Fantasy Football: One Deep Sleeper Candidate From Every NFL Team
Ishmael Zamora, WR, Oakland Raiders
Given the pre-draft hype from the greater Twitter community, perhaps no player has had a more disappointing summer than Oakland Raiders undrafted rookie receiver Ismael Zamora.
Likely the most impressive height/weight/speed prospect at the receiver position in the 2017 NFL Draft, Zamora went undrafted due to off-field issues that included being charged with animal abuse. He was suspended for three games by Baylor, but he still finished second on the team with 63 receptions for 809 yards and 8 touchdowns.
At 6'4", 224 pounds, Zamora towers over most defensive backs, and he can really get down the field with his 4.53 speed. He was a state champion in high school in the 110-meter hurdles as a junior, and Zamora will make plays with the ball in the air that remind you of Dez Bryant and Julio Jones.
But receivers coming out of Baylor's spread offense have been incredibly raw when it comes to the nuances of the position, and nothing out of Raiders camp would lead you to believe that Zamora will even make the final roster. He still has time to make an impression, but with only one reception this preseason, don't be surprised if he doesn't survive Oakland's cuts.
If he does make the team, however, there is certainly room for him to develop into a potential replacement for Michael Crabtree, who will turn 30 this September. His contract allows the Raiders to move on after the 2017 season if they desire, and given the team's need to sign their young core to massive contracts, that cap space could come in handy.
Zamora is nothing more than a watch list candidate at this point, but the upside is always immense with a player of his physical ability. Of course, we've seen plenty of unreal athletes fail to make it in the NFL (I'm looking at you, Brian Quick), but you never know when you might stumble upon the next Tyrell Williams or Miles Austin.