The Athletic Fantasy Football Podcast · The Athletic

Sleepers and Busts

·53 min·5 clips

Jake Ciely reveals why Anthony Richardson could be a top-five quarterback or a total bust this season.

This episode of The Athletic Fantasy Football Podcast focuses on identifying fantasy football sleepers and busts for the upcoming season. Host Chris Welsh is joined by analysts Jake Ciely and Brandon Funston to debate player values. They begin by questioning the modern definition of a "sleeper" in an era of ubiquitous information, suggesting it now means the best draft values rather than unknown players. Jake Ciely's quarterback sleepers are Anthony Richardson, for his top-five upside despite injury and benching risks, and Jordan Love, for his potential with Green Bay's weapons. Brandon Funston selects Sam Howell for his dual-threat ability and Washington's setup, and Ryan Tannehill as a deep sleeper due to his stable situation with DeAndre Hopkins. For busts, Funston targets Brock Purdy, citing his recovery from elbow surgery and potential defensive adjustments, while Ciely names Dak Prescott, arguing his lack of rushing and a run-heavy offense limit his ceiling. At running back, Ciely's sleeper picks are Rachaad White for his projected volume in Tampa Bay and Khalil Herbert, whose efficiency and role in Chicago's offense are undervalued. Funston chooses James Cook for his explosive play potential in Buffalo and Samaje Perine as a deeper option, expressing caution about players returning from major injuries like Javonte Williams. Funston's bust is Breece Hall, whose workload and recovery timeline are further complicated by the Dalvin Cook signing. Ciely also names Kenneth Walker III as a bust, pointing to his inefficiencies in short-yardage situations and the drafting of Zach Charbonnet. The analysts debate the impact of Ezekiel Elliott signing with New England, with Ciely adjusting Rhamondre Stevenson's projection down slightly due to lost goal-line work. They collectively express skepticism about narratives that the Cook signing benefits Breece Hall, viewing it as a clear threat to his early-season touches and overall value. The tone is conversational and analytical, featuring friendly debates and immediate reactions to recent NFL news. Listeners will enjoy the specific data points, like Herbert's elusive rating matching Josh Jacobs, and the practical draft strategies discussed. This episode is ideal for fantasy managers preparing for drafts who want actionable advice on value picks and risky players. Those seeking definitive answers or uninterested in nuanced debates about player roles might find the back-and-forth less engaging.

As heard by us

A draft-room take on sleepers as undervalued players, with Rashad White and Herbert as the clearest value cases.

The episode frames sleepers as undervalued players rather than a tired label, and the panel stays anchored in the draft room instead of nostalgia.

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Why you'd press play

You need one sharper read before your draft board starts to blur.

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