelievable 45-inch vertical jump, and if not for an injured marred college career would have been a much more coveted prospect. At 6'2", 213 pounds he has the size, speed and leaping ability to be a true weapon in this offense, and his development has been impressive through two seasons.

With Jeremy Maclin and his 76 targets now out of town, it remains to be seen how the team will utilize their weapons. While there is an assumption that Tyreek Hill will transition to become the top target, the data indicates that Hill was much more Julian Edelman than Brandin Cooks in terms of role. His 0.54 Reception NEP per target, along with his 9.7 yards per reception, demonstrates that the team utilized him in that slot/underneath receiver role as opposed to an explosive field stretcher. That certainly doesn't preclude them from changing how Hill is used, nor does it indicate an inability for Hill to become a more complete receiver, but it does present an opportunity for Conley to emerge in the more traditional outside receiver role.

If he excels, perhaps he can eat into those vacant 76 targets more than people are expecting. After posting 69 targets and 44 receptions as a second-year player, there is certainly room for him to grow. He is worth a stash in all dynasty formats, especially if we begin to see a chemistry between him and the impressive-looking Mahomes.