11 Fantasy Football Sleepers to Target This Year

Bilal Powell, RB, New York Jets

By JJ Zachariason

Yes, it feels like you're swallowing your tongue when you say his name, but you're probably going to be saying it a lot this year, so get used to it. Because Bilal Powell is going to have a decent-sized role in the Jets' offense, and his average draft cost doesn't reflect that.

Powell's biggest obstacle to touches is newly-signed Matt Forte, who's entering the offense as a 30-year-old back with 2,035 career carries. Forte's never finished worse than the 18th-best running back in standard fantasy football leagues, but this could be the year that changes. Because Powell's going to have a role.

At least that's what New York beat writers are saying, noting that the backfield could be almost split in half this year. And it kind of makes sense considering the deals both these backs got from the Jets this offseason were nearly identical.

Even if the split isn't that severe, Powell will have a role in the passing game, despite that being where Forte has thrived throughout his career. Powell low-key had 47 catches last year, and he had three top-seven PPR performances at the running back position over the final four weeks of the season.

He has a floor, which is tough to get in the double-digit rounds of your draft, but if the aged Forte finally breaks down, Powell could be in store for a pretty nice year.